COWA Empowers 37 Women, Moves Into Green Ventures
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA) has empowered 37 newly trained beneficiaries under the Federal Operations Unit, Zone A, Lagos, in a renewed drive to boost family income and promote sustainable livelihoods.
The empowerment event, held on Sunday at the Customs Training College, Ikeja, was themed “Empowering Women, Strengthening Families.” It attracted top Customs officers, COWA executives, and other stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, the National President of COWA, Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi, said the association was shifting its focus from traditional skills training to climate-friendly and income-generating ventures such as recycling and waste conversion.
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“When you empower a woman, you empower a nation. We want our women to run real enterprises that generate real income. The world has moved into sustainability and climate-positive innovation, and we must not be left behind,” she said.
Mrs. Adeniyi also unveiled the Green Border Sustainability Initiative, designed to train Customs officers’ wives in waste-to-wealth enterprises and integrate them into the circular economy.
She disclosed plans to establish Eco Hubs for women, beginning in Abuja, with 10 more centres to be set up across border communities.
The COWA boss also revealed ongoing environmental restoration activities, including the planting of 73 trees at the Leila border, with similar exercises planned for Seme and Idiroko.
“COWA is not doing this for show. These tools are not souvenirs; they are instruments of livelihood. We are building women who create value, keep stable homes, and train others. When you uplift a family, you uplift a nation,” she added.
Acting COWA Chairperson, FOU Zone A, Dr. Juliet Eya, commended the national leadership for turning its empowerment goals into measurable outcomes.
She said additional grants would be provided to women already running small businesses, as well as to widows and retired members.
Host of the event, Comptroller FOU ‘A’, Mohammed Shuaibu, praised the initiative, describing it as an investment in the welfare of officers’ families.
“Strengthening the home front strengthens the Service. Empowered wives become entrepreneurs, and that strengthens both the household and the nation,” he said.
