Articles by Afiong Edemumoh

World

Seme Customs, COWA empower 1,000 residents

The Seme Border Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), has launched a large-scale medical outreach and tree-planting initiative. The dual event, the Green Border Initiative and the Customs Cares Medical Outreach and Empowerment Programme, held yesterday, at the Officers Mess, Seme Area Command, aimed to empower over 1,000 residents and strengthen environmental sustainability at the border area. The twin programmes, which featured free medical services, tree planting, and distribution of empowerment tools to families, were jointly executed under the leadership of the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Dr. Adewale Adeniyi, and the COWA National President, Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi. Represented by the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Muhammed Babandede, the CGC commended the synergy between Customs, security agencies, and community leaders, describing the initiative as “a legacy of service and compassion.” He said: “Today, I have seen synergy with my own eyes. I have seen collaboration. Thank you for making this happen. “We all know that water is life, and air is life. But we have been facing serious environmental degradation and climate change. The issue of insecurity we are facing in this country is as a result of climate change. Herders had to move from the north because the trees were cut off down to the south or to the middle belt where we are having challenges. “My appeal is that this initiative should not stop at the borders — take it across the nation so that people can understand the importance of tree planting and environmental protection.” Read Also: Okpebholo takes EU ambassadors to monarch He assured the host communities that the Customs leadership remains committed to their welfare, noting that the programmes in Badagry marked only the beginning of broader engagements to improve the living conditions of border residents. “The Customs Service under Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has not forgotten our host communities. What we are seeing today is just a starter — the main course and dessert are coming,” he said. In his welcome address, the Customs Area Controller of Seme Command, Comptroller Adewale Adenuga, highlighted that the initiative was in line with the CGC’s welfare and community outreach mandate. “We looked at the challenges around us and identified health as a major concern. That’s why we are supporting our CGC’s vision with this medical outreach,” Adenuga said. He explained that the outreach aimed to reach at least 1,000 beneficiaries, offering laboratory tests, medications, and free eye care services. He added that the empowerment programme provided 10 industrial sewing machines, 10 grinding machines, and 10 gas burners and cylinders, each supported with a N50,000 startup grant for beneficiaries. Adenuga also commended individuals and partners who contributed to the success of the programme, particularly Remi Adesanya, who donated N2 million to support widows and young entrepreneurs. “Each widow will receive N200,000, while 10 others will get N2 million in total. We believe that with one empowerment tool, a family is secured,” he said. “The CGC has been supportive of all officers through improved welfare and salaries. His wife has also given him the peace of mind that reflects in the entire Service.” The command also unveiled a new facility named “Kikelomo Shakirat Adeniyi Arena,” dedicated to the COWA President, which will serve as a revenue-yielding and maintained space for women-led initiatives in the area. In her remarks, the President of COWA, Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi, expressed appreciation to the Customs leadership and the Seme Command for honouring her and supporting women’s empowerment through the Green Border Initiative. She said: “People at the border areas have been neglected in many ways — from lack of facilities to pollution. That’s why COWA started this initiative. “We are not just restoring the ecosystem, we’re also empowering our women and youth to turn waste into wealth. We’re going global and international with this vision because empowerment must go beyond borders.” She revealed that COWA had already launched the Green Border Initiative at Idiroko and planned to present it at an upcoming international engagement in Brazil to attract global partnerships. Representative from the 653 Nigerian Air Force Station, Badagry, praised the humanitarian focus of the event, describing it as a model worth sustaining. “It gives us great delight to be part of this empowerment programme. Our wish is for the Nigerian Customs Service to have all it requires to sustain this initiative to its fullest potential,” the Air Force representative said. Also commending the project, Oba Akran of Badagry described it as a “historic and timely intervention” in the community. “This is a very big project in the history of the Nigerian Customs. It is long overdue, and it has come at the right time. God bless the initiator and COWA,” the monarch said. The medical team, led by the Controller of Medical Services, took officials on a guided tour of the outreach facilities, including consultation stands, nursing stations, and pharmacies; where patients were screened for conditions such as hypertension and provided with free medication and follow-up care. “Some patients didn’t know they were hypertensive until today. They’ll return for further screening, which shows the importance of this outreach,” the controller explained. A major highlight of the twin-programme saw dignitaries including the CGC’s wife, heads of agencies, and traditional rulers participate in a symbolic tree planting ceremony, planting 30 coconut and palm trees at the newly dedicated arena. Each tree was watered with a mixture of water and sugar, symbolising the sweetness of their future fruits. The twin initiatives, stakeholders say, reflect the service’s broader vision under the CGC’s leadership to promote community welfare, climate action, and inter-agency collaboration at Nigeria’s borders.