To enhance learning among Primary and Secondary School pupils, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), has set a target of equipping 50,000 school pupils across the country.
This was even as the service said it was targeting to impact the lives of 10 million Nigerians through various intervention programmes
Speaking on Thursday during the official commissioning of the newly renovated Christ Assembly Nursery and Primary School, in Lagos, under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Initiative, called ‘Customs Cares,’ the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said the target of the service in 2025 is to directly reach out to 50,000 students by supporting them with educational items.
According to the Customs CG, the intervention has provided a better learning environment for students and has ignited the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
He highlighted that the NCS had achieved part of this goal with help already rendered to 12,000 students; with 5,000 of them in Lagos, including 2,000 presented with items yesterday.
The school, established in 1960 and located in Araromi, the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area of Lagos, received a remarkable facelift and was equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to promote education.
The project, which was adopted and funded by Tin Can Island Port Command, in collaboration with the Headquarters in Abuja, has provided pupils in the community, as well as their teachers, with a conducive learning environment.
According to him, Customs will continue to touch lives in other areas such as healthcare, sports, Information Communication Technology (ICT), the creative industry, as well as support for the less privileged in society.
His words: “Our next intervention will be to support sports development in the community. We will team up with you to see how we can develop the facilities in Maracana as the Chairman has mentioned.
“The Customs is not in competition with any government agency, but recognises that the communities in which its Customs Commands are located have been a strong pillar of support, and we deem it fit to pay back to society. Will will make sure to collaborate with other sister agencies to do more for our communities”.
While pointing out the value of education, 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.
He 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.
On his part, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Tin Can Command, Frank Onyeka thanked the CGC for the opportunity to serve and be a part of the laudable initiative. He also appreciated the stakeholders of the Command for their support and partnership on the project.
“I want to commend the Headmistress of the school and the ES, 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, and 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 Federal Representative for Ajeromi/Ifelodun Constituency,
Kalejaiye Adeboye Paul appreciated Customs and implored other agencies to emulate the NCS. He stated that the facility will be well utilised for the benefit of the pupils and community.
Also, the Lagos State Commissioner of Education, Tolani Ali-Balogun appreciated Customs for the project, adding that it is a leverage to what the state government is doing in the educational sector.
While promising that the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in the state will 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 Customs for bringing succour to the community and ameliorating the sufferings 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, who also shared the Chairman’s sentiment, described the project as unique.
The school Headmistress, Esther Ogunfuyi, who appreciated the Customs’ “generosity and concern for education”, said the agency’s support and partnership have made a meaningful impact on the school.
Her words: “We are here to acknowledge and celebrate something truly special, the renovation and adoption of our school by the Nigeria Customs 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 pupils, 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”.
