The National President of the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi, paid a highly anticipated oversight visit to the Ogun I Chapter of COWA, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to the welfare of Customs officers’ families. During the visit, Mrs. Adeniyi awarded scholarships to 54 students and provided much-needed support to widows of fallen officers.
The event, held at the Ogun I Area Command in Idiroko, brought together dignitaries, including the Area Controller, Comptroller James Ojo, senior Customs officers, members of the COWA National Executive Committee, and families of Customs officers. Princess Folu-Ojo Adenike, Chairperson of the COWA Ogun I Chapter, warmly welcomed the National President, highlighting her dedication to improving the lives of Customs officers’ families across Nigeria.
In her speech, Mrs. Adeniyi commended the Ogun I Chapter for its resilience and solidarity, especially given the unique challenges faced by Customs families in border regions like Idiroko. She emphasized the importance of community support, saying, “As wives and mothers, we know firsthand the anxieties, fears, and sacrifices that come with having our loved ones on the frontlines. Your unwavering support is a vital source of inspiration that helps them carry out their duties diligently.”
The visit was marked by the commissioning of new projects, scholarships to 54 students from Nigeria Customs’ Secondary and Primary/Nursery schools, and the distribution of writing materials, including books and math sets, to aid their educational journey. In a show of compassion, over 50 widows of Customs officers received palliatives aimed at improving their livelihoods, a gesture that reinforced COWA’s commitment to empowering the families of serving and fallen officers.
Mrs. Adeniyi also stressed the importance of capacity building among COWA members, encouraging women to continuously improve their skills and knowledge to support their families and contribute meaningfully to society. “When women grow, families thrive, and societies prosper,” she remarked, urging members of the Ogun I Chapter to take advantage of the training programs offered by COWA.
In closing, both Mrs. Adeniyi and Princess Folu-Ojo Adenike reiterated the need for unity and cooperation within the organization, with Mrs. Adeniyi adding, “Internal unity is the cornerstone of our success, and I trust that you will continue to promote this in all your activities.”
The visit further solidified COWA’s role as a vital support network for Customs officers’ families, ensuring their welfare is prioritized, especially in challenging border regions.