…As National President, Kikelomo Adeniyi, Urges Beneficiaries to be Excellent Ambassadors
By Abass Quadri
The Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA) has expanded its empowerment and community development initiatives at the Seme Area Command with the launch of a free medical outreach, Green Border Initiative, solar streetlight commissioning, remodeling of the officers’ mess, and distribution of skill acquisition tools to beneficiaries, reaffirming its commitment to social impact and welfare.
The event, held on Tuesday, 11 November 2025, at Seme, brought together, sister security agencies from Nigeria and the Republic of Benin, traditional rulers, youth leaders, and freight forwarders.
In her remarks, the National President of COWA, Mrs Kikelomo Adeniyi, stated that the association, which began as a platform to foster unity among officers’ wives, has evolved into a transnational initiative empowering thousands of women and families.
“We have always built on the legacy of our predecessors by establishing a befitting skill acquisition centre where hundreds are trained daily. As we train these women, we also provide them with support both within and outside Nigeria to ensure they can contribute meaningfully to their communities”, she said.
Representing the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, the Zonal Coordinator, Zone A, Assistant Comptroller-General Mohammed Babandede, commended the level of cooperation among security agencies at the Seme border.
“Today, I have seen synergy and collaboration with my own eyes. The heads of sister agencies here maintain an excellent working relationship with the Area Controller. I also observed a notable reduction in the number of checkpoints along the route, which is highly commendable”, he said.
The Customs Area Controller of Seme Command and host of the event, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, described the initiatives of COWA as a practical demonstration of the Service’s social responsibility and the Comptroller-General’s Customs Cares philosophy.
“Today, close to a thousand individuals will benefit from our programme. Seme has taken a new look with the green border initiative and it will also be a source of revenue for the COWA organisation”, he explained.
Participants and beneficiaries expressed their appreciation to COWA for the life-changing initiatives, pledging to make the most of the opportunities provided to improve their livelihoods and contribute to their communities.
