COWA, NCS launch Green Borders Initiative, empower Seme Communities, widows with sustainability, healthcare, economic boost

…Names arena after COWA President Kikelomo

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), has launched a major Green Border initiative in Seme aimed at promoting environmental sustainability, healthcare, and women’s empowerment in border communities and names newly opened arena at the command after Mrs Kikelomo Adeniyi.

The event, held at the Seme Border Area Command, started-off with commissioning of the remodeled officers mess and the burgeoning arena within the mess named after the COWA President Kikelomo Adeniyi with a symbolic planting of 30 Coconut trees to promote economic and ecological values at the arena by all sister security agencies as Army, police, stakeholders and traditional rulers with COWA President kick-starting campaign.

The programme also featured the distribution of waste bins to security agencies, stakeholders and traditional palaces, reinforcing the message of recycling and environmental responsibility.

Free medical outreach to 1,000 patients was flag- off and an empowerment programme that provided 10 industrial sewing machines, 10 grinding machines, 10 industrial gas burners with cylinders, and ₦50,000 start-up support to each beneficiary.

In his opening remarks, the Area Controller of Seme Command of NCS, Comptroller Wale Adenuga said soncehe assumed office in the area, he has installed solar-powered street lights to enhance security and comfort within the barracks.

Adenuga thanked the COWA President and her delegation for the initiative and pledged to continue to encourage its sustenance via regular interventions.

He announced the handover of the management of the entire arena to COWA for ecological promotion, as revenue-yielding facility to sustain its welfare programmes.

The CAC thanked especially the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs, Wale Adeniyi who is the number one customs officer in the world for inspiring global change, trade Facilitation, and digital modernization.

He emphasised that CGC has improved the welfare of officers greatly, thanking COWA President for he unquantifiable support to her husband.

He said, “We discovered medical challenges were a key issue here, so we decided to provide comprehensive care. The outreach will reach about 1,000 people with laboratory tests, medications, and free eyeglasses which we designed to strengthen families and local livelihoods.

“When you empower a family, you secure a community. Each beneficiary gets equipment and ₦50,000 support,” he noted.

The Seme custom boss further commended a businessman who he said donated ₦2 million which will be shared ₦200,000 each to ten widows of Customs officers.

“He came to my office and asked, ‘Are there no widows of officers?’ before pledging his support. We appreciate such partnership,” the Controller said.

The Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, represented by Assistant Comptroller-general Muhammed Babandede commended the Seme Command for fostering inter-agency collaboration and community engagement.

“Today, I have seen synergy and collaboration with my own eyes,” Babandede said. “Even on my way from Mile 2, I noticed fewer checkpoints—a clear sign of teamwork and coordination.”

The ACG stressed that environmental degradation is linked to insecurity, urging the public to embrace tree planting and sustainable practices.

“The insecurity we face is partly due to climate change. When trees are cut down, herders move south, causing friction. This initiative should extend beyond the borders so everyone understands the importance of protecting our environment,” he said.

He reassured the host community of Badagry that the Service under CGC Adeniyi remains committed to improving local welfare.

“What we’re seeing today is only the starter; the main course and dessert are coming,” Babandede added.

COWA President Mrs. Adeniyi in her remarks expressed gratitude to the NCS and Seme Command for honouring her family and supporting COWA’s Green Border Initiative. Emphasized that the Initiative is not just about restoring ecosystems but also about empowering women and youth in underserved areas.

“We’re turning trash into treasure and going beyond the usual. Tomorrow, we’ll be in Brazil to engage global partners on the Green Border Initiative. Our goal is to empower border communities and protect our planet. With the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, now chairing the World Customs Organization, COWA is thinking globally,” she said.

“People at the borders have long been neglected—environmentally and economically,” she said. “At COWA, we are not just wives of officers; we are domestic engineers, nurses, and community builders.”

She explained that the initiative aims to restore degraded ecosystems, manage waste, and empower women and youth through green enterprises.

The event had Dr. Sadiya Baba, Head of Gynaecology at the Customs Hospital, who highlighted NCS health outreach’s focus on breast cancer awareness, screenings, and general health checks including HIV, hepatitis, and blood pressure tests. She also stressed the importance of first aid training in preventing avoidable deaths during emergencies.

The programme was commended by other security agencies, traditional Leaders. To this end, the Commander of the 653 Nigerian Air Force Station, Badagry, praised Customs for its leadership and commitment to community welfare.

“We are with you physically and in spirit. This empowerment and medical outreach should be sustained to achieve its full purpose,” he said.

Also speaking, the Oba Akram of Badagry described the programme as historic and timely.

“This is a big project in Customs’ history, long overdue but timely. God bless the initiators and COWA,” the monarch stated.

The Seme event underscored the Customs Service’s commitment to community service under CGC Adeniyi’s leadership blending healthcare, empowerment, and environmental action to improve border life and national security.

Benin Republic customs representative also commended the NCS for such a great feat.