...Its giant strides, outstanding moments and unforgettable feats in 2023
By: Bisi Akingbade
The Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria, MAJAN, has said that Customs Officers Wives Association, COWA, will certainly become a cynosure in the maritime industry in 2024.
The reason being that, as year 2023 rolled over with many memorable occasions, one group in the maritime industry that comes to mind on impactful leadership
is COWA
The Association resuscitated just four months ago, after over seven years of inactivity, made tremendous impacts on poverty alleviation, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), visits to orphanages, giving succour to widows, who are the most vulnerable in the society and a promise to invest in education sector.
MAJAN as an Association observed that the programmes of COWA, especially in poverty alleviation and its plans to invest in education aligned perfectly with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, in trying to rejuvenate the nation’s economy to improve the living condition of Nigerians.
Within a very short period, the National President of COWA, Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi and her team moved valiantly, bringing back the pride of COWA and making its presence visible in various Customs Commands across Nigeria. Their
unwavering commitment in humanitarian work was pragmatically demonstrated at various places they visited.
MAJAN captured the giant strides by COWA, its outstanding moments and unforgettable achievements in 2023, in details as follows.
In September 2023, COWA began raising financial support for late Customs officers' families. The association, led by its cheerful, amiable and pretty looking National President, visited Ogun 1 Customs Command at Idiroko. That visit attracted encomiums and commendations by all in attendance, as COWA
gave out souvenirs, which included food items to eleven (11) wives of Customs officers, who lost their husbands in active service.
Speaking on that well organised occasion, Mrs Kikelomo Adeniyi : "I am appealing for financial support for these programmes from our husbands and heads of households. We assure them of prudence and accountability in managing the resources".
The visit was a laudable initiative, as beneficiaries of COWA's smiled home with their gifts.
15 September 2023, COWA led by Mrs Kikelomo Adeniyi and the then Chairman, Seme chapter, Mrs Chinaelo Dera Nnadi also showcased another landmark event by COWA, with the handing over of the refurbished Seme Customs hospital, the installation of 15 Solar powered street light, the refurbishment of the Seme Customs Sentry post and the planting of Coconut trees around the barracks. The indefatigable COWA leadership did not stop there, they embarked on a medical outreach to Zango Communities and other villages at Seme in furtherance of their CSR.
In November 2023; COWA, Onne Area 11 Command commissioned Secretariat, Canteen and unisex Salon. Those were not all. The association also donated food items to widows at the Command, a gesture applauded by officers and maritime stakeholders at the Command.
That giant stride was part of COWA's efforts to improve the welfare of officers’ Wives at Port Harcourt Area 11 Customs Command, Onne Rivers State.
Speaking at that special occasion,
Mrs Adeniyi, stressed that COWA will continue to embark on projects, which will impact positively on humanity, in order to assist the less privileged in the society.
Stakeholders, who commended COWA included the Managing Director and Chairman, Odest Bonded Terminal, Mr. Chidera Oganuzor. His words: “COWA is certainly a good development to give officers' wives a sense of belonging and help them.
He also commended COWA for the donations and gifts presented to the beneficiaries.
Speaking further, Mrs Adeniyi disclosed plans to empower about 1,200 Customs officers’ Wives with skills acquisition, for them to be financially stable by 2024.
Her words : "The Association is working on starting COWA Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools to enable us provide qualitative and affordable education for our children. This will reduce the financial burden on Customs officers, who pay exorbitant fees to educate their children in private schools.
"Our focus in this regard is to provide educational support and scholarships to children through payment of school fees, as well as vocational empowerment of the bereaved Wives to make them self-reliant.
On December 9, 2023, Mrs Adeniyi again championed a groundbreaking initiative with mental health awareness. The programme, which was really impressive
titled; ‘Healthy Wife, Wealthy Life'
featuring physical
fitness, road walk, mental health talk, medical checkup and networking opportunities.
Commending the impressive turnout, Mrs. Adeniyi informed that COWA would organise quarterly medical checkups for blood pressure and sugar tests
Speaking further, She described COWA members as domestic engineers, advising them to be purposeful, not only in maintaining the families but also in managing family, businesses and extended domestic affairs, giving their spouses needed support to excel in their statutory responsibilities.
Another outstanding feat recorded by COWA was at the just concluded Comptroller General of Customs Conference. The elegant looking President of COWA
and her team graced the Customs conference held at the Continental Hotel Lagos.
The presence of COWA President became a cynosure recognised and highly honoured by the Ooni of Ife, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
The words of Ooni of Ife; "I am highly impressed by the presence of Mrs Adeniyi and his members. You are indeed a pillar of great support to your husband.
"Your husband is performing very well as the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service within a very short time because of your support".
COWA also extended the association’s Corporate Social Responsibility to different Orphanages in Lagos where its visited. These included SOS and Heart of Gold Orphanages
Mrs Adeniyi, who went with her team distributed relief materials to the children, giving them a sense of belonging and showing love.
