The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, has endorsed the nationwide expansion of climate advocacy initiatives within the Service, calling for the replication of the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA) Green Border Initiative across commands and communities in Nigeria.
The Customs boss made the call through the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs, Timi Bomodi, during the “Walk for a Greener Nigeria” campaign held in Abuja.
He described the initiative as a timely intervention that aligns with ongoing national and global efforts aimed at promoting environmental sustainability, ecological preservation, and public health.
According to DCG Bomodi, the project, which has already facilitated the planting of over 1,000 trees in selected border communities, should be expanded beyond border formations to communities across the country.
“This is a remarkable green initiative by COWA and deserves commendation. Though it started at the borders, it should not end there. We want to see it replicated across the nation because a greener environment promotes healthier living,” he said.
He noted that tree planting remains one of the most practical and effective responses to the growing threats posed by climate change.
“The more trees and green leaves we have around us, the fresher the air we breathe,” Bomodi added, stressing the need for deliberate environmental action to build healthier communities.
He further explained that establishing sustainable green ecosystems around Customs formations and host communities would provide long-term environmental and public health benefits.
Earlier, the National President of the Customs Officers’ Wives Association and wife of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Kikelomo Adeniyi, said the Green Border Initiative was conceived as a practical response to the growing impact of climate change on communities across Nigeria.
She disclosed that the association had already extended the project to strategic border communities including Idiroko, Seme, and Ufom, with plans underway to expand the programme to more locations nationwide.
“Climate change affects everyone, whether in border communities or urban centres. Pollution and poor air quality are issues that concern all of us,” she stated.
Mrs Adeniyi added that beyond environmental restoration, the association was intentionally planting economic and food-bearing trees to create lasting value for future generations.
“The food we consume today exists because someone planted trees years ago. We are planting not only for today but for generations yet unborn,” she said.
Also speaking at the event, the first-ever United Nations Global Advocate, Mariam Hassan, commended the initiative, describing it as a bold grassroots response to one of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
“When we talk about climate change, we must understand that it directly affects our people and communities. COWA taking the lead in supporting a greener Nigeria is highly commendable,” she said.
Mariam Hassan called for stronger collaboration between public institutions, development partners, and environmental stakeholders to help scale the initiative across Nigeria.
The exercise attracted participation from presidents of various officers’ wives associations, representatives of government ministries and parastatals, sister security agencies, environmental advocates, and notable personalities from Nigeria’s entertainment and public service sectors.