The Customs Officers’ Wives Association has planted 14,882 trees and mobilised more than 682 Green Ambassadors nationwide in its first year of the Green Borders and Sustainability Initiative, while recording thousands of interventions in education, healthcare and women’s empowerment.
The association, led by its National President, Mrs Kikelomo Adeniyi, disclosed the achievements as the initiative marked its first anniversary, highlighting efforts to promote environmental protection and improve livelihoods in communities across the country.
COWA also recorded 6,093 community education and social outreach engagements, 4,041 health and wellness interventions, and 1,138 beneficiaries of its skills acquisition programmes within the period.
Adeniyi described the milestones as evidence of the impact of collective action and sustained advocacy in advancing environmental sustainability and community development.
“The 14,882 trees planted and over 682 Green Ambassadors mobilised within one year demonstrate what can be achieved through collective action, sustained advocacy and a shared responsibility for protecting our environment,” she said.
A major highlight was the nationwide campaign to plant 1,000 trees in one hour on April 30, 2026, alongside the Walk for a Greener Nigeria climate advocacy campaign in Abuja and Green Border Day activities across participating regions.
The association also launched its Adopt-a-School Campaign at COWA School, Idiroko, Ogun State, establishing what it described as the first Green Borders Eco-School and introducing an Eco-Club to educate pupils on environmental protection.
Other interventions included planting 100 fruit trees at Government Secondary School, Jabi, Abuja, adopting 250 pupils at COWA School, Idiroko, and introducing Eco-Clubs at Apapa and Tin Can Island Commands.
Environmental awareness programmes were also conducted at Kirikiri Lighter Terminal Command, while airport commands promoted sustainability through school adoption initiatives.
The association further strengthened its environmental campaign through the Clean Barracks Campaign, Green Barracks exercises in the Federal Capital Territory and clean-up activities across Nigeria Customs Service barracks.
It also organised a World Environment Day workshop for children, reinforcing the need to instil environmental responsibility in younger generations.
Beyond tree planting, COWA pursued programmes focused on education, child development and family welfare, including an essay-writing competition, a back-to-school initiative and drug abuse awareness activities at Coronation Preparatory Academy in the FCT and other Customs commands.
The association also commemorated International Family Day by supporting families of fallen officers.
In the healthcare sector, COWA donated 250 blood pressure monitoring machines to women in Nasarawa State to mark World Hypertension Day.
The intervention was aimed at promoting preventive healthcare and improving access to basic health-monitoring equipment.
On women’s economic empowerment, the association graduated its third cohort of trainees from the COWA Skills Acquisition Centre and organised an Ideas to Income workshop in Gwagwalada, Abuja.
The programmes were designed to equip women with practical skills for financial independence and enterprise development.
Other activities included dance aerobics and basic response training for women, alongside initiatives to improve family wellbeing and community resilience.
Adeniyi also commissioned the COWA Shopping Centre at Mobay and Abdulwahab Customs Quarters as part of efforts to expand community-based commercial facilities and advance the association’s welfare objectives.
The visit of Baroness Verma of the United Kingdom House of Lords to the COWA Secretariat in Abuja provided another opportunity for the association to showcase its work in sustainable community development.
Adeniyi said the association’s sustainability agenda went beyond planting trees to include interventions that improved livelihoods and strengthened families.
“At COWA, we believe that environmental sustainability must go hand in hand with human development,” she said.
“Our interventions in education, healthcare, skills acquisition and women’s empowerment are designed to strengthen families, improve livelihoods and equip individuals with the capacity to contribute meaningfully to their communities.”
As the initiative enters its second year, the association pledged to expand environmental restoration, strengthen community partnerships, promote women’s empowerment and support healthier, more resilient families.
It also stressed the importance of collaboration among the Nigeria Customs Service, educational institutions, government agencies, community stakeholders, development partners and volunteers in sustaining the achievements.
Calling on Nigerians, particularly women and young people, to embrace environmental responsibility, Adeniyi said building a greener country required collective commitment.
“Building a greener Nigeria requires the commitment of everyone. We encourage individuals, schools, communities and institutions to embrace sustainable practices, plant and protect trees, and actively participate in initiatives that promote a cleaner, healthier and more resilient society,” she said.