WOMEN WHO INVEST CAN NAVIGATE COMPLEXITIES OF LIFE; AS KIKELOMO ADENIYI GRANTS SCHOLARSHIP TO 50 STUDENTS
In furtherance to its avowed determination to assist indigent people in the country, the Customs Officers wives Association (COWA) has awarded a multi- million naira scholarship to 54 outstanding students from Nigeria Customs‘secondary and primary/Nursery schools.
Also, no fewer than 50 widows of the customs officers were given palliatives to improve their lives.
The President of the COWA, Mrs Kikelomo Adeniyi announced these gestures at the Ogun 1 area Command yesterday, as she deposed that women who invest in their personal development can better navigate the complexities of modern life.
It is with profound gratitude and joy that I stand before you today to welcome our beloved National President, Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi FPMC, to Ogun I Chapter. Madam President, we are deeply honoured by your presence and the attention you have brought to the welfare of the Customs family here in Idiroko.
Your visit today is a clear testament to your unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of Customs officers’ families. Under your leadership, COWA has become more than just an association—it is a lifeline to the wives, children, and orphans of both serving and fallen officers. Your efforts have touched every corner of the nation, and today, we are privileged to experience that care firsthand.
As the Chairperson of the COWA Ogun I Chapter, I am proud of the work we have accomplished together. Our mission here is to ensure that the families of Customs officers—both those still in active service and those who have left us—are supported, valued, and cared for. This is not just about duty; it is about compassion, community, and the shared responsibility we have to one another.
Today, as we gather here, we are reminded of the sacrifices made by our officers. For the wives and children of our serving officers, your leadership, Madam President, reassures them that while their husbands and fathers protect the borders, we, as an association, are committed to protecting their families. The support, encouragement, and love we provide help them endure the challenges that come with the service of their loved ones.
For the families of our fallen heroes, your visit is a beacon of hope and strength. We know that their loss is immeasurable, but COWA’s constant presence in their lives helps to soften that pain. These families are a central part of our community, and we are bound by our commitment to ensure their welfare. Madam President, your dedication to their cause has given them the courage to move forward, knowing that they are never alone.
As we welcome you today, we also celebrate the strength of the entire COWA Ogun I Chapter. The women here are resilient, supportive, and deeply connected to the values that define our association—solidarity, care, and service. Together, we have worked hard to provide emotional and material support to the families in our command, and your visit today reaffirms our shared mission.
On behalf of the entire Ogun I Chapter, I want to express our deep appreciation for your leadership and compassion. Your oversight visit today will inspire us to continue working tirelessly for the welfare of all families under our care. We look forward to the guidance and insights you will provide during this visit, and we remain committed to upholding the vision of COWA at all levels.
Let me conclude by thanking you once again, Madam President, for your tireless service and for the light you shine on our path. To all the families present here today, we stand united in our purpose, and together, we will continue to build a stronger, more supportive community.
Also speaking, it is with great pleasure and a sense of purpose that I stand before you today in Idiroko, a place that holds significant importance not just for the Nigeria Customs Service but for the entire nation.
As one of our country’s key border areas, Idiroko has long been a frontline in the battle against smuggling and cross-border crimes. Our customs officers stationed here, including the courageous men and women in the Ogun 1 Area Command, face immense challenges daily in protecting Nigeria’s economy and ensuring the safety of our borders.
Today, we gather not only to celebrate the achievements of this chapter but to show solidarity with our officers and their families who bear the weight of this noble duty. As the National President of the Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA), I am deeply aware of the unique challenges faced by the families of our customs officers, particularly those stationed in difficult border regions like Idiroko.
The constant battle against smugglers, traffickers, and criminals often takes a toll not just on the officers but on their families as well. As wives and mothers, we know firsthand the anxieties, fears, and sacrifices that come with having our loved ones on the frontlines.
The threat of danger is ever-present, and the pressure on their shoulders can sometimes weigh heavily on us too. But I stand here today to encourage each and every one of you: Remain steadfast. Stay prayerful. Continue to support your husbands with strength and courage.
Your unwavering support is not just a comfort to them, but a vital source of inspiration that helps them carry out their duties diligently. Together, as families and as a community, we have a critical role to play in keeping Nigeria safe.This visit is also an opportunity for us to show our commitment to the well-being and development of our members.
I am proud to commission your new projects, award scholarships to the children of some of our officers, and distribute support to the widows of our fallen heroes. These actions reflect COWA’s core values of compassion, solidarity, and empowerment. Our scholarship awards to the children of Customs officers symbolize our belief in the power of education as a pathway to a brighter future, while the support to our widows reminds us all that we are one family and will never forget the sacrifices made by our loved ones.As COWA members, it is also crucial that we do not rest on our laurels. We must continuously seek ways to improve ourselves, particularly through capacity building.
This is a key focus at the national level of COWA, and I encourage each member here at the Ogun 1 Area Command to embrace this as well. Capacity building equips us with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to support our families better and contribute meaningfully to our communities.
In a developing country like Nigeria, empowering women through education, training, and skills development is not just beneficial — it is essential.Women who invest in their personal development can better navigate the complexities of modern life, support their children’s education, and even explore opportunities for entrepreneurship and financial independence. Let us not forget that when women grow, families thrive, and societies prosper.
I urge this chapter to actively participate in the capacity-building programs we offer and to explore new ways of developing your potential. Furthermore, I charge the executives and members of the Ogun 1 Area Command Chapter to maintain unity and harmony within your fold.
We are stronger when we work together in love and understanding. As an organization, COWA is built on the foundation of sisterhood and mutual support, and it is vital that we uphold these values at every level. Internal unity is the cornerstone of our success, and I trust that you will continue to promote this in all your activities.
In closing, I want to thank the Customs Area Controller for his immense support to COWA. I also thank each and every one of you for your dedication to our shared mission.
The work of COWA, especially here in Idiroko, is a testament to the strength of the Nigerian woman — resilient, resourceful, and always ready to serve. Together, let us continue to uplift our customs officers, support their vital work, and build a brighter future for our families, our communities, and our nation.