By Andrew Utulu
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), in a grand style last Thursday, stormed the premises of Christ Assembly Nursery and Primary School in Ajegunle, Ajeromi/Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos.
In fact, the leadership and community members of the Local Government Area were full of excitement and commendation of the NCS at the event, which was the unveiling of the renovated school under the ‘Customs Cares’ initiatives prompted the renovation of the school, which was already in a state of dilapidation.
The school was also equipped with furniture and other learning materials aimed at empowering the future generation through education and via the NCS pet project, Customs Cares.
The school, which was established in 1960 no doubt was given quality and a remarkable facelift, which included state-of-the-art facilities, to enhance seamless learning.
The project was adopted and funded by Tin Can Island Port Command of the NCS, under the leadership of Comptroller Frank Onyeka, the Customs Area Controller of the Command, in collaboration with the Customs National Headquarters, Abuja, as well as with support of other well-meaning stakeholders.
On ground to unveil the project was Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who was excited that the facility from then on would continue to provide a better learning environment for students.
He added that this had ignited the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
“We are happy that our intervention has provided a better learning environment for all our students, but more importantly, we are happy that our intervention has really ignited the renewed hope that our children can learn under a good environment and can aspire to be the very best that they could in their career.”
He disclosed that apart from education under the CSR programme, the Nigeria Customs Service has identified five other pillars to support the president’s Sustainable Development Goals’ priorities.
These, he said, include “intervention in healthcare, supporting the creative industries, providing water access to less-privileged Nigerians, and supporting information technology.
Disclosing plans for further interventions, Adeniyi said that developing the facilities in the near-by Maracana Stadium to serve as a playground for the school, would be the next step, while calling for local council partnership.
According to him, the NCS “will actively support sports and talent development to nurture future champions.
Meanwhile, Adeniyi said the NCS’ CSR target for 2025 is to directly provide school bags, notebooks, school shoes, rain jackets and umbrellas, among others, to 50,000 students.
Of this number, “we have done about 10,000, out of which 3,000 are from Lagos. Today, we are going to reach out to 2,000 school pupils and we have all of these learning aids to give them under our creative economy pillar.
“Under health delivery, our target is to reach out to 10 million Nigerians through our various intervention programmes. It is our belief that what we are doing is in line with the mandate of the Nigeria Customs Service through our corporate social responsibility obligation.”
According to him, the aim is to “recognise that all our communities where we serve have remained strong pillars of support for us.”
He added that in reciprocating this support, “we are discussing with other agencies of government, civil societies and other international agencies to see the possibility of partnering with them to leverage our better access to resources.”
The CGC also commended the Tin Can Island Port Customs Area Controller, Compt. Frank Onyeka, and his team for identifying the intervention project and ensuring its delivery.
Noting that 75 percent of Customs revenue and operations at the seaports, airports and land borders come from Lagos, he stressed that this justified the decision to locate a Customs University of Trade, Commerce and Technology in Badagry.
He disclosed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved 50 hectares of land for the NCS to start this project, adding that already, the National Assembly has approved the budget for the institution, which, according to him, will not only redefine the agency’s obligation to its host-community, but also change the landscape of education in the country.
“The Customs is not in competition with any government agency, but recognises that the communities Customs Commands are located have been a strong pillar of support and we deem it fit to pay back to the society. We will make sure to collaborate with other sister agencies to do more for our communities.”
While pointing out the value of education, CGC Adeniyi advised the pupils to take their studies seriously, adding that they can aspire to be the very best in their careers. He charged them to make judicious use of the facilities to excel in their academics, promising to do more for the school in the future.
Adeniyi also commended the officers and men of the Tin Can Customs Port Command, as well as the input of other stakeholders in the realisation of the project.
Also speaking during a vote of thanks, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Tin Can Command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka thanked the CGC for the opportunity to serve and be a part of the laudable initiative.
He also appreciated stakeholders of the Command for their support and partnership on the project.
“I really want to commend the Headmistress of the school and the ES (Educational Secretary), teachers and students for their determination and role in making sure the project was a success,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the Olu Iwa of Apapa Kingdom, HRM, Oba Moroof Oyekunle Oluwa commended Customs for the CSR initiative.
The royal father called on other government agencies operating in the area, particularly the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to also contribute to the growth of the community.
Similarly, the lawmaker representing the Ajeromi/Ifelodun in the Federal Constituency, Hon. Kalejaiye Adeboye Paul appreciated the Customs and implored other agencies to emulate the NCS. He stated that the facility would be well utilised for the benefit of the pupils and community.
Also, the Lagos State Commissioner of Education, Tolani Ali-Balogun appreciated the Customs for the project, adding that it is leverage to what the state government is doing in the educational sector.
While promising that the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in the state would ensure proper maintenance of the project, he charged parents and community leaders to contribute their quota to its sustainability.
The outgoing Chairman, Ajeromi-Ifelodun LGA, Fatai Ayoola, thanked the Customs for bringing succour to the community and ameliorating the suffering of the people, saying, “It is the first time we are seeing this kind of developmental support in our community.”
The Educational Secretary, Ajeromi-Ifelodun LGA, Barr. Remi-Williams Abiola commended the NCS, describing the project as a unique one.
The school’s Headmistress, Mrs Esther Ogunfuyi, who appreciated the Customs’ “generosity and concern for education,” said the agency’s support and partnership had made a meaningful impact in the school.
Her words: “We are here to acknowledge and celebrate something truly special, the renovation and adoption of our school by the Nigeria Custom Service, Tin Can Island Port Command, Apapa, Lagos.
“This transformation we see around us is more than just new walls, fresh paint or improved facilities. It is a reflection of your belief in the potential of our pupil, your commitment to quality education and your desire to make a lasting difference.
“By renovating our school, you have given us a renewed sense of pride and hope, and by adopting us, you have gone even further, you are committed to walking this journey with us offering continued support and partnership that will shape the future of our learners.
“We do not take this for granted, your generosity has created a safer, more inspiring and more dignified environment for teaching and learning.”
Apart from sharing educational materials to pupils, the Service also provided free medical check-ups for both the young and old at the event.
To the pupils, the CGC emphasised the importance of education and diligence for growth and wellbeing in the future, as well as career advancement.
Recalling the efforts of the school principal that made the school emerge the National Overall Best about 10 years ago, he charged the pupils to make the best use of the facilities provided, and to also excel in their academic performance.
“We have officially adopted your school, you are now members of our family,” Adeniyi told the pupils.
According to him, though he is at the topmost rank in his career, he has continued to expand knowledge “because education is life-changing”. Adeniyi told the pupils that he started from primary school like theirs, adding that God ensured that education became a road map for his rise to the apex of his career.
Meanwhile, the CGC explained that the inspiration for the ongoing Customs Corporate Social Responsibility programme was a modest intervention provided by time and supported by stakeholders.
Recalling the extent of dilapidation of the school structures and facilities before the intervention kicked off about two months ago, Adeniyi expressed delight that the NCS has “brought smiles into the faces of our officers, our pupils and their teachers.”
