Customs CG moves to revive comatose COWA after eight years of inactivity

….Set to establish Primary, Secondary schools nationwide

The Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi has commenced moves to revive the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), which have been inactive for over eight years under the former CG of Customs, Hameed Ali’s administration.

Adeniyi, who received a high-powered delegation of COWA led by its Chairperson, Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi, on a courtesy visit, pledged the Service’s unflinching support to address their demands within the provisions of the law.

While expressing appreciation for the visit, Adeniyi said, “Let me start by saying that we recognize what COWA stands for and as our wives, first and foremost, we know that you all represent love.”

He disclosed that the Service already had on their plate, the plan to establish Primary and Secondary Schools across the federation, to revamp the educational system of their wards and communities.

The Customs Boss, who commended the Management Board of COWA for extending humanitarian support to orphanages and vulnerable people said that “the Management Team of the Nigeria Customs Service highly recognizes COWA as a veritable partner for development.”

“I know that Abuja is very strategic, and there are over three thousand Customs Officers working in various Headquarters formations who have families here, and these officers need to educate their children without spending exorbitant fees; thus, we take this matter as a priority.”

CGC Bashir Adeniyi, however, told the entourage that the Service will engage them once the project is initiated, adding that “what we will do is to acquire land within Abuja, and the project is hopefully going to be co-opted in our 2024 budget.”

Speaking earlier, the Chairperson of COWA, Mrs. Adeniyi, said they were at the Customs Headquarters to congratulate the Ag. CGC on his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and to solicit support to initiate some humanitarian projects.

According to her, the leadership of the association deemed it necessary to engage in assisting people in view of the current economic situation, adding that COWA has been half-dead in recent years.

The Chairperson, after highlighting some critical demands of the organization to the CGC, said that the association currently focuses on organizing training for their members on family health well-being, skill acquisition and empowerment, embarking on a campaign against drug abuse and promoting basic education.

COWA is a non-profit organization of Customs’ Wives that specializes in empowering spouses and families of Customs Officers, wives of fallen Customs Officers, and less privileged persons across the federation through various outreach programs.