|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
The Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Tuesday celebrated one of its officers, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Akpevwe Ogboru, who recently completed a 72-day solo motorbike journey from Nigeria to Belgium and back, a feat that has drawn admiration across the globe.
Ogboru embarked on the extraordinary adventure on August 1, 2025, traversing thousands of kilometres and diverse terrains before returning to Nigeria on October 11, 2025. Her journey, widely followed on social media, has earned her national and international recognition as a symbol of courage, endurance, and resilience.
Welcoming her to the Command, Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oluwadare Oshoba, described the achievement as a historic moment for the Service.
“On behalf of the officers and men of Apapa Command, you have caused this command to produce a celebrity during my time as CAC.
“Your trip from Nigeria to Belgium speaks volumes about our Service and the value we attach to hard work, adventure, and innovation,” the Apapa Customs boss said.
Oshoba commended Ogboru’s bravery, describing her as an embodiment of physical fitness and mental alertness. “We followed your journey online with pride. It felt like watching the Discovery Channel, but this time featuring one of our own,” he added.
The Area Controller said Ogboru’s feat has not only inspired her colleagues but also projected a new image of the Service as globally aware and dynamic.
“You are indeed a celebrity in Customs uniform. No venture, no success thank you for venturing, and thank God for your success,” he said.
Deputy Comptroller A.B. Yinusa praised Ogboru as “a woman of valour and unyielding determination,” noting that her story reflects the spirit of the modern Customs officer bold, curious, and globally minded.
“This is not just a tale of adventure but of purpose meeting passion. Through her courage, she has shown that Customs officers are not only trade enforcers but also ambassadors of resilience,” he said.
Princess Vicky Haastrup, Chairperson of the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), also commended the Customs leadership for promoting gender inclusion and supporting women to break boundaries.
“For you to embark on such a journey, you have proven that women are strong, capable, and limitless,” she said.
In her remarks, Assistant Comptroller Ogboru expressed gratitude to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, and the Apapa Command for their encouragement.
“I just wanted to show that anything is possible if you are bold and determined. It was not an easy journey, but every challenge made me stronger,” she said.
