From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The Customs Officers Wives Association ( COWA) has said it is committed to leading a campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of illicit drugs, as part of efforts to eradicating the scourge.
The President of COWA, Kikelomo Adeniyi, who stated this, while speaking at the relaunch of the association, in Abuja, said the goal of the campaign is to inspire the Customs community to “act against drug use. ”
Adeniyi, who is also the wife of the Comptroller General of Customs ( CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, said the primary objective of COWA was to build relationships, partnership, friendship to support the nurturing of healthy communities.
According to her, “COWA has decided to lead the campaign to raise awareness about the dangers that illicit drugs pose to our society as a whole, and especially to the youths. The goal of the campaign is to mobilize support and inspire people in the Customs community to act against drug use.
“Our campaign against drug use and abuse was conceived out of a compelling need to support the government in eliminating the scourge of hard drugs in the country. COWA is joining the global effort to curtail the scourge by organizing strategic enlightenment campaigns and seminars as may be deemed appropriate. We will also support the rehabilitation and recovery of victims.”
She explained that since her assumption of office, COWA , under her leadership has identified the challenges confronting the family of customs officers. Adeniyi listed the challenges to include lack of decent accommodation and affordable schools for families of Customs officers serving in remote areas amongst others.
The COWA President stated that as efforts to address the challenges facing Customs officers, the association intend to build nursery, primary and secondary schools across major border communities.
“We plan to establish COWA Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools across major border communities and even within cities and towns to offer decent, qualitative and affordable education to the children and wards of serving and retired Customs officers.
“COWA Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools will reduce the financial burden on Customs officers who pay exorbitant fees to educate their children. It will also enable us inculcate the high moral values associated with the Nigeria Customs Service in our children.”
She stated that the association also has plans to support less privileged persons in the society through provision of healthcare, clothing, shelter, employment programmes amongst others.