By Stanley Ihedigbo, Lagos state
The atmosphere was filled with joy, gratitude, and heartfelt emotions as friends, colleagues, and well-wishers gathered to celebrate the retirement thanksgiving of Comptroller (Elder) Effiong John Harrison, the National Coordinator of the Nigerian Customs Christian Fellowship.
After 35 years of dedicated service to the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Harrison bowed out gracefully, having risen to the rank of Comptroller of Customs and leaving behind a legacy of integrity, humility, and godly leadership.
The event, held at the United Evangelical Church, brought together both Christians and Muslims, senior officers and subordinates, all united by one purpose to honour a man whose light has touched many lives beyond religious or professional boundaries.
In this collection of interviews, colleagues, friends, and associates share their reflections, testimonies, and heartfelt messages about the man they fondly call a father, mentor, and servant of God. Comptroller Harrison also reflects on his years in service, his faith journey, and his message to the next generation of officers and Nigerian youths.
Chairman, Church Committee, United Evangelism Church and Comptroller, Nigerian Customs Service, Comptroller (Elder) Effiong John Harrison, speaks with the Christian Events Watch Magazine, on his retirement and the goodness of God in his life.
Excerpt
Question: Sir, how do you feel today, being celebrated? There have been many testimonies and words of encouragement. How do you feel?
Answer:
Well, all glory belongs to God — for what He has done for me, what He is doing for me, and what He is yet to do. He has promised never to leave me nor forsake me.
When I joined the Customs Service in 1990, I made a vow that God would be my guide. The message I received then was, “Be humble so that you don’t stumble.” I have adhered steadfastly to that instruction despite challenges and distractions, remaining focused on the things of the Lord.
By His grace, I was able to serve for 35 solid years and rise to the highest promotable rank in the Service. I retired peacefully, without any scandal or problem, as a Comptroller of Customs.
I feel deeply honoured and grateful. In line with what God instructed, I had to return to His sanctuary — that same altar where I knelt to pray — to thank Him for preserving me. That is what we are celebrating today: the greatness of God in my life. And as you can see from the audience, both Christians and Muslims are here, all giving glory to one God.
Question: What was your experience like in your 35 years of service?
Answer:
Well, I won’t say I worked with a silver spoon in my mouth. We faced many challenges, especially in field stations. It wasn’t only within the service; sometimes the communities posed challenges too — smugglers and businessmen who wanted to cut corners with the government.
We faced all kinds of difficulties, but by the grace of God, we overcame — not because we were powerful or better than others, but because His grace was sufficient for us. That’s the best way I can describe it.
Question: What message do you have for the people who left their activities to come and celebrate you today?
Answer:
I tell them to continue celebrating God in all aspects of their lives, so that celebration will never cease. Many people came today because they have tasted and seen the faithfulness of God. That is why you see both Muslims and Christians gathered together; everyone recognizes that there is one true God.
So I urge them to remain steadfast in their relationship with Almighty God.
Question: What message do you have for the members of the Nigerian Customs Christian Fellowship, which you coordinated?
Answer:
Yes, my successor in office. She is the Assistant Comptroller General. She is the Commandant of the Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, Abuja. The National Outreach Secretary, the General Secretary, the National Financial Secretary, and Zonal Coordinators from three zones were also here. People traveled from different chapters across the country to be part of this event.
There must be impartation — that the fire continues to burn. That’s why we will be having another Thanksgiving service of NCCF at Customs Training College, Ikeja Chapel on Sunday 7th December, to ensure that the joy of the Lord remains strong in their spirit.
I pray they will continue with zeal and the might of the Holy Spirit, doing greater exploits for God. Where I stopped should be their starting point.
Question: What advice do you have for the person who took over from you, considering she is new in the position?
Answer:
Many people have counseled her and reminded her to maintain the landmarks and footprints that have been left. She must uphold the standard — not lower it, but raise it even higher.
We are praying that God will give her the grace and enablement to carry the flag upward and onward to the glory of God.
Question: What advice do you have for junior officers in the service, based on your experience?
Answer:
In one word, humility. Humility is the key. Don’t take things personally, don’t quarrel, don’t fight, and don’t engage in fraudulent activities.
If you want to succeed like those of us who gave 35 years of our prime to this job, you must be humble and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you. I also advise them to know God personally and build a relationship with Him. Without God, everything else will fail. God forbid that any of them think they can succeed without Him.
Question: What message do you have for your boss, the Comptroller General?
Answer:
We continue to uphold him in prayer. The good things God has used him to accomplish could not have been achieved by human effort alone.
God has raised young officers around him to help transform the Customs Service to greater heights. We appreciate his leadership and pray that God’s grace will remain sufficient for him — to do more, to do better. His success is our success. That is my message for him.
Question: Finally, Daddy, as a father, what message do you have for Nigerian youths?
Answer:
All youths should draw closer to God. The Bible gives examples of young people like Joshua and David who achieved great exploits in their youth.
When you use your youthful energy to serve God, as you grow older, you become an elder who can give wise counsel and leadership. Many youths today want to reach the top quickly, without the solid experience or foundation needed.
I urge them to learn from the mistakes and failures of those who tried to rise without preparation. Learn from elders, listen to wise counsel, and stay focused on the path of righteousness — not just on getting to the top, but on being able to remain there honorably.
Thank you, and God bless you.
Comments
He is a man of 100% perfection
Question: What is your name?
Answer:
My name is Glorian Onyema. I am an Assistant Comptroller of Customs, and I work in the Human Resources Office at the headquarters in Abuja.
Question: What do you have to say about the National Coordinator of the Nigerian Customs Christian Fellowship, Comptroller John Harrison, who is retiring from the service?
Answer:
I am very happy to attend his retirement thanksgiving because he has been such a good person to us. In fact, he is like a father to me, not just a boss. I have learned a lot from him, especially when it comes to administrative work. He gives his 100%, and I have learned so much from that. We are really going to miss him, but I know he is strong, has a godly heart, and truly loves God. We are expecting a lot of great things from him even in this new chapter, and we will continue to support him from behind. I pray that God will be with him, go before him, stand by his side, and lead and guide him. May he have more divine wisdom, knowledge, and understanding to navigate this next phase of life. Truly, this is his season of enjoyment.
Question: What qualities do you admire most in him?
Answer:
Yes, I admire him a lot—especially his sense of urgency. He doesn’t take things for granted. When something is urgent, he attends to it immediately; he doesn’t procrastinate. That’s one thing I really admire about him. He also cares deeply for people. For example, if someone—whether a retired officer or a serving officer—has an issue, he makes sure the person gets the right access and support to resolve it. He also believes strongly in feedback; he doesn’t just assign tasks and forget about them. He always follows up to know what has been done. I learned that from him, because feedback really helps a lot.
Question: What message do you have for him in his retirement?
Answer:
My message for him is that retirement is not the end, but the beginning of a new and fulfilling phase of life. Sir, you have served faithfully and left a lasting legacy. May God bless you with good health, peace, and continued success in all your future endeavors. Enjoy this new season of rest and purpose—you truly deserve it.
Elder Harrison is a man of God outside pulpit
Question: Please, your name, Sir?
Answer:
My name is Samuel Sanusi, General Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of The Bible Society of Nigeria.
Question: What is your relationship with Comptroller Harrison?
Answer:
I’m here to celebrate a man of God. You know, in Nigeria, people often think a man of God is only someone who preaches from the pulpit, but Elder Harrison is a man of God outside the pulpit. He served in the Nigerian Customs Service for 35 years, and his retirement is truly something worth celebrating. Beyond his official duties, while he was still in service, he partnered with us at The Bible Society of Nigeria, ensuring that the fellowship and our work ran smoothly. Recently, through his leadership in the Nigerian Customs Christian Fellowship, we were able to produce thousands of copies of the Holy Bible, which were given to the fellowship to help members grow closer to God.
Question: What qualities do you admire most in him?
Answer:
I believe the best legacy anyone can leave behind is the Word of God. That’s exactly what he has done, and that’s why we are here to celebrate him and wish him all the best.
Question: What message do you have for other paramilitary officers in Nigeria, considering what the Customs Christian Fellowship is doing?
Answer:
Yes, whatever anyone does, we should always remember that there is a day of reckoning. Like I said in my short message, wherever you are, you are not just serving yourself. Whatever calling you have received, know that you are serving God first and also serving your nation. Whatever you do, God is recording it, and human beings are also taking note. So everyone should work to leave behind a good name, because that name will live after us. Whatever we do, we must always remember that truth.
Question: What message do you have for Nigerians as a man of God, Sir?
Answer:
To Nigerians, I will say this: we should not give up on our country. There is hope if we do not lose faith. Let us keep trusting God and doing what He wants us to do, and I believe there will surely be light at the end of the tunnel.
Comptroller Harrison is a man of integrity, who doesn’t associate with anything dubious
Question: Please, your name, ma’am.
Answer:
My name is Alice Timothy, Assistant Comptroller. I work with the Nigeria Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed Office.
Question: What message do you have for the man you are celebrating today?
Answer:
Ahhhh, the man we are celebrating today is like a father to me. My message for him is that God should continue to protect and bless him. He is a man of integrity and has a very good heart—that’s why you see everyone coming together to celebrate him today.
The message I have is actually what he has already taught us: to keep being true to ourselves, to live with integrity, and to serve faithfully. I pray that God will continue to take him from strength to strength and from glory to glory. As he has gathered us here to celebrate and give thanks to God, I pray that God will reward him abundantly, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Question: Looking at his lifestyle, what message do you have for your colleagues in the office?
Answer:
They should emulate him because, as I said earlier, he is a man of integrity who doesn’t associate with anything dubious. You can never involve him in anything that’s not right or not done through the proper process—he simply won’t be part of it.
As he retires in good health, I pray that we will all continue to emulate his example. Honestly, I didn’t even know he was retiring—I thought he still had many more years to serve because he is still so strong and active. So, I would like to tell my colleagues to emulate his uprightness and dedication. I believe that’s part of why he remains strong and fulfilled today.
He’s a Light to Everyone, includes Muslim, Christian Officers
Question: Please, can we meet you, Sir?
Answer:
I am Mr. Habib Ibrahim, Custom Officer, attached to International Airport Command and as you can see, I am a Muslim. But I came to church today to celebrate with Elder Harrison.
Question: What message do you have for this man of God, and what is your relationship with him?
Answer:
Mr. Harrison is like a light. You know, people have said a lot about his contributions to the church and the fellowship, but as you can see, I am a Muslim, and I am here to celebrate him.
When you shine your light, it reaches everyone — Christians, Muslims, and even unbelievers. It shows who you are. That’s exactly how I would describe Mr. Harrison , a light that shines for all.
Question: What message do you have for others, especially when it comes to the Customs Christian Fellowship?
Answer:
They should learn from his leadership style. From the very beginning when he was posted to our office, there were many issues on the ground , problems in that particular area , but consciously and unconsciously, he solved them with wisdom.
He once said, “Don’t come to my office if it’s not an official matter. And if you bring gossip against someone, I will call that person because I am a man of God. I always have my Bible with me, and you will have to repeat what you said in the person’s presence.”
That statement alone solved a lot of problems and brought peace to the office.
Question: Finally, Sir, what is your advice as a senior officer to the younger ones in the service?
Answer:
My advice to the younger officers is simple, serve without sentiment. Be sincere, be disciplined, and do your job with integrity.
Elder Harrison is a wonderful Leader
Your name, ma?
Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, ACG Oluyomi Abolaji and I work with Command and Staff College Gwagwalada, Abuja.
Want is your relationship with the man of God?
Elder Harrison was our National Coordinator, Nigeria Customs Fellowship and my boss. He is a wonderful leader, someone I have worked with for many years. We cannot part ways without celebrating such a special occasion together.
The gift I presented is from my heart, to help him thank and appreciate God for a day like this. I know many other gifts have been given, but mine is to show appreciation and recognize him on behalf of the Nigeria Customs Christian Fellowship.
On His Qualities
I see him as an elder who knows how to carry everyone along. He understands people’s strengths and weaknesses and never judges anyone for their shortcomings. Instead, he focuses on their strengths and helps them grow. He’s someone who identifies people’s weaknesses with compassion and helps them improve.
Message to the Younger Ones
I would advise the younger ones to emulate him. If he had not been careful and coordinated, the fellowship might have fallen apart. He knows how to correct people with love and carry everyone along.
My advice is that young people should not just act based on youthful energy but rather remain calm, be led by the Spirit of God, and learn tolerance. They should learn to coordinate people with patience and love so the fellowship can continue to stand strong.
Message to the Fellowship
To the fellowship, I encourage everyone to remain united. When we are united, we can look back one day and be proud of the legacy we’ve left behind.
If there is disunity, it brings sorrow. But when we build something solid, we will always want to look back and ensure it continues to stand the test of time and pressure.
May the Lord help us to keep forging ahead and doing His good work so that when we look back, we will be happy knowing we have handed over a strong foundation for others to continue the work of God.