CSR: Ogun I Customs Collaborates with NGOs to Support Pupils, Highlights Fundamental Roles of Teachers
The Nigeria Customs Service Ogun I Area Command, in collaboration with “Teach for Nigeria” – a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), has gifted educational support to about 100 primary school pupils from 5 different schools in the Idiroko axis of Ipokia Local Government Area (ILGA) of Ogun State.
This was made known in a press release signed on 20 March 2024 by Chief Superintendent of Customs Hammed Oloyode, the public relations Public Relations Officer of the Command on behalf of the Customs Area Controller (CAC), Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu.
The NGO, through 3 of its representatives – Akanbi Olutoyosi, Mathew Emmanuel and Mrs Obot Aniebietabasi had approached the Command with “Clothe-a-Child Initiative”, a pet project of the NGO and sought its support.
While explaining the rationale behind the initiative, the delegation stated that they observed during learning processes that some pupils’ school uniforms are tattered, which affects their studies and interaction with their fellow pupils psychologically. They further explained that 20 pupils from 5 schools, having such a challenge, were identified for urgent attention. The selected schools for the programme include Community Primary School Igbo Adiguns, Community Primary School Odan Aje, Ipokia Local Government (IPLG) School 1 & II Idiroko, and Ipokia Local Government School Ikolaje.
During the official gifts presentation ceremony held at IPLG School I & II Idiroko, the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Ahmadu Shuaibu, represented by the Deputy Comptroller Administration, DC Charles Ogunesan, congratulated the beneficiaries of the initiative. He equally urged their parents to reciprocate the gesture by taking their children’s educational progression seriously and looking after their well-being keenly while describing children in general “as great blessings from God Almighty which must not be taken for granted.” He commended the NGO for introducing such a laudable project.
The Command, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), expanded the scope of the initiative by making the proposed pair of uniforms with only socks into a complete set of uniforms and included writing materials such as books and stationery for the pupils. It also added chalk and whiteboard markers for the selected schools to teach the pupils.
The Ipokia Local Government Education Secretary, Oduntan Ireti, during her remarks, highlighted the significant roles teachers play in society by imparting knowledge to learners. She stressed that no one at the helm of affairs or corridors of power who does not (did not) pass through teachers before attaining their positions. Ireti congratulated the pupils who benefited from the educational support and their parents while extolling the collective efforts of the NCS and the NGO in uplifting the learning condition of the pupils.
Similarly, the Education Officer, Mr Bankole Joseph, during his speech, appreciated the kind gesture of Ogun I Customs Area Command and urged it to continue to endure the established synergy with the education board, as he prayed for God’s blessings and protection to abide with the Command and the Nigeria Customs Service at large. Similarly, he extended his appreciation to the NGO for championing such a wonderful initiative in favour of their pupils while urging them to keep up the excellent work.
A primary five pupil of the Community Primary School, Igbo Adiguns, Miss Hunnesi Florence, gave the vote of thanks and appreciated the Command for supporting them with the uniforms and writing materials.
The senior coach of the NGO, Mr Babatunde Atteh, while giving his closing remarks, disclosed that he was extremely overwhelmed with joy seeing the huge success recorded with the propagated initiative. He expressed his deep gratitude to the Command for its magnanimity and support, which made the attained success a reality.
Furthermore, he applauded the beneficiaries of the initiative and thanked everyone in attendance for gracing the auspicious occasion.
The parents of the beneficiaries, at the end of the event, expressed their appreciation to the Nigeria Customs Service and the NGO for providing educational support to their children.
The occasion was well-attended by the management team of Customs Ogun 1 Area Command, representatives of the Department of State Security, members of the education board, head teachers of various schools, parents, Idiroko youths and other significant personalities.
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