The Nigeria Customs has expressed its readiness to partner the Ogun state chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) to develop Sports in the state.
The Ogun state command 1 Comptroller, James Ojo, stated this while receiving executive members of the association at his Idiroko office.
Ojo said this is part of the commands’ effort to reducing smuggling among the the youths in the border communities, saying that if the youth are not properly utilised, they would become tools in the hands of the smugglers.
He said his command would ensure every border friendly community benefit from the Comptroller-General of Customs’ Social responsibility by facilitating developmental projects to encourage them.
Comptroller Ojo, therefore, expressed the readiness of the command to partnering and support SWAN towards the success of the forthcoming 4th edition of SWAN/SECURITY CUP billed to hold in August this year.
“Former Comptroller General at Seme border, Jibo MB set up a football team for the youth and that team is still there till today. The youth bought that idea and they are all participating in the sporting activities team.
“There is an existing football team in Ogun and I will ensure that the football team improve optimally in their performances. I’m going to improve on the customs football team. The service is solidly behind you.
“As per sports, you can count on me, I’m ever ready to be part of it, we will surely support your competition.
“Thank you for your contribution towards the health of our men. Your contribution to sports development cannot be over emphasized.
“As regard the SWAN Security Cup, we are not going to use mercenaries, although, we have civilians training with our officers as part of our CSR to our youths in the border communities, but none of them are registered for the SWAN Security Cup,” he said
Comptroller Ojo acknowledged the contributions of SWAN members in the development and growth sports in the country.
Earlier, the SWAN Chairman, Ogun state chapter, Comrade Michael Azeez-Ogunsiji, had explained that the visit was to intimate the Comptroller with the activities of the association especially the SWAN SECURITY CUP competition.
Comrade Ogunsiji told the customs boss that the competition is organised annually to promote unity and sustain the existing relationships among various security and safety agencies in the state.
He noted that the competition had in the last three years created jobs opportunities for some youths within participating agencies and solicited the continued support of the command to ensure that the competition achieve its set objectives.