Customs Corner
COWA President, Kikelomo Unveils Vision to Empower 100,000 Women, Combat Drug Abuse
Author: Muhammad Bashir and Abra Iruoghene.
During a gathering marked by enthusiasm and dedication, Kikelomo Adewale Adeniyi, wife of the Comptroller-General of Customs and National President of the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), expressed readiness to support the Federal Government of Nigeria in empowering women, fighting drug addiction, and creating jobs.
Mrs Kikelomo made this known while delivering a stirring speech at the relaunch of the Customs Officers’ Wives Association, praising their steadfast commitment to empowering women and children and launching an intensive campaign against drug abuse.
The event, which held in Abuja on Thursday, February 15, 2024, saw the convergence of members, stakeholders, government officials, business moguls, and diplomats, highlighting the significance of the association’s endeavors.
While seeking the support of Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Bola Tinubu, to enhance the well-being and empowerment of women in the country, she also stated that COWA had identified the ‘Renewed Hope’ initiative of President Bola Tinubu’s administration as a catalyst for executing their primary projects in the country.
Mrs Kikelomo revealed that they have launched a pilot program to empower 1,200 women and disclosed that the association targets covering over 100,000 women, which, according to her, will significantly assist them in contributing meaningfully to their families in 2024.
She highlighted that the association has made all arrangements to establish a fully equipped ultra-modern Skills Acquisition Center in Abuja, where COWA members will receive regular vocational training and retraining.
Continuing her speech, she stated that the association aims to provide food and other humanitarian support to about 100,000 less privileged individuals across the country before the end of 2024.
According to Mrs. Adeniyi, the relaunch of the organization offers an opportunity to bring their activities to the forefront while also raising funds from corporate organizations and spirited Nigerians for the implementation of their programs and activities.
She added, “COWA plans to establish Nursery, Primary, and Secondary Schools across major border communities and even within cities and towns to offer decent, qualitative, and affordable education to the children and wards of serving and retired Customs Officers.”
She emphasized, “The schools will reduce the financial burden of Customs officers who pay exorbitant fees to educate their children. It will also enable us to instill in our children high moral values associated with the Nigeria Customs Service.”
According to her, the relaunch ceremony offered an opportunity to bring COWA’s activities to the forefront and to perform the investiture of patrons and patronesses and raise funds in support of the needy in society.
She said, “For the benefit of those who might not know us very well, please permit me to briefly talk about our association, COWA. The Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA) is a not-for-profit organization established on the 13th of August, 2009, to promote the welfare of Customs Officers’ families and foster bonds of friendship, unity, and understanding among the wives of officers.”
“COWA has been established with a clear aim to touch lives in a meaningful and impactful manner, and our primary drive is to build relationships, partnerships, and friendships that support the nurturing of healthy communities to alleviate poverty, create jobs, and support the economic empowerment of our members through initiatives that promote prosperity and economic opportunities,” she added.
She emphasized the need to economically empower officers’ wives across the federation and to launch an effective campaign against drug abuse in Customs Barracks to protect youths from the potential harm associated with the consumption of illicit drugs.
She commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the Management of the Nigeria Customs Service for their support and commitment to improving the welfare of Customs officers. She expressed satisfaction that more efforts and robust plans are underway to provide suitable accommodations to officers and their families.
On his part, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, who graced the occasion, expressed immense joy for the progress made by COWA. He commended his wife, Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi and her team for their hard work and sacrifices for COWA’s growth.
He disclosed that NCS has placed women in strategic and vital positions across various units and commands, which he views as a significant achievement in attaining gender balance.
CG Adeniyi stated that the service’s main goal is to establish an atmosphere that allows everyone to thrive without any obstacles. He applauded the efforts of Customs Officers’ Wives who have supported COWA over the years and Officers’ Wives from other agencies.
Reaffirming the goal of COWA, the Comptroller-General highlighted the core value of COWA to include the personal and professional development of officers’ wives, fostering a harmonious School environment, engaging in community development strongly aligned with the objectives of the NCS.
He said, “We appreciate our wives whose support encourages us to maintain our stance in fighting against smuggling and sources of strength, especially during challenging times. We are fully committed to supporting them in their work whenever and wherever necessary.”
He added, “The service is supporting COWA in building schools, supporting widows, and conducting medical outreach programs in our border communities. This initiative significantly enhances our corporate social responsibility program and demonstrates our holistic approach to community engagement.”
He said, “Given the substantial impact of COWA’s work, we wholeheartedly support the revival and relaunch of their activities. Confidently, we will continue to contribute positively to our organization and the community.”
… To be Awarded with Post-Mortem Promotion to Comptroller of Customs
By Abra Iruoghene
The Nigeria Customs Service and the National Hospital held a Service of Songs for the Late Deputy Comptroller of Customs in charge of Revenue Etop Andrew Essien, who passed on on June 25 2024, at the National Assembly while making a presentation before the House Committee on Public Accounts.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, while speaking at the event on 23 July 2024, noted he was out of the country when he heard the sad news of Essien’s demise. He said he was greatly bereaved to lose such a professional who was an epitome of excellence.
Describing DC Essien, Adeniyi said he was someone who took on every assignment and gave the best he had. “He was always prepared with facts and figures to defend the NCS”, he added.
Adeniyi said, “If money could bring him back, the Nigeria Customs Service would have done all they could to bring him back to life. The NCS will live up to those values he died for, which are Professionalism and Sincerity. ”
Still speaking, he said, “The NCS will give the late DC a burial of heroes. A meeting has been held on his behalf, and a proposal will be submitted to the Customs Board for a post-mortem promotion to the rank of Comptroller of Customs. Also, the children are now my friends. They are the children of heroes and will be treated as such. ”
He further encouraged officers to serve wholeheartedly with discipline and professionalism. Stating those who sacrifice their lives in the Nigeria Customs Service will not sacrifice in vain but will be remembered forever.
… Urges TCIP Officers to Adhere Strictly to Established Procedures
By Ibe Wada
The Zonal Coordinator of Zone A, Assistant Comptroller General of Customs (ACG) Saidu Yusuf, has emphasised the critical importance of intensifying cargo examination at Tincan Island Port to enhance national safety.
During his working visit to the command on Wednesday, 24 July 2024, Yusuf highlighted the necessity of rigorous checks to prevent the entry of expired products and illicit drugs into the country.
“We need to intensify our examination of cargo, as this is a main exercise for the Nigeria Customs Service. There is a need for thorough inspections at every stage, using the various parameters and tools provided by the service,” Yusuf stated.
“We also face issues with illicit and expired products. Beyond revenue collection, our role is to protect the lives and safety of the nation. Failure to do so could result in us becoming victims, directly or indirectly’’. He emphasised.
The ACG stressed that customs officers must adhere strictly to established procedures to ensure accountability and efficiency. “We must be diligent in all that we do to justify the actions required of us. I urge everyone not to relent in following the laid-down procedures. The Tincan Island command, under the leadership of Comptroller Dera Nnadi, has demonstrated efficiency, particularly in intercepting and seizing illicit drugs, arms, and ammunition”.
Yusuf also praised the implementation of new trade facilitation tools, including the Time Release Study and the Advance Ruling System, which have been introduced to enhance operational efficiency.
Acknowledging the ongoing efforts of the Customs Area Controller (CAC), he commended the team for their hard work under his leadership. He called for increased vigilance, especially in light of recent security challenges and rising smuggling activities.
In his address, Comptroller Dera Nnadi explained that the command is committed to its statutory obligations, which include revenue generation, trade facilitation, and securing the nations border.
“We have been creating an enabling environment for stakeholders engaged in legitimate trade, and we declared this year as the year of stakeholders in the command”, he said.
Nnadi reported that as of 24 July 2024, the command had collected six hundred and sixty-nine billion, five hundred and sixty-one million, nine hundred and forty-seven thousand naira (N669,562,947,000) and affirmed that the command remains focused on its revenue target for the year.
He also highlighted challenges, particularly regarding office infrastructure, and stressed the need for renovation.
The CAC appreciated the Zonal Coordinator for taking the time to visit the command and offer valuable advice to the officers.
…Reassures of Command’s Operational Efficiency
By Vivian Daniel
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the PH Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone (FTZ) Command, Onne, Rivers State, Comptroller Usman Seriki, on Monday, 22 July 2024, paid a courtesy call to the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Oil and Gas FTZ Authority, Bamanga Jada, in his office at Mable House, Onne, Rivers State, to consolidate relations with the officials.
This was contained in a press statement signed on Tuesday, 23 July 2024, by the Command Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Customs II, Paul Gimba, on behalf of the Customs Area Controller.
According to the statement, this aligns with the policy thrust of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, to collaborate with stakeholders for efficiency in revenue drive, suppression of smuggling, and facilitation of legitimate trade.
The CAC assured the MD of upholding and improving the established relationship between both organisations regarding trade facilitation and supervising compliance in the Free Zone.
“This relationship is significant because it will enhance operational efficiency, trade facilitation, and regulatory compliance in the Oil and Gas Free Zone,” he re-emphasized.
The MD appreciated the CAC and the Service for contributing to the many success stories of the Free Trade Zone. He added that “this cooperation can further contribute to overall economic growth by boosting trade volume, creating a more efficient and attractive business environment in Nigeria’s Oil and Gas Zone.”
The General Manager of Operations, Oil and Gas Free Zone Authority, Adekunle Ajayi, recognised that the harmony between the two agencies has diminished bureaucratic bottlenecks and ensured seamless processes in the environment.
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