Ivara’s Redeployment Stirs Emotion at Tin Can Customs Command as Colleagues Celebrate Warmth, Professionalism
Ivara’s Redeployment Stirs Emotion at Tin Can Customs Command as Colleagues Celebrate Warmth, Professionalism
By Success Okezie
It was meant to be a routine farewell ceremony, but what unfolded at the Tin Can Island Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, turned into an outpouring of emotions, as officers, stakeholders and journalists gathered to bid farewell to Chief Superintendent of Customs Oscar Ivara.
Affectionately called ‘Oscalo’ by colleagues and friends, Ivara is among about 30 Public Relations Officers affected by the recent redeployment exercise in the Service. The exercise, according to the Service, is aimed at strengthening communication, enhancing media relations and deepening public engagement.
Ivara has now been redeployed to the Customs Headquarters, Abuja, where he will serve as Deputy National Public Relations Officer – a move widely seen as recognition of his competence, dedication and years of meritorious service in Customs public communication.
The send-off ceremony, held within the Command, was marked by laughter, glowing tributes, and eventually, tears. What started as a formal programme soon became a deeply personal celebration of a man whose warmth, humility and infectious sense of humour had endeared him to many.
The atmosphere grew even more emotional during Ivara’s farewell remarks. Visibly moved by the large turnout and kind words, the otherwise cheerful and articulate officer struggled to contain his emotions as he surveyed familiar faces that had become family in the course of duty.
The moment was equally overwhelming for his successor, Deputy Superintendent of Customs J.T. Ansha, who anchored the event. Ansha, overcome with emotion, broke down in tears and had to be consoled by colleagues and the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Joseph Anani.
The reactions underscored the depth of relationships Ivara had cultivated at Tin Can Island. From senior officers to junior ranks, maritime stakeholders, journalists, members of the National Youth Service Corps, and support staff, all were united in their testimony: ‘Oscalo’ would be sorely missed.
For a Public Relations Officer, professional competence is essential, but Ivara showed that the human touch matters just as much. His technical knowledge of Customs operations, clarity of expression, prompt response to media enquiries and openness to engagement earned him professional respect. His approachable nature, humility and ever-present humour, however, earned him something rarer – genuine affection.
Comptroller Anani, in his tribute, described Ivara as a consummate professional whose infectious humour and humility made him easy to relate with across ranks and interests. He noted that Ivara discharged his duties with passion, loyalty and a remarkable sense of duty.
In his response, an emotional Ivara thanked Comptroller Anani and the entire Tin Can Island Command for the exceptional honour done to him. He also expressed profound gratitude to the immediate past Customs Area Controller, now Assistant Comptroller-General Frank Onyeka, for giving him a valuable and life-changing opportunity to serve and for making his Public Relations assignment seamless.
The high point of the occasion was the presentation of a framed table portrait to the outgoing PRO by Comptroller Anani on behalf of officers and men of the Command. The event was rounded off with light refreshments and group photographs.
Present at the ceremony were officers and men of the Command, maritime stakeholders, friends of the Command, journalists and fellow Public Relations Officers, including Chief Superintendent of Customs Abubakar of PTML Command and V.U. Ogagbor of KLT Command.
As he prepares for his new assignment at the Customs Headquarters, Ivara leaves Tin Can Island with his head high and his heart full. For the Command, his redeployment may have created a professional vacuum, but it has also left enduring memories of an officer who served not just with competence, but with character, warmth and humanity
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