By Nkechi Eze
The Nigeria Customs Service has been actively engaged in various community development initiatives under the “Customs Cares” programme, aimed at giving back to society and improving the lives of Nigerians. As part of these efforts, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, on Wednesday, 30 April 2025, commissioned a newly renovated Local Authority Primary School and a Primary Healthcare Centre in the Sagbokoji community, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
The CGC while speaking during the launch, reiterated that the Service remains committed to supporting host communities, noting that the initiative addresses both educational and infrastructural needs.
“We are undertaking projects that will have direct impact on our schools and our students. We have brought school bags, exercise books, textbooks, and sandals for all the pupils of this school. We are also improving Infrastructure, where we see the deficit, and what we have chosen to do is to renovate the entire school. And I’m happy that through Apapa and the Stakeholders, we have been able to deliver on this project.” He said.
He also emphasised the importance of healthcare to community development, which is a critical pillar of what the service is doing. “We know that the needs of this community is more than what we have done, but we have taken the first step towards entering into an enduring partnership with this community.”
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, noted that the project exemplifies the Service’s commitment to community well-being, beyond its core mandates of trade facilitation, revenue generation, and anti-smuggling.
“The benevolence from Customs shows that we have compassion for the communities where we cohabit, and this was what informed this very project. In the last four weeks, it’s been both day and night, workers have been here, with the active support of our distinguished stakeholders, to ensure that this project actually see the light of day”, Olomu stated.
In his goodwill message, Chairman of Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area, Engr. Valentine Buraimoh, expressed appreciation to the NCS, describing the gesture as unprecedented. “This is the first time we are witnessing uniform men in the helm of affairs doing this project. And today, I’m highly elated for this gesture. I want to appreciate the NCS for renovating our school and the Primary Healthcare centre.”
The headmaster of LA Primary School, Oladeyo Emmanuel, also lauded the Service for its intervention, noting that the facelift would boost the morale of teachers and students alike.
The event featured the distribution of educational materials to pupils, and culminated in the official commissioning of both the school and the healthcare facility.
The handover ceremony marked a significant milestone in the community’s development, as the renovated school and health centre are expected to greatly benefit the residents, particularly children and expectant mothers. This gesture underscores the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to contributing to the nation’s social and economic growth through strategic community investments.
