Officers and personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service, Kano/Jigawa Area Command, participated in a wellness marathon aimed at promoting health, camaraderie, and team cohesion, highlighting the importance of work-life balance alongside enforcement duties.
The exercise,was led by the Acting Area Controller, Deputy Comptroller of Customs Usman Adamu, in line with directives from the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, encouraging officers to maintain a healthy balance between professional responsibilities and personal wellbeing.
Addressing participants, DC Adamu described the marathon as more than just a physical activity, emphasizing its role in sustaining individual health and collective strength.
“Our culture too often condenses our lives into ‘eat, sit and work’. That routine quietly erodes our health. This exercise is not a favour to anyone else; it is a favour to ourselves. Physical fitness sustains our capacity to serve, protects us from preventable health risks, and reinforces the discipline we demand in every operational task,” he said.
DC Adamu noted that the enthusiastic turnout demonstrated officers’ readiness to embrace a healthier lifestyle that balances duty with personal wellness. He further emphasized that the NCS operates as a family, and the performance of the Service depends on the well-being of each individual.
“Leadership matters. When the Comptroller-General tells us that our well-being matters, it sends a message that we are valued not just as officers, but as human beings with families, futures, and responsibilities beyond the uniform,” he added.
The Acting Area Controller also highlighted the social benefits of the exercise, noting that it provided officers an opportunity to interact, build teamwork, and strengthen trust outside the confines of office corridors.
He applauded participants for their positive spirit and disclosed that the next edition of the wellness exercise is tentatively scheduled for two weeks, taking into account the approaching holy month of Ramadan.
DC Adamu encouraged officers to sustain regular physical activity and adopt healthy routines, including walking, stretching, balanced nutrition, and periodic medical check-ups.
“The duty we owe our nation is demanding. But we cannot give our best if we are worn down. Let today’s exercise remind us that we are stronger, healthier, and more capable when we take care of ourselves and each other,” he concluded.
The wellness marathon reflects the Kano/Jigawa Area Command’s commitment to fostering a culture of health, resilience, and camaraderie among customs officers while enhancing operational efficiency.