By Balarabe Oshiafi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has made a worthy contribution to the emerging fill industry in Nigeria otherwise known as Nollywood with the premiering, last week of a film, Beyond the Badge
.
ExpressDay Newspaper learnt that the motion picture is aimed at showcasing the salient contribution of the service to national development.
The event which took place at the Customs Training College in Ikeja, Lagos brought together film enthusiasts, stakeholders, and customs officers.
Senior officers and cast members highlighted the film’s impact and significance.
The film’s producer, Agozie Ugwu, shared his experience of working with customs officers on set: “They are very firm people, very disciplined. We made a lot of sacrifices, shooting in the rain and under the sun. I didn’t know much about the service, but with love and humility, they corrected me. They contributed immensely to the process, and if I had shot this without them, it would have been a disaster.”
In the same vein, other stakeholders praised the production and called for a sequel or a series.
Speaking shortly after the event, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, in charge of the Tin Can Island Port Command, commented on the film’s portrayal of customs officers’ daily routines: “Beyond the Badge shows what customs officers go through to secure the country. People don’t know about the hazards we face, the health risks, or the trauma our families endure. This film is just the tip of the iceberg.”
Beyond the Badge is seen by movie enthusiasts as a worthy public relations instrument that showcases the “bravery, resilience, and dedication of customs officers to national security and economic development”.
