Again, COWA Ignites Fire of Hope

…As Mrs. Adeniyi Speaks of Extending the Frontiers

BY FUNMI ALUKO

In a powerful demonstration of compassion, vision, and leadership, the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), under the stewardship of its National President, Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi, has once again reaffirmed its commitment to transforming the lives of Customs families.

At a vibrant empowerment ceremony held at the Customs Training College, Ikeja, Lagos on Sunday, Novenmber 9, 2025, COWA unveiled a new chapter in its mission—one that blends humanitarian outreach with entrepreneurial empowerment with a bold ambition to go global.

The event marked the graduation of 36 beneficiaries from the Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, who received vocational training, business start-up kits, and financial grants. These included sewing machines, catering and hairdressing equipment, bead-making kits, gas cookers, and food items. In a further interaction with widows of late officers who died in active service, the COWA President approved and released a ₦100,000 financial support  each to eighteen widows at the programmed, to support their ventures.

“This is not just a welfare gesture, it is an investment in women as drivers of growth and stability. When women are empowered, the entire economy benefits”, Mrs. Adeniyi declared. Her words echoed the broader vision of COWA: to transform dependents into entrepreneurs, and households into hubs of productivity and resilience.

Mrs. Adeniyi also emphasized the importance of harmony at home, urging Customs officers’ wives to support their husbands and foster peace within their families. “Without peace at the home front, ourchusbands cannot achieve much at work,” she said, highlighting the vital role women play in national security and institutional success.

She praised the Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, his management and officers  for their leadership and unwavering support, and lauded the Controller of FOU Zone A, Comptroller Mohammed Shuaibu, for his consistent backing of COWA initiatives.

“I like to reecho our gratitude to Oga Shuaibu, he has stood by us through every proposal, every dream. Not just him but also his predecessors,  since 2021 when COWA was resuscitated,” she noted.

In a bold pivot from traditional empowerment models, Mrs. Adeniyi announced COWA’s next frontier: sustainability and international collaboration. “We want to go beyond giving sewing machines and catering facilities. We are going green. We will soon be learning how to recycle so many things, and want to be active in the environmental ecosystem hub” she revealed.

Aligning with the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Agenda, COWA plans to explore investment opportunities in Brazil and to establish a research and training center. “We need to stop talking local and go international—especially now that the Comptroller General is the Chairman of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council,” she added.

Mrs. Adeniyi also encouraged women to prioritize their health, advocating for regular checks such as blood pressure and sugar tests. “With good health, all other responsibilities can be achieved,” she advised.

Comptroller Shuaibu described the initiative as “a model of social investment that delivers long-term economic impact.” He emphasized that the strength of the Customs Service lies not only in the dedication of its officers but also in the wellbeing of their families.

Dr. Juliet Eya, Acting Chairperson of COWA FOU Zone A, reiterated the association’s commitment to continuous training and scaling up support for women entrepreneurs. “Our long-term objective is to create a network of financially empowered women contributing meaningfully to both family welfare and community development,” she said.

The event’s high point was the distribution of empowerment tools and cash gifts to widows, retirees, and active members—an emotional moment that underscored COWA’s dedication to dignity, self-reliance, and sustainable livelihoods.

With its eyes set on global partnerships, green innovation, and deeper community impact, COWA is redefining what it means to be a support network. Under Mrs. Adeniyi’s visionary leadership, the association is not just empowering women—it is building a movement.

No doubt, as the applause faded and the sewing machines hummed to life in the possible soonest time, one thing is clear: the world of Customs officers’ wives is no longer confined to the sidelines. It is vibrant, ambitious, and ready to take on the world.