COWA Launches Green Ambassadors Initiative to Promote Environmental Responsibility Among Students
Kathy Kyari
The Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA) has intensified efforts to promote environmental sustainability among young Nigerians with the launch of a major environmental education workshop aimed at grooming students as advocates for climate action and responsible environmental practices.
The workshop, themed “Green Barracks, Green Borders: Advancing Environmental Stewardship for a Carbon-Responsible Future,” was held at the Nigeria Customs Secondary School, Idiroko, which brought together students, educators, customs officials, and environmental advocates to promote grassroots action against climate change and environmental degradation.
Speaking at the event, the President of COWA, Kikelomo Adeniyi, said the initiative goes beyond symbolic environmental activities such as tree planting, stressing that it seeks to instill lasting environmental responsibility in young Nigerians.
According to her, the gathering marks the beginning of a broader national effort to raise environmentally conscious citizens.
“Today is special not because we are gathered in a hall or school compound, but because we are planting something much bigger than trees,” she said. “We are planting responsibility, awareness, and leadership in the hearts of our children.”
Adeniyi noted that communities across the world are increasingly facing environmental challenges including flooding, plastic pollution, and rising temperatures, adding that meaningful environmental change must begin at the community and school levels.
The workshop forms part of COWA’s Green Borders Sustainability Initiative, a national programme designed to promote environmental awareness across customs formations, surrounding communities, and schools.
As part of the programme, the association also launched the Adopt-a-School Campaign, under which the Nigeria Customs Service School will serve as the first Green Border Eco-School.
Under the initiative, 250 students drawn from five customs commands — Apapa, PTML, KLT, FOU Zone A, and the host command will be trained as Green Ambassadors tasked with promoting environmental awareness within their schools and communities.
“These students will learn not only mathematics and languages,” Adeniyi explained, “but also how to plant trees, reduce waste, keep their environment clean, and lead others in protecting nature.”
Highlighting the importance of youth engagement in environmental protection, she encouraged students to take active roles in safeguarding their surroundings.
“When a child learns to plant a tree, that child becomes a protector of nature. When a student learns to reduce waste, an entire household is influenced,” she said.
She also urged the students to see themselves as “young green guardians” responsible for protecting their schools, communities, and the future.
Welcoming the National President of COWA, the Acting Customs Area Controller of the Nigeria Customs Service Ogun I Area Command, DC Oladapo Afeni described the visit as both historic and symbolic.
“Your visit today is not only historic but symbolic. It underscores the deep commitment of COWA under your purposeful leadership to promoting environmental sustainability, community development, and the welfare of families within the Customs community, especially along our border corridors,” the Acting Controller said.
He noted that the Green Border initiative aligns with global and national calls for environmental protection, while also complementing the operational objectives of the command.
“The Green Border, as we understand it, aligns perfectly with global and national calls for environmental responsibility. Here at Ogun I Command, we are deeply conscious of the delicate balance between trade facilitation, border security, and environmental preservation.”
“This initiative, therefore, comes as a welcome complement to our operational goals, particularly as we continue to strengthen partnerships with our host communities for peace, security, and prosperity.”
The Acting Controller also praised the COWA National President for expanding the association’s role beyond humanitarian support to include environmental stewardship.
“Permit me, therefore, to commend you, Madam President, for your visionary leadership and for taking COWA beyond its traditional humanitarian mandate into areas of sustainability and ecological stewardship. Your passion for the wellbeing of officers’ families and border communities is evident in this innovative step.”
He further acknowledged the efforts of the COWA Ogun I Chapter executives for their commitment to implementing the national body’s vision at the grassroots level.
“I also wish to express profound appreciation to the Executive members of COWA Ogun I Chapter for their dedication and tireless efforts in mobilizing members and ensuring that the vision of the national body is effectively implemented at the grassroots level.”
Reaffirming the command’s support for welfare and development initiatives, he said programmes that promote sustainability are crucial to maintaining peaceful and productive border communities.
“At Ogun I Command, we remain fully supportive of all COWA programmes and initiatives that promote welfare, empowerment, and sustainable development. We believe that a greener border environment is not just beneficial to our communities, but also essential to our mission of maintaining safe and prosperous borders.”
Also speaking at the workshop, public health expert Juliet Nnenna Eya highlighted the health risks associated with environmental mismanagement.
She warned that indiscriminate waste disposal, deforestation, burning of refuse, and excessive emissions from vehicles and generators significantly contribute to climate change and public health challenges.
According to her, the extreme heat currently being experienced in many parts of the country carries serious health implications, including skin infections, kidney complications, and increased vulnerability to diseases.
“Extreme heat forces the body to pump more blood to the skin to cool itself, which puts stress on other organs like the kidneys,” she explained. “This can lead to dehydration, kidney stones, and even kidney failure.”
Eya also noted that poor sanitation conditions can encourage the spread of infectious diseases such as meningitis, Lassa fever, cholera, and malaria.
She explained that rodents attracted by improperly disposed waste can spread Lassa fever, while stagnant water caused by blocked drainage systems provides breeding grounds for mosquitoes responsible for malaria.
Flooding caused by blocked waterways, she added, often contaminates drinking water sources, leading to outbreaks of waterborne diseases.
Both speakers stressed that protecting the environment requires collective action from individuals, schools, and communities.
Dr. Eya urged residents to adopt simple practices such as proper waste disposal, recycling, clearing drainage systems, and planting trees.
“When we destroy the environment, we destroy our health,” she said. “And when health is destroyed, productivity and wealth are also affected.”
The workshop ended with a call for sustained environmental education, the establishment of eco-clubs in schools, and continuous engagement with young people to build a generation that understands that environmental protection is a shared responsibility.
As Adeniyi reminded the students, the planet must be preserved for future generations.
“The earth we enjoy today was not given to us by our parents,” she said. “It was borrowed from our children, and it is our duty to return it in better condition than we found it.”
The event concluded with a symbolic tree-planting exercise within the school premises to reinforce the message that environmental change must be driven by concrete action.
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