By Amina Ojelabi
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command, on Tuesday hosted a grand empowerment event led by Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi, wife of the Comptroller-General of Customs and President of the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA).
At the event, Mrs. Adeniyi presented various empowerment materials, including cash, grinding machines, heavy-duty gas burners with cylinders, electronic weaving machines, and additional financial support to selected Customs officers’ wives within the command. The initiative, she said, is aimed at promoting economic independence and improving the welfare of Customs families.
In her remarks, Mrs. Adeniyi explained that the empowerment drive is part of COWA’s nationwide initiative to support officers’ wives as their husbands work to strengthen national security, enhance trade facilitation, and boost revenue generation. She noted that over 250 COWA members had been empowered earlier in Abuja before the Seme event.
Also at the ceremony, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, commissioned newly installed high-powered solar streetlights and a remodeled Officers’ Mess within the command. The facilities are expected to enhance the comfort, safety, and productivity of officers and their families.
Speaking at the event, Assistant Comptroller-General (ACG) of Customs in charge of Zone A, Mohammed Banandede, commended Mrs. Adeniyi for her visionary leadership and commitment to improving the welfare of Customs families nationwide. He emphasized that the support and resilience of officers’ wives significantly contribute to the effectiveness of their husbands in service delivery, trade facilitation, and national security.
In addition to the empowerment programme, COWA members, alongside representatives of other security agencies, participated in a tree-planting exercise tagged the “Green Border Sustainability Initiative.” Over 30 coconut trees were planted to promote environmental sustainability and beautify the Seme border area.
The event also featured the official launch of the Customs Care Initiative (CCI) — a medical outreach designed to provide healthcare services to Customs personnel, their families, and members of the host community. Beneficiaries received free medical consultations, eye checks, treatments, and prescription glasses.
Representatives of various security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, NDLEA, Immigration, Civil Defence, and DSS, attended the event and delivered goodwill messages emphasizing inter-agency collaboration as vital to national security and economic growth.
The empowerment and humanitarian activities reflect COWA’s continued commitment to supporting Customs officers’ families, promoting community health, and advancing environmental stewardship across Nigeria’s border communities.
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