COWA Seeks N500m to Empower Needy Nigerians, Curb Drug Abuse Among Youths, Others

James Emejo in Abuja

The President, Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi, has called on its patrons, patroness, and well-meaning Nigerians to support its ambition to raise N500 million to implement the association’s numerous humanitarian programmes and projects for 2024.

Speaking at the Relaunch and Investiture of Patrons/ Patronesses of the Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA) with the theme, “COWA 2.0: Shared Values, Integrated Community”, in Abuja, Adeniyi, who assured on the judicious use of the resources, explained that the non-profit organisation basically relies on the support and goodwill of well-meaning individuals and corporate bodies to execute its programmes.

She said the association seeks to improve, contribute and promote equality for the less privileged and to advance their social and economic condition by providing education, food, shelter, health, clothing, employment programmes and supports services about 100,000 Nigerians before the end of the year.

She also said support would also be extended, as much as possible, to wives and children of customs officers who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Adeniyi said COWA also strongly identifies with the Renewed Hope initiative of the present administration adding that it would play its part in creating better life for families and “ensuring that those within our circle of influence receive the attention and comfort they deserve”.

She said, “By helping the poor and needy, we raise the standard of living in our society. While our little acts of kindness and support might not completely close that wide gap between the rich and the poor, we believe it can narrow it down.”

The COWA president also disclosed plans to empower spouses of customs officers, believing that investing in women was good for families, communities, and economy in general.

According to her, investing in women’s economic empowerment supports the drive to eradicate poverty as well as enhances inclusive economic growth and human capital development.

She said COWA was determined to expand the economic opportunities of its members through significant investments in training and suitable empowerment programmes.

She said, “Our plan is to train and empower 1,200 of our members in the course of this year, to enable them contribute meaningfully to the economies of their families and the society.

“We already started this training and empowerment gradually last year but our target this year is to spread it to a large number of our members in various parts of the country.

“We have also concluded plans to set up a fully equipped ultramodern COWA Skills Acquisition Centre here in Abuja where our members will receive regular training and retraining.”

She also said the body had decided to lead the campaign to raise awareness about the dangers that illicit drugs pose to society and youths in particular.

The goal, according to her, was to mobilise support and inspire people in the customs community to act against drug use.

“Our campaign against drug use and abuse was conceived out of a compelling need to support the government in eliminating the scourge of hard drugs in the country.

“COWA is joining the global effort to curtail the scourge by organizing strategic enlightenment campaigns and seminars as may be deemed appropriate. We will also support the rehabilitation and recovery of victims,” Adeniyi added.

She said since coming on board, the new COWAN leadership had identified many challenges facing the families of customs officers.

According to her, these challenges include lack of decent housing for customs officers serving in remote border areas with their families; lack of access to decent and affordable schools for the children of customs officers serving in remote areas; need to economically empower the spouses of customs officers across the country and a compelling need to launch an effective campaign against drug abuse across customs barracks to protect the youths from the potential harm and dangers associated with the consumption of illicit drugs.

The body further commend the federal government and the management of the Nigeria Customs Service for their unflinching commitment to the welfare of customs officers serving in various parts of the country.

Adeniyi said, “We are convinced that efforts and initiatives by well-meaning Nigerians to support the government in providing decent accommodation for customs officers and their families in remote border areas will go a long way in boosting the morale of these officers and enhancing the fight against smuggling.

“In light of this, and in the course of this year, COWA plans to explore ways of supporting this category of officers and their families in their areas of primary assignments. We can no longer close our eyes to see Customs officers becoming tenants to smugglers in border communities.

“In the same vein, we plan to establish COWA Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools across major border communities and even within cities and towns to offer decent, qualitative and affordable education to the children and wards of serving and retired Customs officers.

“COWA Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools will reduce the financial burden on Customs officers who pay exorbitant fees to educate their children. It will also enable us inculcate the high moral values associated with the Nigeria Customs Service in our children.

“With your support, we are hopeful that the proposed schools and our housing support for concerned families will take off soon.”

She noted that while COWA is not just another association created for the sake of having one of such women groups in customs – it seeks to touch lives in a meaningful and impactful manner.

“Our primary drive is to build relationships, partnerships and friendships that support the nurturing of healthy communities; alleviate poverty, create jobs and support the economic empowerment of our members through initiatives that promote prosperity and economic opportunities,” she added.