The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has commissioned a multipurpose sport complex at the Murtala Muhammed Airport command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ikeja Lagos.
LEADERSHIP reports that the Murtala Muhammed Airport command multipurpose sport complex was named after the CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi by the Customs Area Controller, Compt. Michael Awe.
However, while speaking during the commissioning of the sport arena at the Lagos airport, the Customs CG said the newly commissioned sport complex will serve officers within and outside the airport command as well as stakeholders and other officers from other government agencies.
According to the Customs CG, sporting activities make officers fit into the rigorous physical and mental work they do regularly and balance their work life with healthy living.
“As a service, we have the unfortunate scenario of burying some officers ahead of their time and we had incidents of people who collapsed in the office or who slept in their houses and suddenly got into emergency situations and this is traced to not taking care of themselves.
“Sugar level, heart rates and others. These are things that lifestyle can correct and that is why we preach to them that so much is expected of them in the performance of their duties like working late hours, driving in between trucks and others.
“We preach to them to balance all of that up with healthy living because, through their health nutrition and how they indulge in some kind of exercise, they will remain fit all the time,” he stated.
The CGC reiterated that the physical and mental fitness is a very important aspect of their job that the sport complex will be to achieve: “Physical fitness is a very important aspect of our job because all the time, we need to be physically fit and it’s only when we are physically fit that we can be mentally fit to cope with the demands of our jobs. I am happy that this type of facility is put in place by the CAC not just for bringing people together after work but to let us imbibe the spirit of keeping fit through healthy rivalry and keeping body and soul together.
“The CAC undertook this project in conjunction with stakeholders and they contributed towards the project in so many ways. It’s not for officers but other government agencies officers working around the airport. This is a multipurpose sport complex that comprises lawn, table tennis, volleyball etc. I have seen the facilities and all are invited and they will take maximum advantage and officers who are in other commands and don’t have these facilities can make good use of it,” the CGC stated.
Speaking earlier, the Customs Area Controller of the command, Compt Micheal Awe, said the sport complex represents a beacon of unity, wellness and progress for officers of the command whose responsibility demands physical endurance, mental alertness and team work.
According to Awe, the sports arena will serve as a vital tool for recreation, fitness, camaraderie and as a tool to enhance both individuals and organization effectiveness.
“The unveiling of this facility is part of our engagement with our stakeholders and I want to appreciate the CGC for the privilege and opportunity given to serve in this command. I appreciate the command’s stakeholders whose generous contribution brought this project to life.
“This sport arena is more than a structure but represents a beacon of unity, wellness and progress for the officers and men whose responsibility demands physical endurance, mental alertness and team work. This arena will serve as a vital tool for recreation, fitness, camaraderie and serve as a critical tool to enhance both individuals and organization effectiveness. The construction of these facilities demonstrates how public and private partnership can impart our community.
Lastly, this facility won’t serve staff of Murtala Muhammed command alone but will serve as a symbol of how collaboration between stakeholders can foster growth, trust and sense of community,” the CAC stated.
