COWA President Supports Widows of Fallen Customs Officers

BY FUNMI ALUKO

The Wife of the Comptroller General of Customs and National President of the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi, on 1 May 2024, distributed food items and cash to widows and families of the fallen officers in Abuja.

Delivering her opening remarks, Mrs. Adeniyi said the gesture was aimed at putting smiles on the faces of the widows of the late officers and to assist them in improving their standard of living.

She expressed sympathy with the widows of fallen heroes who lost their lives while discharging their legitimate duties to protect the country.

“We gather here today to remember the brave men with unwavering dedication and courage, who have fallen; these Customs officers were more than just employees.

“Each of these officers, in their unique way, made significant impacts during their time of service in combating smuggling activities, their commitment to upholding the law or their compassion to protect our country”, she said.

The COWA President said the benevolence to the less privileged across the Customs Formations and, by extension, the general society was in accordance with the Association’s core mandate.

This is even as she expressed her appreciation to the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and his Management Team for supporting COWA in achieving its objectives.

“Your continued partnership and collaboration have allowed us to extend our reach, amplify our impact and provide meaningful support to those in need within the Customs community and even the society at large.”

On his part, the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi who doubled as the Special Guest of Honour at the function, seized the opportunity to congratulate the participants on the occasion of Workers’ Day and reiterated his Management Team’s commitment to support COWA’s needs.

“I want to give you a firm assurance that, as a management, we will make a very strong case to the government that we need to improve the welfare of the families of our departed ones, and I can give you this commitment today.”

Over 50 people from different barracks of the Service across the Federal Capital Territory gathered at the COWA National Secretariat in Gwarimpa to be part of the exercise.

Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Asabe Machu and Mrs. Phina thanked the COWA National President for the gesture.