DCG DERA NNADI’S EPISTLE TO THE NEW CUSTOMS RETIREES
On the 24th of September 2026 there was a deluge of exit from Nigeria Customs Service by officers of Course 1/91 after 35 Years of Service marking a new chapter of life and legacy for them. This tribute is to eulogise these great men and women who served their fatherland with their all, e joyed the privilege conferred by this elite institution and survived vagaries of years of service too.
My dear colleagues, friends and brothers and sisters in service, having towed this path earlier than you may I inform you that after 35 years of dedicated service in the Nigeria Customs Service, 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. Yes that’s what it is.
Having passed through this route barely six months ago, I speak to you not only as a colleague but from my own experience of life after retirement. I have come to appreciate that retirement does not mean less purpose or impact. On the contrary, with the right attitude, it can be a period of renewed relevance, fulfillment and meaningful contribution to society.
Having spent most of adult life in this journey we can rightly assume the toga of Ambassadors of Nigeria Customs Service. Wherever we go, we carry with us the identity and reputation of the institution that gave us the opportunity to serve our nation and write our names on platinum plaques.
Indeed retirement may take us away from the office, but it does not take away our responsibility to uphold the values of the Nigeria Customs Service. Let us therefore remain good ambassadors of the Service. Let our conduct, integrity, professionalism and wisdom imbibed over the years continue to reflect positively on the institution we served.
And importantly, let us mentor those we have left behind. It is obvious that the over ten years seniority between us and our successors left a yawning gap of institutional experience that must be filled. It therefore beholves 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. The greatest legacy of a long career is not the position we occupied, but the people whose lives and careers we positively influenced. Let them know that knowledge is power but good knowledge is authority. Remind them that the vacant positions they are about to occupy confers service not power. They should know that their new rank should transfer to responsibility not influence peddling.
In service we say life is good. In retirement one realises that life is good precious. One of the greatest lessons I have learned after retirement is that health must become a priority. During active service, many of us were constantly occupied with work, travelling and responsibilities. Retirement gives us the opportunity to pay greater attention to ourselves health wise.
Go for regular medical check-ups. Eat responsibly. Exercise. Rest adequately. Do not ignore symptoms. Take your medications and 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.
Retirement also provides an opportunity to reconnect with the family. Let’s make our family the focus of our new status. During our years of service, duty sometimes took us away from our spouses, children and loved ones. Now we have more time to strengthen those relationships. Let us be present for our families. Spend time with our spouses. Support and guide our children. Build relationships with our grandchildren. Family is one of the greatest sources of companionship and emotional strength in retirement.
Extended family members and sometimes immediate ones will show you love, some may also show resentment with the usual Naija sense of entitlement. You may hear what did you do for me while you were out there. Tell them you are not God. It’s only Allah that can solve all humanities problems. But above all, remember that at the end of the day, the people who matter most are often those who stood beside us throughout our journey.
Now that you have been liberated form a regimental life it’s time.to.fly like a butterfly. Do not abandon our social life. Retirement should not become isolation. Keep your friendships alive. Attend social gatherings. Participate in professional and community activities. Join associations and groups that add value to your life. I play golf, I fraternize, I attend seminars and workshops. I laugh. Please join me in being happier. Stay connected, but choose your relationships wisely. A healthy social life gives retirement companionship, purpose and joy.
Perhaps the most important lesson retirement teaches us is that life is ultimately in God’s hands. You did not survive 35 years on your own. We lost dear colleagues remember. But in your case Almighty God played a role bigger than all else. So above all, draw closer to God if you have not been doing so. Yes rightly so. After decades of pursuing careers, promotions, responsibilities and material achievements, retirement gives us a special opportunity to deepen our relationship with God.
Spend more time in prayer. Be grateful for the years God has given you. Serve others. Make peace where necessary. Forgive where you feel offended. Accept apologies where and when it is offered. Let our remaining years be guided by faith, humility and gratitude.
You should not only prepare for retirement from work; you should prepare for the greater journey beyond this life. You should embrace a new definition of relevance. My dear colleagues, retirement does not mean that society no longer needs you. Your experience is still valuable. Your knowledge is still relevant. Your networks can still be useful. Your wisdom can still guide younger generations. The challenge is to redefine your purpose. My candid advice is for you to move from doing everything by yourselves to mentoring others; from occupying positions to creating impact; and from building careers to building legacies. After 35 years of service, you have earned the right to rest — but you have also acquired a responsibility to share what you have learned.
You should therefore enjoy your retirement, protect your health, cherish your families, maintain meaningful friendships, remain proud ambassadors of the Nigeria Customs Service, mentor those coming behind you, and above all, remain close to God.
Congratulations to us all on 35 years of service, sacrifice and contribution to our great nation. May the years ahead bring us good health, peace, fulfillment, family happiness and continued relevance. We have retired from the Service, but we have not retired from life, service to humanity or the responsibility to leave a worthy legacy. And those squaddies still serving the lessons apply. Good luck fellas.
God bless Course 1/91
God bless the Nigeria Customs Service.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dera Nnadi, mni
Trade Maritime Customs Consultant
Chief Consulting Officer
Port Protocols Limited