The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Kebbi command, on Friday, inaugurated the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA) aimed at fostering unity and empowering women in the state.

Inaugurating the office in Birnin Kebbi, the area controller of customs, Chukwumeziri Nwokorie, described the launch as a day of thanksgiving and appreciation.

He noted that the inauguration would be remembered as the “birthday of COWA” in the state command.

Mr Nwokorie said the occasion was also remarkable as it marked the first official visit of the first lady of the NCS, Kikelomo Adeniyi, to the command since its creation in 2019.

“We are grateful to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale-Adeniyi, whose leadership has redefined, re-energised and re-transformed COWA.

“To our National President and Chairperson, Mrs Kikelomo Adeniyi, your presence here strongly signifies your passion and commitment towards enhancing the welfare of officers’ wives,” Mr Nwokorie said.

He also commended the Kebbi command chairperson of COWA, Chinaa Nwokorie, for her insistence on establishing the association in the command.

“Now you have the platform to showcase your inherent nature to passionately and sacrificially serve humanity.

“Now, I can rest! Trust me, COWA will not just have a place here, it will have a wide and strong base here, that will be the envy of other chapters, God willing!” he prayed.

Mrs Nwokorie urged officers’ wives to embrace the vision and purpose of the association in their families.

In her remarks, the national president of COWA commended the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) management for its support towards the growth of the association.

She expressed appreciation to the comptroller-general of customs and the management team for what she described as their “unwavering support and vision.”

This, according to her, has enabled the association to make significant strides in empowering wives of customs officers.

Mrs Adeniyi also lauded the comptroller, Kebbi command, for his hospitality, noting that her visit to the state was a memorable one.

She further saluted the efforts of the chairperson of COWA in Kebbi for establishing a functional office for the association and extending support to orphanages in the state.

The president urged members to remain united, continue supporting one another, and strive to make a positive impact in their respective communities.

Presenting her speech, the Kebbi command chairperson of COWA, Chinaa Nwokorie, observed that the establishment of COWA Kebbi chapter signalled a new beginning for officers’ wives and their communities.

She expressed gratitude to the CGC for its support and pledged that the association would continue to prioritise empowerment, welfare and community development.

“COWA plays a vital role in supporting the welfare of customs officers and their families.

“Our initiatives focus on empowering women through skills and training, supporting families in need, and fostering community development,” she said.

Mrs Nwokorie added that COWA’s programmes, such as skill acquisition, healthcare awareness and humanitarian outreach, had already impacted many lives across the country.

She urged members of the new chapter to actively participate in the association’s initiatives, saying: “together, we can achieve great things and make a meaningful difference in the lives of our members and communities.”

On her part, the wife of Kebbi governor, Nafisa Idris, commended the NCS for inaugurating the COWA office in the command.

She expressed optimism that the COWA office would help in complementing the numerous charitable and humanitarian services, as well as the empowerment of women, that her husband had been doing across the state.

The event, which was attended by various stakeholders, sister agencies, and officers’ families, also featured the  presentation of various relief items to the families of deceased officers.

(NAN)