The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has called for stronger collaboration with traders to promote legitimate trade and strengthen relationships between the two groups, as its football team defeated Ndigboamaka All Stars 1-0 in a novelty match at the grand finale of the United Nigeria Airlines Ndigboamaka Traders Cup in Lagos.

The tournament, held at the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium, Lagos, on Saturday, brought together traders from the association’s 54 member markets across Lagos State, with Ojo Alaba International Main Market (Olojo Drive FC) emerging champions after defeating United Allied Spare Parts Dealers Association (UASPDA) FC on penalties.

Speaking at the event, the Controller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, represented by the Deputy Controller (Administration), Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Timothy Worusen, said the service was committed to facilitating legitimate trade and building a cordial relationship with the trading community.

He urged traders to approach any Customs command for guidance on prohibited and restricted imports, stressing that the service was willing to provide the necessary information to ensure compliance with import regulations.

Worusen explained that the NCS works with relevant government agencies in handling seizures, noting that arms and ammunition are handed over to the police, drugs to the appropriate authorities, while food-related cases are referred to relevant regulatory agencies.

He said the service wanted traders to see Customs as a partner they could approach for clarification and assistance rather than an organisation to avoid.

He also congratulated the Customs football team on its victory over Ndigboamaka All Stars, describing the tournament as an opportunity to strengthen ties between the service and the trading community.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of United Nigeria Airlines, Mazi Osita Okonkwo, said the airline supported the competition for the second consecutive year because of its potential to promote national unity and deliver social, economic and health benefits through sports.

According to him, the tournament aligns with the airline’s mission to connect people across Nigeria and the African continent, while creating opportunities for businesses and communities to interact.

Okonkwo said the airline also used the sponsorship to encourage traders to appreciate the benefits of air travel, particularly in moving between business locations across the country.

He disclosed that United Nigeria Airlines had introduced a special travel package for members of the association as part of efforts to support small and medium-scale enterprises and make business-related movement easier.

The airline currently serves 16 destinations in Nigeria, with plans to expand its network to connect more parts of the country.

He said the long-term ambition was to ensure that different regions were connected, allowing traders and businesses to explore opportunities beyond their immediate locations.

Okonkwo added that Nigeria had sufficient economic opportunities to support businesses across its regions, noting that improved connectivity would promote trade, cultural exchange and national integration.

He thanked the association for retaining the airline as its partner and expressed optimism that the relationship would grow stronger.

In his remarks, the President of Ndigboamaka Traders Association, Chinedu Ukatu, described the competition as a platform for promoting unity among traders and encouraging peaceful relationships beyond the marketplace.

Ukatu said the tournament, now in its third edition, was designed to bring members of the association together to compete on the football pitch rather than engage in disputes.

He recalled that United Nigeria Airlines sponsored the first edition, adding that the competition would continue regardless of changes in the association’s leadership because the institution was expected to outlive its individual members.

He said the organisers were working towards expanding the competition beyond Lagos to involve traders in other states, with the ambition of developing it into a bigger tournament.

Ukatu disclosed that participating players would receive cash prizes, while the association planned to recommend outstanding talents for sponsorship opportunities with football clubs, particularly for those who might wish to pursue careers outside trading.

The competition began with the third-place match between Computer Village FC and Cooling Parts Dealers Association (COPDAS FC), which ended 1-1 before COPDAS FC won on penalties.

The novelty match followed, with the Nigeria Customs Service securing a 1-0 victory over Ndigboamaka All Stars.

In the final, Olojo Drive FC and UASPDA FC played out a 2-2 draw before Olojo Drive FC won the penalty shootout to lift the trophy, while UASPDA FC settled for second place.