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Retired Customs officer and Trade Maritime Customs Consultant, DCG Dera Nnadi (Rtd) mni, has charged members of Course 1/91 of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to transform 35 years of institutional experience into mentorship, service and enduring legacy.
Nnadi gave the charge in a tribute to his former colleagues who retired from the Service on September 24, 2026, after three and a half decades of service to the nation.
Having retired about six months ago, Nnadi said he was speaking not merely as a former colleague, but from the perspective of someone already navigating life beyond the Customs uniform.
According to him, retirement should not be interpreted as the end of relevance, but as the beginning of a new chapter in which experience becomes wisdom, service becomes legacy and time creates new opportunities to contribute to society.
“Retirement is not the end of the journey. Rather, it is the beginning of another important chapter – a chapter in which experience becomes wisdom, service becomes legacy, and time becomes an opportunity to give back in different ways,” he said.
Nnadi urged the retirees to see themselves as lifelong ambassadors of the NCS, stressing that retirement from active duty does not erase the values, reputation and responsibilities associated with decades spent in the institution.
He, however, identified mentorship as one of the most important responsibilities awaiting the retirees.
Nnadi said the generational transition within the Service had created a significant institutional knowledge gap, making it necessary for departing officers to deliberately transfer their experience to younger Customs personnel.
“It behoves on you to share your knowledge. Guide younger officers. Encourage professionalism and discipline. Tell them what you learned from your successes, but also from your mistakes,” he posited.
He reminded younger officers assuming positions vacated by retiring colleagues that rank should translate into responsibility rather than influence.
“They should know that their new rank should transfer to responsibility, not influence peddling,” he said, adding that “knowledge is power, but good knowledge is authority.”
Nnadi also advised the retirees to place their health at the centre of their new lives, noting that the demands of active service often left little room for adequate personal care.
He urged them to undertake regular medical check-ups, exercise, eat responsibly, rest adequately and take medical advice seriously.
“We spent 35 years serving the nation; we must now give attention to preserving the lives and health with which we served,” he said.
The retired officer also encouraged his colleagues to invest more time in their families, particularly spouses, children and grandchildren.
He noted that years of postings, travelling and professional responsibilities could have taken officers away from their loved ones, adding that retirement offers an opportunity to rebuild and strengthen those relationships.
Nnadi further cautioned against social isolation, urging retirees to remain active in social, professional and community circles while choosing their relationships wisely.
“I play golf, I fraternise, I attend seminars and workshops. I laugh. Please join me in being happier,” he said.
Beyond physical and social wellbeing, Nnadi urged the retirees to deepen their relationship with God, describing survival through 35 years of service as a reason for gratitude.
He advised the retirees to move “from doing everything by yourselves to mentoring others; from occupying positions to creating impact; and from building careers to building legacies.”
While congratulating Course 1/91 on 35 years of service, he reminded them that leaving the NCS does not mean leaving behind purpose.
