…Says COWA gesture aligns with the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Agenda, advocating for empowerment of widows, protection of vulnerable families

The Customs Officers Wives Association COWA, Ogun 1 Command, Idiroko, has stressed the need to be prudent and cost-effective in the pursuit of good health, stressing that quality health begins with common sense, rather than money.

The COWA Chairperson for Ogun 1 Command, Mrs Fausat Ajoke Otunla, made the observation while amplifying the contextual message of the COWA President, Mrs Kemi Adeniyi, the wife of the Comptroller General of Customs, CGC, Dr Adewale Adeniyi MFR.

“You do not need to have up to N50,000 before you can eat something that builds your health, you may just start with fresh vegetables, followed by drinking plenty of water”, she counselled, at the two-day impactful health outreach held at the Command’s headquarters, and declared open by the Customs Area Controller, CAC, Gbenga Otunla.

She thanked the COWA President for the sincere and dedicated pursuit of her programme of focused support and promotion of family ideals of Customs personnel and their families, noting that it is a testament to COWA’s humanitarian spirit.

She was also thankful for the unwavering support her husband has given to her as COWA Chairperson.

Mrs Otunla, who represented the National President of COWA, Mrs Kikelomo Adeniyi, enjoined COWA members to holistically take care of themselves and their families.

She said, “You don’t need 50,000 to make a healthy pot of soup. Taking fresh vegetables and drinking clean water will go a long way”, Mrs Otunla counselled, calling attention to the association’s goals on sustainability, empowerment, and welfare of women and children. 

This, accordingly, aligns with the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which advocates for the empowerment of widows, protection of vulnerable families, and care for children.

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“COWA remains committed to improving the health and welfare of not only Customs families but also those in our surrounding communities,” Mrs Otunla further highlighted.

A Correspondent of  Maritime First observed that the the two-day event provided scores of beneficiaries, not fewer than 300 people, cutting across Customs personnel and their families; families of sisterly organisations and members of the community with totally free medical checks, particularly blood pressure, hepatitis screening, eye screening, blood sugar screening, and obesity; as well as other free medical consultations and drugs and eyeglasses distribution, under the watchful, professional eyes of Dr Zakariyah Abdulmalik of the Ogun 1 Custom Command, alongside other skilled medical personnel.

Speaking on the occasion before officially declaring it open, the CAC Comptroller Godwin Otunla charged everyone to make the best of the free medical services for their health.

 The Customs Area Controller commended the initiative, describing it as a key part of the association’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and an extension of the CGC’s Customs people-oriented policies. 

He particularly praised the policy thrust of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashiru Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, Ph.D, saying it consistently prioritises community engagement and welfare

One of the non-Customs security agencies and a few members of the communities who spoke at the occasion expressed satisfaction with both the medical checks and subsequent drugs distributed, saying it was truly timely and noteworthy.

The  Onita of Ita Ege, which is under the Ipokia Local Government, Oba Matthew Ademola Adesoye, specifically lauded the Nigeria Customs for the noble gesture, and prayed for the good health of both the wife of the CGC, Mrs Kemi Adeniyi, and the chapter chairperson, Fausat   Ajoke Otunla.

Speaking in the same vein, Dr Zakaria, while pointing out that “health is wealth”, emphasised the importance of medical checkups, stressing that when diseases are identified early enough, through medical checkups such as being provided by the COWA, as represented by Otunla and his wife, the probability of predicting a positive outcome becomes very high.

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She posited that health is not merely the absence of disease but a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, stressing that preventive care genuinely helps in the timely detection of silent killers such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol before they can cause real damage.

Dr Zakariyya also indicated that the 20-member medical team included two doctors, one pharmacist, four nurses, four medical records officers, two pharmaceutical technicians, three opticians, and four laboratory technicians.

 In a statement later issued by the Public Relations Officer for the Ogun I Command, Deputy Superintendent of Customs Chado Zakari, the outreach was described as COWA’s affirmation of an unwavering commitment to health and safety promotion within its host communities.

“The association is passionate about the well-being of people in the communities where we operate. In line with the CGC’s vision of cooperation, this initiative reinforces our belief that ‘Customs cares.

“The association is passionate about the well-being of people in the communities where we operate. In line with the CGC’s vision of cooperation, this initiative reinforces our belief that ‘Customs cares,’” the statement further said.

…Lagos CP says Sowore remains wanted

Lagos lawmaker, Mr Temitope Adewale, says President Bola Tinubu is irrevocably committed to the security of Nigeria and will deal ruthlessly with terrorists and their sponsors.

Adewale, representing Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, said this in a statement on Friday.

He was  reacting to recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, designating Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.”

The ranking lawmaker said President Tinubu remains fully committed to protecting Nigerians and strengthening the nation’s security architecture.

“President Bola Tinubu, as a father, is not happy that bandits and terrorists are trying to downplay the gains of his administration, just as they did with previous governments.”

“This is one reason the President ordered the newly appointed service chiefs to put a final end to insecurity. The current administration will never pamper terrorists or their sponsors,” he said

Adewale said the President had demonstrated strong leadership by overhauling the Armed Forces to ensure greater efficiency, discipline, and coordination in tackling the country’s security challenges.

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He noted that Tinubu’s decisive actions showed that Nigeria would not compromise with those threatening its unity and peace.

According to him, the President’s determination is already inspiring confidence among citizens and international partners who value Nigeria’s stability in Africa.

Adewale also praised Tinubu’s administration for its bold economic reforms, which he said were transforming the economy and restoring investor confidence.

“In the last two years, various countries and global organisations have acknowledged Nigeria’s growing economic success,” he said.

“The administration continues to open more pathways for growth, attract multi-billion-dollar investments, and revive moribund industries, proving that the government is on the right track,” he added.

The lawmaker said economic indices had continued to show positive trends, including a stronger currency and declining inflation for the first time in years.

“For the first time, sub-national governments are financially empowered to drive development in their states,” he said.

Adewale urged global powers, especially the United States, to support Nigeria’s progress rather than issue threats or negative classifications.

“What Nigeria deserves now is international collaboration and support, not undue criticism,” he said.

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He appealed to Nigerians to remain patient and committed to the Renewed Hope Agenda, assuring that the results of current reforms would soon meet citizens’ expectations.

“We must continue to encourage the new service chiefs to justify the President’s confidence in them and deliver lasting peace across the country,” Adewale said.

“With unity, discipline, and commitment, Nigeria will overcome insecurity and build a stronger, more prosperous nation under President Tinubu’s leadership,” he added.

In another development, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, has reaffirmed that political activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, remains wanted by the police, directing that he should be arrested anywhere he is found.

Speaking with journalists during the ‘Show of Force’ on the Third Mainland Bridge on Friday, CP Jimoh said the police had intensified security across the state to prevent a recurrence of the violent protests witnessed on Sept. 8.

He described the ongoing exercise as a confidence-building operation to assure residents of their safety.

“This is to ensure that we do not have any repeat of what happened on Sept. 8. Sowore is known for his antics.

“He is ignorant of the law and arrogant. I have declared him wanted.

“I have directed that anywhere he is seen, whether in a hotel, in transit, on the ground, or even at the airport, he should be apprehended and prosecuted,” the commissioner said.

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CP Jimoh revealed that the police had received intelligence reports about plans by Sowore and his associates to stage protests aimed at disrupting public peace, but officers acted swiftly to foil the plan.

“When he was planning the mayhem, we got information ahead and struck at the point where he had gathered about 300 protesters.”

“In the process, 13 were apprehended, and the vehicle they intended to use to block the Third Mainland Bridge was recovered.”

“Those suspects have since been arraigned and remanded in custody,” he added.

The police boss said that the activist had been evading arrest.

“If he is bold enough to show up in Abuja, why can’t he show up in Lagos? Let him come forward and face the law,” Jimoh challenged.

He emphasised that the police had the constitutional authority to declare anyone wanted if their actions threatened public safety.

“Under Section 215, subsections 1(b), 4, and 5 of the Constitution, I have the power to protect lives and property and maintain law and order.”

“I deem it fit to declare Sowore wanted because of his threat to the peace and welfare of Lagos residents,” he said.

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The commissioner said that the temporary closure of the Berger Bus Stop was a preventive measure to forestall unrest, noting that it was reopened daily by 3:00 p.m. with alternative traffic routes provided for commuters.

CP Jimoh urged Lagos residents to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring that the state remains peaceful and under effective security surveillance.

“The entire Lagos is safe. We are on the ground 24/7 to ensure residents go about their lawful businesses without fear,” he said.

…NIS intensifies border patrol, monitoring in C’River over Illegal migration

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) said, on Friday, it intercepted a tanker loaded with 60,000 litres of petrol, suspected to be diverted to the border area in the state.

The tanker, suspected to be enroute to the border area for smuggling, was intercepted on the Jibia Road on Sept. 30 by the NCS’s special task force, ‘Operation Whirlwind’.

The National Coordinator of the task force, ACG Kola Oladeji, disclosed this while handing over the tanker to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in Katsina.

Oladeji was represented by the Commander Kano/Jigawa and Katsina axis, AC Sa’ad Isah-Yahaya.

According to him, the success was recorded in a decisive move to curb the smuggling of petroleum products and enforce national energy regulations in the country.

“The interception, which took place during a coordinated patrol operation on Jibia Road, was part of the service’s ongoing efforts to combat the illicit diversion of petroleum products and protect Nigeria’s economic interest.”

“The tanker, suspected to be enroute to a border area for possible smuggling, was apprehended based on the grounds of a fake manifest and improper documentation,” he said.

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Oladeji reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to upholding the government’s directives against fuel smuggling and ensuring that all petroleum products meant for domestic consumption remained in the country.

“This handover underscores our determination to support national energy security and collaborate effectively with sister agencies like the NMDPRA.”

“Together, we’re sending a strong message that economic sabotage through fuel diversion will not be tolerated,” he said.

He affirmed the commitment of the task force to the fight against smuggling, economic sabotage, and all acts capable of undermining the nation’s energy distribution framework.

Receiving the tanker, the NMDPRA Coordinator in the state, Mr Mohammed Omar, commended the NCS for its vigilance and inter-agency cooperation.

He emphasised the importance of synergy in sanitising the sector and appreciated the proactive role of the Customs in intercepting illegal movements of petroleum products.

“NMDPRA remains committed to ensuring proper monitoring, accountability, and compliance within the sector,” he said. 

In another development, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) in Cross River says it has started regular patrol and monitoring of border areas to tackle illegal and irregular migrations.

The Deputy Comptroller, NIS command in Cross River,  Ibiama Oshiokamel, made the disclosure at a public sensitisation programme in Calabar on Friday.

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The sensitisation programme, which is being held simultaneously nationwide, has the theme: “Say No to Migrant Smuggling: If you must, Migrate Orderly, Safely and Regularly”

Oshiokamel said that the immigration service would deploy both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to address the challenges of illegal and irregular migration.

She also said that the service would continue to hold sensitisation programmes to create awareness on the inherent dangers of illegal migration.

“The dangers in illegal and irregular migration far outweigh what people see as the benefits. So there is a need for everyone to rise against this menace,” she said.

“We are not preaching against travelling, we are saying that those travelling should follow the rules by obtaining the right documents through the regular channels,” she said.

Also speaking, Bissong Bestman, a Deputy Superintendent of Immigration, said that the sensitisation programme was in the interest of the public.

Bestman said that people who got involved in illegal migration had most times fallen prey to financial scams, sexual exploitation and human trafficking.

The NIS official urged members of the public to follow laid-down rules while planning to travel out of the country in their own interests.

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