LAGOS-SUNDAY, November 9, 2025- Tears of joy flowed freely in Lagos, as Customs Officers’ Wives Association COWA, and the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A chapter of the Association brought smiles to the faces of several members, widows of slain officers and even female retirees through the Association’s robust empowerment programme.

The empowerment, saw the presentation of work tools including sewing machines, baking ovens, make-up kits and other related tools. Also presented to the beneficiaries were cash grants, 50kg bags of rice, vegetable oils, and other food items.

It was gathered that today’s empowerment was the second leg of the programme, which started some months ago with the training and skills acquisition, which are part of a deliberate programme of the Association to empower the women by providing the skills, resources and necessary tools for the newly trained members to kick start their businesses while providing financial grants to members already in business in order to help them thrive. The Association also distributed support packages to widows and retirees.

Speaking at a well-attended empowerment ceremony, held at the FOU, Zone A, with the themed: “Empowering Women, Strengthening Families”, President of COWA, Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi, noted that providing succour and support to Customs officers’ wives remains the priority of the Association under her watch.

She disclosed that COWA under her watch would go beyond just empowerment programmes by getting involved in the “Green Borders Initiative”, a programme which focuses on women’s economic empowerment, family welfare, and child health promotion amongst other initiatives, which are currently in the offing.

She urged the women to take care of their health as they must be regularly healthy and active for them make the homes comfortable for their husbands and children.

Mrs. Adeniyi affirmed that the Association is becoming international as it is getting involved with international bodies to improve the standard of living of its members. In addition, she stated that the Comptroller General of Customs who is the Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) is helping in achieving this goal.

“We want to move away from the usual. We want to go global. We are giving our women tools to work with and we also want them to work in a cleaner environment. We want to teach them how to make something out of the waste they generate from their homes to make good money and also start something in recycling. We are also creating a group for women where they can come together and learn green climate skills.

“Most times, we neglect those people at the border area and they are the ones going through a lot. When you go to the border areas, there are so many dirt everywhere. They dump refuse here and there. Sometimes they burn it. All of these have a way of impacting our lives negatively.”

Meanwhile, acting Chairperson of the COWA FOU Zone A Chapter, Dr. Juliet Nnenna Eya appreciated the COWA National President, Mrs. Adeniyi for her tireless dedication to the empowerment of every COWA member across the nation.

She said the empowerment ceremony is not just a celebration of skills but an ignition of futures.

She appreciated the National President, Mrs. Kikelomo, the CGC and the FOU Zone A Controller, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu for their invaluable contributions to the association.

The Controller of the Federal Operations Unit Zone A, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, who also spoke during the programme, noted that the initiative stands as a vital effort to uplift the families of courageous officers who serve and protect the nation.

The Comptroller, who played a major role to ensure the programme came to fruition, noted that the empowerment programme is designed to address the economic and social challenges faced by officers’ wives by equipping them with vocational skills, supporting small-scale businesses and providing training in makeup, sewing and catering among others.

He urged all beneficiaries to make judicious use of the meager resources provided and to see themselves as active partners in the country’s national development.

“The strength of our great institution lies not only in the dedication of its members but also in the well-being and support of their families. The COWA has long been a resilient pillar, ensuring that the wives and families of our officers are empowered to lead sustainable and independent lives.

“This is more than charity. It is an investment in the future of our families and communities. Through this programme, we have witnessed the transformative power of empowerment. Wives who were once dependent are now entrepreneurs, contributing meaningfully to their households and the society at large.

“Widows and families of injured or fallen officers are not left behind. They continue to receive targeted support to sustain their livelihoods and preserve their dignity, easing some of the burdens caused by the sacrifices their loved ones have made in service to their motherland”, Comptroller Shuaibu said.