First Lady inaugurates COWA skills acquisition center in Karu — News — The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News

First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Saturday inaugurated a skill acquisition center in Karu community of the Federal Capital Territory.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the center was established by the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA).

According to the President of COWA, Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi, the initiative aims to empower wives, families and members of the host community of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) officers to enhance economic prosperity.

In her speech, the First Lady praised COWA for the initiative and emphasized its critical role in contributing to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

Represented by the Vice President’s Wife, Mrs. Nana Shettima, he said the establishment of the center was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s vision to lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty.

Ms. Tinubu expressed confidence that the center would equip COWA members, their families and host community members with the basic skills needed to thrive in the evolving economic environment.

Speaking at the event, the Controller General (CG) of NCS, Adewale Adeniyi, commended the association for setting up the centre, especially in the Karu community.

Describing this location as strategic, Adeniyi stated that it houses 80 percent of the non-commissioned officers.

He added that Karu hosts the flagship corporate social responsibility project of NCS, which provides medical facilities to members of host communities.

Describing COWA as agents of progress, he stated that the center is crucial to rewriting the history of women, children and social development in Nigeria.

“We think that those who will benefit from this center will contribute to the development of our economy,” he said.

According to CG, COWA’s efforts inspired him to prioritize the skill acquisition projects that NCS would launch in Seme Border.

The CG said the initiative aims to empower families of officers working at the border and members of surrounding communities.

He thanked the First Lady for her vision for women empowerment through the Renewed Hope initiative, which inspires women to take a cue and devise various empowerment projects.

He urged officers in the community and surrounding areas to take advantage of the center to gain essential life skills to become empowered.

The COWA chairman, however, said the center was established in line with Ms. Tinubu’s renewed hope initiative aimed at empowering women in Nigeria.

“When women are empowered, they become catalysts for positive change, driving economic growth and promoting a more equitable and just society,” she said.

He said the center will serve as an innovation hub to equip women with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the economy.

He added that interns will discover their potential, which can be nurtured to serve as a launching pad for personal and professional development.

According to Ms. Adeniyi, the ultra-modern facility will offer training in areas such as information and communication technology, tailoring and fashion design, shoe and bag making, food and beverage, spice production, salon services, among others.

He urged COWA members to take advantage of the opportunity to develop themselves, their children and their wards with the vital skills required to succeed in today’s highly competitive society.