COWA Ogun I Conducts Free Medical Outreach, Offers Free Drugs, and Other
Author: Efoguah Tobiloba.
The Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), Ogun I Command, organised a two-day free medical outreach for officers, security agencies, and host communities as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
Declaring the event open, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Godwin Otunla, said the exercise was aimed at reinforcing COWA’s commitment to the well-being of Customs personnel and their host communities, in line with the policy thrust of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.
He noted that the outreach reflected the Service’s social responsibility values, emphasising that “Customs Cares” is more than a slogan but a commitment to building healthy, mutually beneficial relationships with surrounding communities.
Speaking at the event, the COWA Chaiperson for Ogun I Command, Mrs Fausat Otunla, who represented the National President, Mrs Kikelomo Adeniyi, reiterated the association’s dedication to promoting sustainability, empowering people, and improving welfare across Customs formations.
She noted that the initiative aligns with the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on empowering widows, supporting children, and uplifting vulnerable families.
The two-day outreach catered to over 450 beneficiaries, offering free blood pressure checks, hepatitis screening, medical consultations, drug distribution, eye examinations, blood sugar tests, obesity assessments, and free eyeglasses.
The Medical Officer in charge of the Command Medical Centre, Superintendent of Customs Dr Abdulmalik Zakariyya, commended COWA for the initiative, stressing the importance of preventive healthcare.
“Health is not just the absence of disease; it is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being,” he said. “Unfortunately, many people only think about their health when illness has already set in. Preventive care helps detect silent conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and certain types of cancer, before they cause damage. Prevention, truly, is better than cure,” he added.
Dr Zakariyya revealed that the 20-man medical team comprised two medical doctors, one pharmacist, two pharmaceutical technicians, four nurses, four medical records officers, three opticians, and four laboratory technicians.
Through this initiative, COWA Ogun reaffirmed its commitment to promoting community health and contributing to the broader vision of a healthier and more sustainable Customs Service.
