COWA Launches Eco Club Initiative to Promote Youth Climate Action
Author: Efoguah Tobiloba.
The Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA) has launched its Eco Club Initiative, with Coronation Prep Academy as the pioneer beneficiary, marking a significant milestone in youth-focused environmental advocacy under its Green Borders Initiative.
The unveiling took place during an Environmental Education Workshop held on 19 February 2026 at the Ahmed Makarfi Hall, located within the Nigeria Customs Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) in Gwagwalada. The event drew government representatives, environmental stakeholders, members of the Customs community, and pupils, all united by a shared goal of promoting climate awareness and sustainable practices among young people.
Speaking at the ceremony, COWA National President, Kikelomo Adeniyi, emphasised that the association deliberately chose schools as the starting point for the Eco Club rollout because lasting environmental sustainability must begin with children. She described young people as critical partners in building greener communities. She noted that the Green Borders Initiative is designed to translate environmental awareness into structured and measurable action across Customs formations nationwide.
“Instilling environmental responsibility at an early age is one of the most effective ways to secure a sustainable future. Through the Eco Club Initiative, we are empowering children to become ambassadors of positive environmental change within their schools and communities,” she stated.
Delivering remarks on behalf of the Minister of Environment, the Director of Forestry at the Federal Ministry of Environment commended COWA for prioritising grassroots engagement and youth inclusion in climate action. She stressed that sustainable environmental progress begins with awareness at the community level, especially among children.
She urged participants to adopt responsible environmental habits such as tree planting, proper waste disposal, and conservation practices, describing them as vital tools for addressing climate challenges.
In a goodwill message conveyed on behalf of the Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change, the association’s Green Borders Initiative was described as a timely, people-driven response to environmental concerns, underscoring the importance of community participation and youth involvement in fostering a culture of sustainability.
The workshop featured interactive sessions on climate change and its local impacts, the environmental value of trees, and practical waste management guided by the 3Rs principle—Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Pupils also participated in demonstrations on waste separation and responsible consumption.
As part of the programme’s outcomes, COWA announced plans to establish structured Eco Clubs in schools nationwide, introduce Monthly Clean Barracks Days, implement state-level tree-planting campaigns, and sustain environmental education activities across State Commands.
