By Bon Peters
PORT HARCOURT/Nigeria: The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Area I Command, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has donated educational materials worth millions of naira to pupils of Model Primary School I and II, Orominike, in Port Harcourt, as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative.
Speaking during the presentation last week, the Customs Area Controller, Port Harcourt Area I Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku, said the gesture was in line with the vision of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, and his management team, who have consistently championed programmes that promote education, youth development and community support across the country.
Comptroller Atuluku expressed appreciation to the Comptroller-General and the NCS management for their leadership and commitment to touching lives nationwide, noting that the donation underscored the Service’s belief that its responsibilities extend beyond border security and revenue enforcement.
“It gives me great joy to stand before you today for this important and heartwarming event. We are here to show love and support to the wonderful pupils of Model Primary School, Orominike,” she said, adding that the Nigeria Customs Service remains an integral part of the communities it serves.
According to her, the event served as a reminder that Customs officers are partners in community welfare and development. “Today’s event is special because it reminds us that our work goes far beyond securing borders or enforcing laws. We also have a responsibility to contribute meaningfully to the welfare and development of our host communities,” Atuluku stated.
She also expressed gratitude to the Zonal Coordinator, Customs Zone C Headquarters, Port Harcourt, Assistant Comptroller-General Kamal Mohammed, for his support, as well as the National President of the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), Mrs. Kikelomo Adewale Adeniyi, and members of the association’s executive.
Comptroller Atuluku described Mrs. Adeniyi as “a woman of substance and an innovative reformer,” commending her for extending her stay in Port Harcourt after the Green Border Initiative Campaign to be part of the school outreach. She said the gesture reflected the COWA president’s deep commitment to the welfare of children and families.
Addressing the pupils, the Customs Area Controller described them as the stars of the event and encouraged them to take their education seriously. She stressed that education remains a powerful tool for shaping responsible citizens and opening doors to future opportunities.
“We want you to be bold, hardworking, honest and disciplined. Believe that you can become anything you dream of—whether a doctor, teacher, pilot, engineer, artist or even a customs officer. The important thing is to keep learning and never give up,” she advised.
She also commended the teachers for their dedication and commitment to moulding the pupils, describing their role as priceless and assuring them that the support would help improve the learning environment.
Comptroller Atuluku further thanked sister security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Immigration Service and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as officers and men of Customs Area I Command, for their roles in organising the CSR project.
As part of the donation, the pupils received Customs-branded notebooks, school bags and school uniforms, items Atuluku said were meant to motivate them and support their academic pursuits.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, represented by Mr. Emmanuel Onumgbu, thanked the Customs Area Controller for the gesture, saying the Rivers State Government and the Ministry of Education were delighted by the Service’s investment in education.
Similarly, the Head Teacher of Model Primary School I, Orominike, Mrs. Etete Awajirowa Ataisi, expressed gratitude to the Nigeria Customs Service, assuring that the pupils would make judicious use of the donated materials.
The pupils, visibly excited, described the event as memorable and offered prayers for Comptroller Atuluku and the entire Nigeria Customs Service, asking God to grant them wisdom, strength and steadfastness in the discharge of their duties.
Dignitaries at the event included the National President of COWA, Mrs. Kikelomo Adewale Adeniyi, members of her executive, officials of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Police Force, teachers, customs officers and other stakeholders.
