…Charges Members on Legacy, Collaboration
By Muhammad Bashir
The Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), on Friday, 15 May 2026, extended relief and emotional support to families of fallen Nigeria Customs officers, as the National President of the Association, Mrs Kikelomo Adeniyi, empowered widows with food items and financial support ahead of the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebrations in Abuja.
The intervention, held at the National Secretariat of COWA in Gwarimpa, Abuja, formed part of activities marking the 2026 International Day of Families, with widows of deceased Customs personnel receiving essential household supplies and cash support in what many described as a soul-stirring gathering.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Mrs Adeniyi said, “While no intervention can replace the husbands and fathers lost in service, the association remains committed to standing by their families and ensuring they are not abandoned.”
She said, “No amount of food or cash can replace the husbands and fathers we have lost, but please know that you are not forgotten. You are not alone. You are part of the COWA family, and a family does not abandon its own.”
The COWA President said the outreach was beyond charity, noting that it reflects the association’s responsibility to continue supporting families of officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation.
She said, “The support we are giving today may appear small, but it carries a bigger message that COWA remembers, COWA cares, and COWA will continue to stand beside you.”
Mrs Adeniyi also assured the widows that the association would continue to support the education, welfare, and future of their children, stressing that, “To our widows, your story is not over. Your children are our children. Their education, welfare, and future matter to all of us.”
The COWA National President had earlier charged leaders of the association across the country to move beyond ceremonial activities and focus on building enduring legacies through collaboration, empowerment, and community development.
Mrs Adeniyi made this emphasis while addressing members of the COWA National Executive Council, Zonal Coordinators, and Command Chairpersons during the opening of the 2026 COWA Annual Convention at the Association’s National Secretariat in Abuja.
She commended the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, and members of the Customs Management Team for their consistent support for the association’s growth.
She also applauded members of the association nationwide for sustaining COWA’s vision and encouraged them to strengthen partnerships with development institutions, non-governmental organisations, and community stakeholders.
According to her, the future of the association lies not in visibility alone, noting that, “We are moving beyond being known for what we did to being respected for what we build. No chapter can do it alone, and no chapter should try to do it alone. Learn to collaborate, because if you do not collaborate, you will fall behind.”
The COWA President challenged the women leaders to return to their various commands with unwavering commitment toward building stronger chapters capable of transforming lives in border communities and beyond.
“Let this convention be remembered as the moment we consolidated our goals, sharpened our commitment, and positioned COWA as a leading women’s development platform in Nigeria,” she said.
