The Customs Officers’ Wives Association has expressed commitment to galvanising efforts to provide housing for personnel of the Nigeria Customs Officers deployed to remote border areas.

COWA president Kikelomo Adeniyi said the move was to ensure that the officers deployed in remote areas have a conducive environment to discharge their duties diligently.

She added that the children of the personnel also lack access to decent and affordable schools in such communities.

“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 areas will go a long way to boost the morale of these officers and in enhancing the fight against smuggling.

“COWA plans to explore ways of supporting these categories of officers and their families in their areas of primary assignment. We can no longer close our eyes to see customs officers becoming tenants of smugglers in border communities,” she said.

She said the association would establish primary and secondary schools across major border communities and cities.

She said the association would also launch a campaign against drug abuse in its barracks and other neighbouring communities as part of its contribution to mitigate the scourge amongst youths.

According to her, COWA, through its activities and projects, would support the indigents in society by improving their social and economic conditions.

She explained that the move would involve providing education, food, health services, shelter, employment and support services to 100,000 people in 2024, emphasising that the empowerment would have multiplier effects in society.

She said the association would establish an ultra-modern skills acquisition centre and empower 1200 members on various skills in 2024.

She urged guests at the event and other well-meaning Nigerians to help the association realise the sum of N500 million to implement its various projects.

Nigeria’s first lady, Remi Tinubu, commended COWA’s president for reviving the association, which had been comatose since 2015 after its establishment in 2009.

Ms Tinubu’s speech was delivered by Ogogoh Musa, the president of the Defence and Police Affairs Wives’ Association (DEPOWA).

She said for a strong, integrated community, members have key roles to play in upholding good values in society, especially having compassion to support the disadvantaged.

She urged members of COWA to be a support system for their husbands to help them in their duties.

Comptroller general of NCS, Adewale Adeniyi, commended COWA for their efforts to improve the welfare of customs personnel’s wives and children, particularly the widows.

He pledged to support the association in its activities and urged them to sustain their good work.

(NAN)