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Association records over 6,000 community outreach engagements, empowers women, expands environmental education
The Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), under the leadership of its National President, Mrs Kikelomo Adeniyi, has recorded significant milestones in environmental sustainability, community development, women’s empowerment, education and healthcare as its Green Borders and Sustainability Initiative marks its first anniversary.
Within its first year, the initiative recorded 14,882 trees planted, over 682 Green Ambassadors mobilised, 6,093 community education and social outreach engagements, 4,041 health and wellness interventions, and 1,138 beneficiaries of skills acquisition programmes. The achievements reflect COWA’s integrated approach to sustainability, combining environmental restoration with education, healthcare, vocational training and community participation across Nigeria Customs Service formations, schools, barracks and surrounding communities.
Speaking on the milestone, COWA National President, Mrs Kikelomo Adeniyi, said, “The first anniversary of the Green Borders and Sustainability Initiative is a significant milestone in our commitment to environmental sustainability and community development. The 14,882 trees planted and over 682 Green Ambassadors mobilised within one year demonstrate what can be achieved through collective action, sustained advocacy and a shared responsibility for protecting our environment.”
A major highlight of the initiative was the nationwide campaign to plant 1,000 trees in one hour on 30 April 2026, alongside the Walk for a Greener Nigeria climate advocacy campaign in Abuja and Green Border Day activities across participating regions. COWA also launched its Adopt-a-School Campaign at COWA School, Idiroko, Ogun State, establishing the first Green Borders Eco-School and introducing an Eco-Club to promote environmental awareness among students.
Other interventions included the planting of 100 fruit trees at Government Secondary School, Jabi, Abuja; the adoption of 250 students at COWA School, Idiroko; and the introduction of Eco-Clubs at Apapa and Tin Can Island Commands. Environmental sensitisation programmes were also conducted at Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Command, while Airport Commands promoted environmental awareness through school adoption initiatives.
The Association further sustained its environmental protection efforts through the Clean Barracks Campaign, Green Barracks exercises in the Federal Capital Territory and clean-up activities across Nigeria Customs barracks. Its World Environment Day workshop for children also reinforced the importance of nurturing environmentally responsible citizens from an early age.
Beyond environmental sustainability, COWA continued to promote education, child development and family welfare through an essay-writing competition for children, a Back-to-School Groove to prepare pupils for the new academic session, and World Drug Day awareness activities at Coronation Preparatory Academy in the Federal Capital Territory and other Customs Commands. The Association also commemorated International Family Day by supporting families of fallen officers, reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of Customs families.
In the area of women’s empowerment and healthcare, COWA donated 250 blood pressure monitoring machines to women in Nasarawa State to mark World Hypertension Day, supporting preventive healthcare and improved access to basic health-monitoring equipment. The Association also graduated its third cohort of trainees from the COWA Skills Acquisition Centre and organised an Ideas to Income workshop in Gwagwalada, Abuja, to equip women with practical skills for financial independence and enterprise development.
Other programmes included dance aerobics and basic response training for women, alongside initiatives aimed at strengthening family wellbeing and community resilience. The National President also commissioned the COWA Shopping Centre at Mobay and Abdulwahab Customs Quarters to expand access to community-based commercial facilities and advance the Association’s welfare objectives. The visit of Baroness Verma of the United Kingdom House of Lords to the COWA Secretariat in Abuja further provided an opportunity to showcase the Association’s work and commitment to sustainable community development.
Mrs Adeniyi emphasised that the Association’s sustainability agenda extends beyond tree planting to include practical interventions that improve livelihoods and strengthen families. “At COWA, we believe that environmental sustainability must go hand in hand with human development. Our interventions in education, healthcare, skills acquisition and women’s empowerment are designed to strengthen families, improve livelihoods and equip individuals with the capacity to contribute meaningfully to their communities,” she said.
As the initiative enters its second year, COWA has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding environmental restoration, strengthening community partnerships, promoting women’s empowerment and supporting healthier, more resilient families. The Association noted that the milestones recorded underscore the importance of collaboration among the Nigeria Customs Service, educational institutions, government agencies, community stakeholders, development partners and volunteers in achieving lasting impact.
Calling on Nigerians, particularly women and young people, to embrace environmental responsibility, Mrs Adeniyi said, “Building a greener Nigeria requires the commitment of everyone. We encourage individuals, schools, communities and institutions to embrace sustainable practices, plant and protect trees, and actively participate in initiatives that promote a cleaner, healthier and more resilient society.”
