ONNE/Nigeria: Mrs. Jemima Emmanuel Agom, the widow of a customs officer killed in the line of duty over two years ago, has expressed gratitude to the Nigeria Customs Service for their continued support since her husband’s death.
Mrs. Agom, a mother of three from Benue State, revealed that the Customs Service has been taking care of her and her family since the tragic incident.
Her remarks came following the presentation of a brand new TECNO POP 8 Android phone, valued at over N100,000, as part of the empowerment program by the Chairperson of the Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA), Onne Command, Hajia Amina A. Babandede. The presentation took place on Monday, September 9, at the Customs Barracks in Ebubu, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Reflecting on the challenges she has faced since her husband’s death, Mrs. Agom, who sells Akara at the barracks, said in pidgin, “Since my husband die two years and four months ago, no communication. I am happy today because I didn’t expect this; it came as a surprise, but the phone has wiped my tears.”
She further explained that the phone will help her stay in touch with her family and improve her business. “This phone go do plenty things for my business. Since my husband die, no communicating, but now I go reach everybody for my business and my family,” she said.
Despite the hardship, Mrs. Agom expressed gratitude for the support she has received from the Customs Service, saying, “Customs dealways take care of their wives. Since my husband die, Customs de take care of me.” She also prayed for blessings on COWA and Hajia Babandede for their kindness.
Superintendent of Customs (SC) Leticia Ikegwuonu, the COWA liaison officer who represented the Onne COWA Chairperson, explained that the initiative was designed to help Mrs. Agom adapt to the digital age. “With this phone, she can communicate with her children who are in higher education, her family, and the society at large. It can also help expand her business,” Ikegwuonu said.
Hajia Babandede highlighted that the empowerment program at Onne Command follows the footsteps of the COWA National President, Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi, who has been empowering widows and members across various customs commands.
“Our national president has been going from one command to another, empowering members, including widows, by providing food, training in cosmetics, fashion designing, and more,” she noted, adding that Onne Command will continue to replicate these efforts.
Babandede also announced upcoming empowerment programs aimed at further supporting customs officers’ wives and widows. “We are not only training our members in fashion designing and other skills, but we will also provide them with starter packs to help them begin their businesses immediately after the training.”
She encouraged other customs officers’ wives to join COWA, emphasizing the numerous benefits of the association. “Customs officers should allow their wives to identify with COWA. The benefits are enormous. They can learn skills that will benefit them and their families,” Babandede said.
The event culminated in the presentation of the Android phone to Mrs. Jemima by COWA Barracks Secretary, Mrs. Habibat Ogbeba, and Provost, Mrs. Philomena Isibor, on behalf of Hajia Amina Babandede.
