The President of the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), Mrs. Adenike Adeniyi, has called on women in the association to prioritise their health, describing it as the foundation for stronger families and prosperous communities. She made this appeal at a sensitization workshop themed “Healthy Wife, Wealthy Wife.” held at Apapa Command on 29th September, 2025.
Mrs. Adeniyi noted that many women often neglect their own well-being while caring for their families, warning that such neglect can have long-term consequences for both mothers and their households.
She explained that the workshop was designed to encourage women, particularly wives and mothers, to take better care of their physical and mental wellbeing. She noted that health is wealth, adding that neglecting personal wellbeing diminishes the ability of women to build stable homes.
The COWA president also used the opportunity to highlight the plight of children living with disabilities, calling for inclusion, love, and care to replace stigma and discrimination.she reiterated COWA’s commitment to changing negative perceptions around disability and promoting a culture of acceptance.
On maternal health,she described maternal deaths as a preventable tragedy that continues to destabilise families and weaken communities. She encouraged women to take advantage of medical facilities, embrace regular health checks, and seek timely care, while also supporting one another to make health a priority.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Apapa Command, Comptroller Emmanuel Oshoba, lauded the COWA for turning its advocacy on diversity, inclusion, and women’s emancipation into practical actions.He said the association’s initiatives in skills acquisition, support for children with special needs, and the provision of grants, are commendable efforts driven with impressive passion and commitment.
Oshoba assured that officers and men of the Apapa Command would continue to stand behind COWA in its activities, stressing that the command recognizes the association’s role in advancing women’s empowerment, child development, and social welfare. He pledged sustained collaboration to help COWA expand the reach and impact of its programs.
The Zonal Nursing Officer, Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Victoria Bishen, in her presentation stressed the need for greater awareness on maternal health, describing it as an issue that affects not just women but families and communities at large.
The medical expert noted that maternal birth is a family and societal concern, as the loss or suffering of a mother during childbirth destabilises homes .She also emphasised that with proper care, timely medical support, and regular health checks, many challenges associated with childbirth can be prevented.
Comptroller Bishen pointed out that maternal health extends beyond the physical to emotional and psychological wellbeing. She explained that women often shoulder multiple responsibilities that can weigh heavily on them, making it vital to maintain mental and emotional balance. According to her, women who are emotionally sound are better able to nurture their families and contribute to building stronger communities. She encouraged women to embrace self-care, seek medical help when needed, and support each other in coping with maternal challenges.
She further highlighted the importance of solidarity among women, stressing that no mother should face maternal health challenges alone. Bishen urged women to share knowledge, create safe spaces for open dialogue, and support one another, noting that when women stand together, lives are saved and families are strengthened.
COWA Apapa command members were also empowered with various skills acquisition equipment items which included sewing machines, industrial ovens, and other tools to support small-scale enterprises.
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