By Muhammad Bashir
The National President of the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), Mrs. Kikelomo Adewale Adeniyi, on Monday, 21st October 2024, presided over a crucial meeting of the national executive members, outlining the association’s strategic vision for the future while reflecting on its previous activities.
The meeting, which took place at the Old Federal Secretariat in Abuja, focused not only on reviewing previous achievements of the association but also on setting the foundation for impactful programmes aimed at empowering women in various sectors.
According to Mrs. Adeniyi, “COWA has experienced significant growth and transformation in recent times. From the beginning of this year 2024, our association was able to organise range of training sessions and workshops designed to equip women with essential skills.”
She also highlighted numerous empowerment initiatives that have been successfully implemented, revitalising COWA and positioning it as a key force in the development of women, “for instance the workshop we organised for our members in collaboration with Association of Professional Mentors and Coaches.”
Mrs. Adeniyi emphasised the strengthened partnerships between COWA and key stakeholders, citing the success of the recent trade fair, which garnered widespread attention to many professional bodies across the country.
She said, “This event has opened doors for many organisations to express interest in collaborating with COWA, marking a pivotal moment in the association’s mission to foster economic empowerment.”
During the meeting, the President stressed the importance of mutual support, respect, and love among COWA members, encouraging, “to continue striving for excellence in all their endeavours, revealing that this commitment to leadership and personal development was the driving force behind the upcoming leadership training programme for COWA members.”
In addition to discussing future programmes, the association’s leadership also addressed the need to amend its constitution to better reflect the evolving needs of its members and the organisation.
The proposed amendments aim to strengthen COWA’s governance framework, ensuring that its operations remain transparent, inclusive, and responsive to the aspirations of women in the organisation.
Reflecting on COWA’s accomplishments, Mrs. Adeniyi noted that they demonstrate the association’s commitment to laying a solid foundation for future growth, stressing, “We are focused on institutionalising COWA by establishing a strong and sustainable framework that will guide our future actions.”
Looking ahead, Mrs. Adeniyi called for a renewed focus on empowering women through skill development, adding that “the importance of adapting to societal changes and prioritising personal well-being, so that women can continue to serve as the pillars of their families and communities.”
Mrs. Adeniyi, however, expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the chapter leaders for their unwavering dedication to recruiting new members and executing key activities, which have significantly contributed to the growth and vitality of the organisation.