CUSTOMS CSR UNIT KICKS OFF SOCIAL INTERVENTION PROJECTS IN GRAND STYLE
*** Renovates and Equips Local Authority Nursery and Primary School, Sagbokoji
By Mcanthony Onuoha
The Corporate Social Responsibility Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service has kicked off a nationwide social intervention projects tagged Customs Cares.
MP Ibrahim fsi, Comptroller, Corporate Social Responsibility Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS)
The initiative was officially unveiled on the 20th of March, 2025 at Government Secondary School, Wuse, Zone 3, Abuja, by the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR.
The Launch was attended by Honourable Ministers, Heads of Agencies, civil society organizations, and key private sector stakeholders.
The CGC, and
the Comptroller, Corporate Social Responsibility Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service, MP Ibrahim fsi, alongside her team, the Assistant Comptroller General (ACG), Zone A, Charles Orbih, CAC, of Apapa Command, Compt. Olumo, the CAC of Tincan Command, Compt Frank Onyeka, the CAC of Western Marine Command, the CAC of Seme Border Command and others, on Wednesday, 30th of April, 2025, converged on Local Authority Nursery and Primary School, Sagbokoji, in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, Lagos State, to launch the initiative.
In her welcome address, the Comptroller, CSR Unit, MP Ibrahim fsi, thanked the CGC for the initiative, saying that it was not just a programme but a reaffirmation of the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to community development, human capital investment, and national progress.
The Comptroller commended the CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, for his visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to institutional reform, which she said, laid the foundation for the historic moment.
According to Comptroller Ibrahim, ” under his stewardship, the service has not only championed bold reforms in trade facilitation and border governance, but is also reimagining its role as a socially responsible institution, responsive to the needs, concerns, and aspirations of the Nigerian people.”
“Today’s event in Lagos is an intentional move to bring that national vision closer to the people. The Nigeria Customs Service firmly believes that effective CSR must be grounded in local realities.”
“Through the Customs Cares initiative, we are prioritizing interventions that are inclusive, impactful, and community- specific. This Zonal launch enables us to directly engage our stakeholders ,residents, youths, schools, community leaders, and civil society groups in co- designing solutions that reflect the true needs of our people. From educational support to youth empowerment, health outreach, and environmental sustainability projects, Customs Cares is designed to build bridges of trust between the Service and the public. It is also a platform for fostering peace, cooperation, and shared development at the grassroots level,” the Comptroller stated.
Meanwhile, Local Authority Nursery and Primary School Sagbokoji is the first Community School adopted by Customs Cares initiative in Lagos. It now has a befitting school environment following the renovation of the classrooms, with good toilet facility, potable water, quality health care facility with fixed solar panels because of the need for off grid light.
The school was also provided with learning materials which include stationary, school bags, sandals and all that they need to be comfortable in school.
According to the Comptroller, the intervention would be extended to other parts of the country but in the policy of “Adopt a School”. And assured that her team would be visiting the schools from time to time to monitor their progress and also make sure they do the needful.
Over seven hundred pupils benefitted from the initiative, receiving writing materials, textbooks, sandals, bags, mosquito nets, while Stakeholders had the opportunity to go through routine health checks for Blood pressure, sugar levels and others.
Speaking at the launch, the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, noted that before selecting the school, extensive consultation was made and rigorous processes were taken before the initiative embarked on the renovation.
“On education, we are undertaking projects that will have direct impact on our students. You can see the exercise books, textbooks, sandals and school bags we bought for the students of this school. Apart from those that have direct impact on students, we have also improved infrastructure where we see deficiency and we have decided to renovate the entire school. I am happy that through our partners and the stakeholders, we have been able to deliver on this project”.
Furthermore, the CGC said that, “another critical pillar of what we are doing is the health care delivery. You are going to see what we have done to the health center of this community. What we are doing in the school today is just the beginning”.
” Beyond that, we know there are other infrastructural deficits, while we might not be able to do virtually everything, l can assure you that the Federal Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Lagos State Government have listening ears, and we will join in your advocacy to make a strong case for some other remaining infrastructure that are needed in this community. I have seen the need for a connecting bridge for some of these communities that have Secondary Schools so that your children can benefit from what is happening in those places”, the CG stated.
