Author: Efoguah Tobiloba.
The Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA) on Friday, 22 May 2026, held a graduation ceremony for participants of its Skills Acquisition Training Programme at the Customs Officers’ Wives Skills Acquisition Training Centre, Karu.
The programme, which is focused on equipping women with practical vocational skills for self-reliance and empowerment, has been running for three years since its inception.
Speaking at the event, the President of COWA, Mrs Kikelomo Adeniyi, encouraged the graduands to “remain active and productive after the programme, emphasising that the starter kits distributed to them should serve as a foundation for greater achievements”.
She advised the graduands to make excellent use of the starter kits, respect their customers, and always strive to deliver quality services.
Mrs Adeniyi noted that “it takes courage and determination not only to begin a skill acquisition programme, but also to complete it”.
Delivering her welcome address, the Vice President of COWA, Mrs Fadila Abe, described the occasion as a day of celebration, commending the graduating students for their resilience, commitment, and determination throughout the training.
She disclosed that a total of 101 students graduated from the programme, noting that each graduand represents growth, courage, and determination.
Mrs Abe encouraged the graduands to continue learning and improving their crafts, stressing that creativity alone is not enough without continuous development and dedication.
“This ceremony is not the end; it is only the beginning,” she said, urging the graduands to continue building themselves, work well with others, and remain worthy ambassadors of excellence.
According to her, the success stories of the graduands would inspire more women to take charge of their future and embrace opportunities for self-development.
She further appreciated the graduands for their sacrifices and perseverance during the training, expressing hope that the opportunity would open greater doors for them in their chosen fields.
The graduation ceremony also featured entertainment, games, and spoken-word presentations, adding excitement to the event.
Highlights of the ceremony included the presentation of awards to outstanding students in recognition of their performance and dedication during the training programme, as well as the distribution of starter kits to all graduating students to help them establish and grow their businesses.
In a touching moment, one of the graduating students went into labour while on her way to the ceremony and safely delivered a baby boy at a medical facility. In response, the National President of COWA, Mrs Kikelomo Adeniyi, visited the mother and newborn at Karu Hospital to extend support and solidarity on behalf of the association.
