Bashar said this while decorating newly-promoted officers of the command on Thursday in Lagos.

He said that it took Aliyu three years to earn a degree, adding that this had elevated him to a higher level.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Aliyu was promoted from the rank of Customs Assistant 1 to Assistant Superintendent of Customs 2.

Bashar said that the Comptroller-General of Customs, Retired Col. Hameed Ali, had promised to encourage officers to improve on their education with a promise to promote officers with additional qualifications.

He congratulated the newly-promoted officers, saying that they now had greater responsibilities.

“Officers should not be seen fighting on the streets. You must keep off assault and you should not exchange words with your subordinates.

“Take advantage of the generousity of the service because promotion is not a right, but a privilege.

“I pray that the way we are decorated, we will leave to decorate others too.

“I wish all the officers will make Customs proud and try to be the change agents,” he said.

Bashar said that officers in his command benefited from the promotion in all the hierarchies.

Speaking on behalf of the newly-promoted officers, a Deputy Comptroller, Mr Adebisi Alade, commended the Customs management for promoting them after the tedious examination.

Alade commended the area controller of the command for his efforts in shaping their lives to be professional officers.

He said that Comptroller Bashar had improved officers’ attitude to work, adding that officers were proud to associate themselves with the disciplinarian.

Alade promised that they would be more dedicated and honest in discharging their responsibilities to government.

NAN reports that Comptroller Bashar decorated five other officers who were elevated to the rank of deputy comptroller.

He also decorated seven other officers moved to the rank of assistant comptrollers, nine as superintendent of customs as well as those promoted to other senior ranks. (NAN)