The Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), is committed to combating domestic violence within the service, its President, Mrs Kikelomo Adeniyi, said in Abuja on Monday.
Kikelomo; wife of the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), also said that the association was creating a supportive environment for the wives to report such issues.
She was speaking at the inauguration of COWA’s national Secretariat.
“If they have domestic violence issues or their kids have issues in school, this is where they come to; this is where they lay their complaints to, and we stand up for it,” she said.
She restated the association’s determination to improve on the welfare of its members and their families, adding that the group would extend the good will to indigent and vulnerable groups in their various communities.
“The facility that we are opening today is not just a building, it is a transformation centre which will, henceforth, serve as our launch pad in our quest to touch lives and transform destinies.
“COWA, from here on, will go all out to promote the welfare of the families of customs officers; we shall also be responsive to the objective of assisting the poor and needy in our society in a way that has not been done before.
“It is our firm commitment that we will touch lives and fulfil the noble objectives of the association even beyond the expectations of our founders,” she said.
She described the inauguration of the secretariat as the first step in its rebranding journey, saying that COWA would be relaunched on Feb. 15 and its welfare services improved upon for more impact.
According to the president, the objectives are in line with the renewed hope initiative of the wife of the president, Mrs Oluremi Tinubu, who is passionate on facilitating improved living conditions for less privileged families.
She said that the officials of the association were operating an open-door policy, and urged members to contribute to its progress and seek support without fear.
She thanked the C-G, Adewale Adeniyi, and his management, for their continuous support. and called on sister NGOs, private and international donors, to partner with COWA in its vision of assisting vulnerable groups.
In his remarks, the C-G congratulated COWA on the inauguration and assured members of the service’s continuous support.
Represented by Festus Okun, Deputy C-G in charge of Finance Administration and Technical services, he said that the NCS had commenced the recovery of COWA’s properties nationwide.
He said that the service had also embarked on the reconstruction and rehabilitation of all COWA facilities across the country, comprising of schools, hospitals and related facilities, while new properties were also being acquired.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that dignitaries at the event also included presidents of sister agencies such as Nigerian Army Wives Association, Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association, Nigeria Immigration Officers Wives association and Nigerian Correctional Wives association, amongst others
Awards were also presented to past leaders of COWA.
