By Bon Peters
Port Harcourt, Rivers State – In a bid to elevate the welfare of officers’ wives at the Port Harcourt Area 11 Customs Command, the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA) at the Onne Area 11 Command recently inaugurated a new Secretariat, Canteen, and unisex Salon. Additionally, the association generously contributed food items to the widows of the Command.
The commissioning ceremony, held at Onne, witnessed the national President of the Association, Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi, emphasizing the importance of active participation in COWA activities. Addressing officers of designated ranks (ASC), she underscored the manifold benefits of joining, noting that COWA’s initiatives consistently impact society positively.
Mrs. Adeniyi lauded the Onne Command for its collaborative efforts, stating, “I am happy with all the programs and projects that you have undertaken. These programs align with the objectives of COWA, which are geared towards the improved welfare of members and the public.”
During the event, Mrs. Yakaka Imam, the wife of the Onne Commandant and the host, expressed gratitude for the visit, pledging the chapter’s unwavering support for the union’s ideals.
Beneficiaries of COWA’s outreach efforts, including Mrs. Ogba Joan, expressed their appreciation for the gesture, highlighting the distribution of cash gifts, bags of rice, and other consumables to widows.
Deancon Chinedu Ikenga, the Secretary-General of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Onne Seaport chapter, commended COWA’s revitalization under Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi’s leadership. He drew parallels between her leadership style and that of the Comptroller General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, pledging ANLCA’s full support for COWA activities.
Comptroller Kayode Kolade, Acting Customs Area Controller, Federal Operations Unit Zone C, Owerri, emphasized the necessity of reviving COWA. He stated, “We need our wives to help cushion the effects of job and stress,” expressing gratitude to the Comptroller General for reinvigorating COWA after a seven-year hiatus.
Mr. Chidera Oganuzor, Managing Director and Chairman of Odest Bonded Terminal, lauded COWA as a positive development, providing officers’ wives with a sense of belonging. He encouraged support for such altruistic gestures, emphasizing their potential to positively impact lives.
The event, which featured cultural dance displays, the commissioning of the COWA office and canteen, and the distribution of food items, marked a significant stride in COWA’s commitment to community service and the welfare of its members.
