TOUS on September 21 of each year, the DGD commemorates the feast of Saint Matthew, patron of customs officers. The 2021 edition was celebrated in total sobriety in accordance with the government's instructions in the fight against the spread of the Covid-19.

After welcoming all the assistance, the Director of the Private Office recalled the tradition of the celebration of the Holy Matthew, the employers' feast of customs officials. He then announced the festivities and invited the Director General of Customs (DGD) to deliver his address.

Taking the floor, the DGD began by thanking colleagues for their presence at the various cults that launched on the morning of Tuesday 21 September 2021, the festive day then, it observed a minute of silence to honor the memory of the compatriots who lost their lives and especially those victims of the pandemic of Covid 19. This disease, which, despite the difficulties of its management, did not prevent the Customs Administration from moving forward.

Indeed, the DGD welcomed the bravery of its colleagues who spared no effort in mobilizing revenue for the benefit of the Public Treasury, which exceeded all expectations despite the situation of the health crisis and the closure of Nigerian borders. He also recalled some key reforms that have achieved the various objectives with the support of technical partners, mainly Benin Control, Webb Fontaine, the IMF and the WCO.

He then thanked the President of the Republic and the Minister of State for the Economy and Finance for their personal involvement in the modernization and development of the Customs Administration. He did not forget, in closing his speech, to express his gratitude also to the various colleagues of all categories admitted to claim their pension rights. He therefore congratulated three officials of the Customs Administration who were certified Master Trainers by the WCO.

The SG SYDOB also explained the various reasons for the state of sleep of the various trade union organisations in the country, including the Customs. He made it clear to customs officials that the union office defends the rights of its members while respecting the legal provisions governing the corporation.

Finally, the new pensioners, after having received their various present, shared with their families and the rest of the assistance, a light cocktail. At the close of the festivities around 6 p.m., the DBP announced the symbolic cut of the cake.