.…As Comptroller Adenuga Unveils Solar Street Light At Command’s Barrack
The Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), Seme
Area Command Chapter, has launched the Green Border Initiative, a
programme aimed at promoting environmental sustainability, and improving
the socio-economic well-being of officers and their families living in
the barrack and border communities.
The initiative, unveiled on Tuesday, November 11, 2025,
at the Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), featured
the planting of 60 coconut trees, empowerment of COWA members, and free
healthcare services under the Customs Cares Initiative.
Speaking at the event, on Tuesday, the COWA National
President, Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi, said the project was conceived to
restore the ecosystem while empowering youths and women in the border
communities.
Mrs. Adeniyi who also distributed waste bins to security
agencies, traditional rulers and other organizations in the Seme area,
encouraged to promotion of recycling and environmental cleanliness.
“This initiative is not just about restoring the
ecosystem but also about giving back to the community — especially the
youths and women in the border areas.
“We see trash around, but we can turn all of these
things into useful materials. COWA is concerned about empowerment, and
that’s why we are thinking beyond the usual, going international,
especially now that the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale
Adeniyi, is the Chairperson of the World Customs Organization (WCO).”
Mrs. Adeniyi said.
Speaking at the event, Zonal Coordinator for Zone A,
Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Mohammed Babandede, who
represented the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi
commended, the controller of Seme Customs Command, Comptroller Wale
Adenuga for fostering strong collaboration with sister security agencies
and traditional rulers.
ACG Babandede also praised the reduction of Customs
checkpoints along the Badagry–Seme corridor, linking insecurity to
environmental degradation and calling for nationwide tree planting.
“I appeal that this initiative should not stop at the
borders but be extended to other parts of the country so that more
people understand the importance of sustaining our environment. To the
royal fathers and our host communities, this is just the beginning. What
we are seeing today is a starter — the main course and dessert are
coming” Babandede said.
In his remarks, the Customs Area Controller of Seme
Command, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, highlighted the Command’s commitment
to community development and sustainability. He disclosed that the
Command had installed solar street lights to secure the barracks and
remodelled the Officers’ Mess.
Comptroller Adenuga, also talked about medical
initiative which he said was designed to touch lives through free
medical services and empowerment opportunities. According to him, the
Command, in collaboration with the military and other sister agencies,
planned to reach about 1,000 beneficiaries through the medical outreach,
which includes laboratory tests, provision of drugs, and replacement of
eyeglasses for those with sight challenges.
“In this medical outreach, we intend to reach out to
about a thousand people. We are giving them all they will need — both
laboratory analysis, medicaments, and even replacing their glasses for
anyone requiring medical attention,” Adenuga said.
He acknowledged the support of the military and other
agencies, noting that the Nigerian Navy, Army, and other security bodies
were part of the joint initiative. He also appreciated the presence of
medical personnel from Abuja and representatives of health-focused
organizations, including breast cancer advocacy groups.
Speaking on the empowerment segment of the event,
Comptroller Adenuga explained that each beneficiary received not only
empowerment tools but also a financial grant to start small-scale
businesses.
He further disclosed that a philanthropist friend of the
Command had supported widows of Customs officers with N200,000 each,
while ten other beneficiaries received N2 million in total to enhance
their businesses.
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