By Sandra Chukwunyere
The Nigeria Customs Service, in collaboration with the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), has launched two groundbreaking initiatives aimed at promoting community welfare, environmental sustainability, and regional cooperation.
The Green Border Initiative and the Customs Care Initiative were unveiled at the Seme Area Command, marking a significant milestone in the Service’s commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of its officers, families, and the wider community.
The Green Border Initiative, led by COWA’s National President, Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi, is a multifaceted project that seeks to restore degraded ecosystems and empower women and youth across border communities.
This initiative is not just about planting trees; it’s about creating opportunities for economic empowerment and providing skills for a greener economy. Mrs. Adeniyi emphasized that COWA aims to take the program global, with partnerships to expand the empowerment model internationally.
In a related development, the Customs Area Controller, Seme Command, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, expressed his gratitude to COWA and the Customs Headquarters for selecting Seme as one of the launch points for the initiatives.
He highlighted that the Customs Care Initiative will provide free medical consultations, laboratory tests, medications, and eyeglasses to over 1,000 beneficiaries, including screenings for breast cancer, hepatitis B and C, and blood pressure checks.
This initiative demonstrates the Service’s commitment to touching lives and supporting the communities that host them.
The Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs, Mohammed Babandede, launched the medical outreach program on behalf of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. He commended the Command and COWA for aligning their humanitarian efforts with the vision of the CGC, emphasizing that this initiative marks a new era in Customs, one that prioritizes not only border security but also human and environmental security.
During the event, Comptroller (Dr.) Saadatu Lafia Baba from the Customs Medical Headquarters, Abuja, outlined the range of health services available, emphasizing the CGC’s dedication to wellness through proactive medical education and first aid training across commands.
The event also featured a Coconut Tree planting ceremony by the COWA President, empowerment of widows and women in the border community with financial support and tools for self-reliance, as well as the commissioning of solar-powered streetlights and the remodeled Officers’ Mess.
The occasion drew a diverse range of attendees, including Benin Republic Customs officials, traditional rulers, Local Government Chairmen, and representatives from Military, Paramilitary, and other sister agencies, as well as captains of industries.
This gathering strengthened cross-border collaboration and underscored the Nigeria Customs Service’s holistic approach to service, sustainability, and social impact.
The twin launch of the Green Border Initiative and the Customs Care Initiative represents a significant milestone in the Nigeria Customs Service’s efforts to make a positive impact on the lives of its officers, families, and the wider community. These initiatives demonstrate the Service’s commitment to community welfare, environmental sustainability, and regional cooperation, setting a new standard for humanitarian efforts in the region.
Newspoints247 reports that the event concluded with a sense of optimism and hope, as the Nigeria Customs Service and COWA look forward to expanding their initiatives to make a lasting impact on the lives of people in border communities and beyond. With a focus on sustainability, social impact, and community welfare, the future looks bright for the Nigeria Customs Service and its partners.
