Senior officials of the Nigeria Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA) led by the President, Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi, bring succour to many in need of economic upliftment at Idiroko Border community in Yewa LGA of Ogun State
By Innocent Chukwu
In a time of unprecedented economic adversity in the country, characterised by hardship, hunger, starvation and diseases occasioned by fuel pump price increases, there was a day of immense relief for some citizens who reside in the Idiroko Border axis of Ogun State, South West region.
The date was Friday, September 27, 2024. It was a day the Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA) took their Command-by-Command visitation to Idiroko Border Customs Area Command commonly addressed as Ogun 1 Area Command in Ogun State. COWA under its current leadership headed by Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi, wife of the incumbent Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has been embarking on providing relief materials for numerous families of customs officers, both living and dead, especially as the citizens’ purchasing power continues to dwindle.
The COWA visit to Idiroko brought smiles to numerous wives of customs officers both serving, retired or late as they were gifted with food items and cash for their wellbeing. This gesture is part of COWA’s humanitarian work to lift citizens especially families of customs officers out of the current hardship ravaging the country. At the last count, well over 50 widows in Idiroko benefited from the cash and material gifts from COWA.
Also, children of customs officers in Idiroko were not left out in the COWA magnanimous outing. Indeed, the COWA President, Mrs Adeniyi, announced that 54 children in both primary and secondary schools were given scholarships aimed at relieving their parents from the struggle to see their wards through to their academic pursuits.
The COWA entourage first touched the Customs Area Command in Idiroko where they were welcomed to the Command by the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Ogun 1 Command, Comptroller James Ojo and his wife, Princess Folu-Ojo Adenike who is also the Chairperson of COWA Ogun 1 Chapter.
In her welcome address, Mrs Ojo said COWA under Mrs. Adeniyi has become a lifeline to the families of both serving and retired officers of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), as well as others who lost their lives either in active service or natural death. She praised the leadership of Mrs. Adeniyi whom she noted that her efforts in transforming COWA have touched every corner of the federation positively.
Mrs. Ojo said, “Madam President, we are deeply honoured by your presence and the attention you have brought to the welfare of customs family here in Idiroko.
“Your visit today is a clear testament to your unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of customs officers’ families. Under your leadership, COWA has become more than just an association, it is a lifeline to the wives, children and orphans of both serving and fallen officers.
“Your efforts have touched every corner of the nation.
“Our mission here is to ensure that the families of customs officers, both those still in active service and those who have left us, are supported, valued and cared for. This is not just about duty; it is about compassion, community, and the shared responsibility we have to one another.
“As we gather here, we are reminded of the sacrifices made by our officers, your leadership reassures them that while their husbands and fathers protect the borders, we as an association are committed to protecting their families. The support, encouragement and love we provide help them to endure the challenges that come with the service of their loved ones.
“For the families of our fallen heroes, your visit is a beacon of hope and strength. We know that their loss is immeasurable, but COWA’s constant presence in their lives helps to soften that pain. Your dedication to their cause has given them the courage to move forward”.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Ojo in his short welcome address noted that COWA under its current leadership represents Nigeria. According to the CAC, “COWA is Nigeria”. Praising its President’s efforts at raising COWA’s performance bar, Comptroller Ojo said, “You will become COWA Chairperson in West Africa, I won’t be surprised.
“We have determination to work with you and share the COWA vision. Your support to our officers is overwhelming.
“We appreciate your efforts, I must appreciate you for all you’re doing for COWA. We will support you to take COWA to the highest place”.
The COWA President, in her keynote address, said she was deeply aware of the challenges that are facing Customs officer’s families.
Kikelomo said, “It is with great pleasure and a sense of purpose that I stand before you today in Idiroko, a place that holds significant importance not just for the Nigeria Customs Service but for the entire nation. As one of our country’s key border areas, Idiroko has long been a frontline in the battle against smuggling and cross-border crimes. Our customs officers stationed here, including the courageous men and women in the Ogun 1 Area Command, face immense challenges daily in protecting Nigeria’s economy and ensuring the safety of our borders.
Today, we gather not only to celebrate the achievements of this chapter but to show solidarity with our officers and their families who bear the weight of this noble duty. As the National President of the Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA), I am deeply aware of the unique challenges faced by the families of our customs officers, particularly those stationed in difficult border regions like Idiroko. The constant battle against smugglers, traffickers, and criminals often takes a toll not just on the officers but on their families as well.
As wives and mothers, we know firsthand the anxieties, fears, and sacrifices that come with having our loved ones on the frontlines. The threat of danger is ever-present, and the pressure on their shoulders can sometimes weigh heavily on us too. But I stand here today to encourage each and every one of you: Remain steadfast. Stay prayerful. Continue to support your husbands with strength and courage. Your unwavering support is not just a comfort to them, but a vital source of inspiration that helps them carry out their duties diligently. Together, as families and as a community, we have a critical role to play in keeping Nigeria safe.
This visit is also an opportunity for us to show our commitment to the well-being and development of our members. I am proud to commission your new projects, award scholarships to the children of some of our officers, and distribute support to the widows of our fallen heroes. These actions reflect COWA’s core values of compassion, solidarity, and empowerment. Our scholarship awards to the children of customs officers symbolize our belief in the power of education as a pathway to a brighter future, while the support to our widows reminds us all that we are one family and will never forget the sacrifices made by our loved ones.
As COWA members, it is also crucial that we do not rest on our laurels. We must continuously seek ways to improve ourselves, particularly through capacity building. This is a key focus at the national level of COWA, and I encourage each member here at the Ogun 1 Area Command to embrace this as well. Capacity building equips us with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to support our families better and contribute meaningfully to our communities. In a developing country like Nigeria, empowering women through education, training, and skills development is not just beneficial – it is essential.
Women who invest in their personal development can better navigate the complexities of modern life, support their children’s education, and even explore opportunities for entrepreneurship and financial independence. Let us not forget that when women grow, families thrive, and societies prosper. I urge this chapter to actively participate in the capacity-building programs we offer and to explore new ways of developing your potential”.
