COWA To Commence Empowerment Programmes For members And The Less Privilege.

By Helen UUdo, Outlook Media ABUJA.

The Customs Officers Wives’ Association, (COWA), has stated its determination of empowering no fewer than 1,200 of its members with vocational skills.

The Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA) is a not-for-profit organisation set up on 13th August 2009 to promote the welfare of the families of Customs officers, and foster the bond of friendship, unity and understanding among the wives of officers.

The National president of COWA, Mrs Kikelomo Adeniyi revealed its plans to provide food and other humanitarian support to about 100,000 less privileged, across the country.

COWA President,Mrs Kikelomo Adeniyi revealed these in her welcome address at a ceremony to relaunch COWA On Thursday in Abuja.

“COWA is planning to establish 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, Mrs Adeniyi said.

“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 said.

“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 said.

Mrs Adeniyi said it’s organisation’s relaunch offers them an opportunity to bring the activities of COWA to the fore, while also raising funds from corporate organisations and spirited Nigerians for the implementation of their programmes and activities.

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.

“Since we came on board, we have identified many challenges facing the families of Customs officers. 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 our youths from the potential harm and dangers associated with the consumption of illicit drugsd, she said.

“COWA has decided to lead the campaign to raise awareness about the dangers that illicit drugs pose to our society as a whole, and especially to the youths. The goal of the campaign is to mobilize support and inspire people in the Customs community to act against drug use. She stressed.

“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, she did.

“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, she added.

“The schools will reduce the financial burden of Customs officers who pay exorbitant fees to educate their children,it will also enable us to include in our children high moral values associated with the Nigeria Customs Service,she she.

“We have also concluded plans to set up a fully-equipped Ultra-Modern COWA Skills Acquisition Centre in Abuja, where our members will receive regular vocational training and retraining, The COWA President said.

” We 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; 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, she said.

Highlight of the event include: presentation of Awards, induction of some prominent Nigerians recently appointed as Patrons and Patroness of the not-for-profit organisations.