NCS Targets Rehabilitation of Ife Girls High School Under ‘Customs Cares’ Initiative
By Muhammad Bashir
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced plans to rehabilitate the infrastructure of Ife Girls High School, Modakeke, in Ife Local Government Area of Osun State, under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme ‘Customs Cares’.
The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, disclosed this on Friday, 29 May 2026, during an assessment visit to the school aimed at evaluating the scope of intervention required ahead of the commencement of rehabilitation works.
The visit formed part of ongoing efforts by the Service to identify and address critical needs in public institutions through its Customs Cares Initiative, with education remaining one of the programme’s priority areas.
Speaking during the inspection, CGC Adeniyi said the decision to intervene followed reports on the condition of the school and a firsthand assessment of its facilities.
“There is so much to be done here, and what I have come to do is a preliminary assessment of the scope of work required,” he said.
According to him, the school, established over six decades ago, was once renowned for academic excellence and a disciplined learning culture but has suffered years of neglect that have adversely affected its facilities and learning environment.
He expressed concern over the state of classrooms, laboratories, sanitary facilities, and the library, noting that some sections of the school had become overgrown and unsafe for students.
The CGC assured that the proposed intervention would be carefully executed to avoid disrupting academic activities, adding that necessary approvals had been secured while consultations with relevant stakeholders were ongoing to ensure smooth implementation.
He also called on school authorities, parents, and members of the community to support efforts aimed at maintaining the facilities after rehabilitation, stressing that sustainable development requires collective responsibility.
“We are determined to contribute towards creating a conducive learning environment that will inspire students and support educational development,” he stated.
Principal of the school, Mrs. Akinremi Martina, described the planned intervention as timely and impactful, expressing confidence that it would significantly improve learning conditions and reposition the school for greater academic achievements.
Providing a technical assessment of the facility, the Managing Director of Oak Builders Company, Engr. Kehinde Adeyimo, identified major structural concerns, including damaged perimeter fencing and encroached portions of the premises, which he said would require attention during the rehabilitation process.
He noted that the planned intervention is expected to improve the learning environment, strengthen security within the school, and contribute to the overall development of education in the community through the Customs Cares Initiative.
