By Okey Iroegbu
Comptroller Wale Adenuga made an impressive feats today, Tuesday, November 11, 2025 when within a relatively short notice, was able to put together an elaborate reception and hosting of Customs Officers
Wives Association COWA at his Command in Seme Border. The heavily attended event is nothing but a qualified success. It was full of panache as facilities sprouted overnight changing the aesthetics of the command. The Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Adeniyi used the occasion to commission new set of high-powered solar streetlights in
the command and also the remodeled Officer’s Mess. He explained that to secure the Command’s barracks, the Command has commissioned solar street lights. He added that the officers’ Mess which has been remodeled and named after Mrs. Adeniyi will enable
them have good relaxation experience often. “We cleared this environment to make it an extension of the Mess and that’s why we named it “Kikelomo Shakirat Adeniyi Arena” and we are entrusting it to the care of the COWA. We are planting 30 coconut trees. Coconut grows very well in this area and it has economic benefits. “The CGC gave me a mandate to light up the barracks command and I am glad to inform you that we have brought it to fulfillment. We are assuring you that One thousand people will benefit from the medical outreach,” he said. The workaholic Customs Area Controller was seen very early on the D-Day putting things together in the Arena with his officers. He was all over the place working closely with the Command's Public Relations Officer, CSC Suleiman Isa and others. All were in preparation to host the august visit of the wife of the Customs Comptroller General, who doubles as the President of Customs Officers Wife Association (COWA), Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi who used the opportunity to present different empowerment items to deserving Customs
wives in the command. On her contribution to the event, Dr. Sadiya Baba, the Head of Gynaecology and Controller at the Customs Hospital explained that the outreach will cover breast cancer awareness, education and even screening. She also confirmed that there will be medical consultations, laboratory tests, HIV tests, Hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis C antigen and Blood Pressure screening.
“The Comptroller General of Customs considers the welfare of men and officers very important. We are here initially on first aid training. First aid training is proactive. Recently, we’ve noticed that people are slumping and dying in the community. Emergencies are on the increase. You don’t have to be a medical person to be able to give first aid. First aid, when given at the right time, in the right way, is going to save a lot of people,” she said. At the event, the Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, the Zonal Coordinator for Zone A, Lagos, Mohammed Babandede represented the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR commended Comptroller Adenuga for his collaboration with sister security agencies and traditional rulers. In his opening remarks, the ACG hailed the leadership intelligence of Mrs. Adeniyi in driving the growth and empowerment of Nigerian Customs wives across the federation. He used the
occasion to hail the wives of Customs officers for the good care they are taking of their husbands which has played out in the rising service delivery of their husbands in growing trade facilitation and national security. The event basically started around the Officers Mess where a portion was created for the President of COWA which she unveiled before the ceremonial planting of Coconut trees. The invited dignitaries which included among others, Traditional Rulers were all compelled to plant trees which they were advised to find ways to nurture them to maturity. The association finally planted about 30 Coconut trees and launched the Green Border Initiative ,a programme set up to address environmental degradation and socio-economic issues in border communities. For a cleaner environment COWA had to gifts many of the invited agencies some waste bins. COWA National President, Mrs. Adeniyi stated that the initiative is not meant only to restore the ecosystem but it’s also a way of giving back to the youths and women at the border areas . “We see trash around and we can turn all of these things to useful materials. COWA is concerned about empowerment. We’re looking away from the usual and that’s why we’re going international given that the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi is now the World Custom Organisation (WCO) Chairperson,” she said. At the parade ground where the empowerment took place, the Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Adenuga welcomed all the guests. He sincerely eulogized the Comptroller General of Customs for really changing the narratives and making the service proud. On her speech, the President of COWA gave the reasons behind the empowerment of Customs officers wives nationwide, as she said “We thought it wise that while our husbands are doing their best in improving the national security and economy by trade facilitation and revenue generation, it is very important that we as wives, will support them with one or two means of livelihood for the growth of the families. She also revealed that ahead of
coming to Seme Border command for the empowerment, she has empowered well over 250 COWA members in Abuja. It could be noted that more than 100 COWA members were empowered with varying degrees of items ranging from cash, grinding machines, heavy duty gas burner with gas cylinders, electronic weaving machines and additional financial supports to benefiting wives of Customs officers in the command. Among the security agencies at the event included the Nigeria Army, Navy, Air Force, Police, NDLEA, NAFDAC,
Immigration, Civil Defense Corps, the DSS and many agencies. All the heads of these agencies were given an opportunity to present goodwill messages at the event.
