ZAINAB JUNAID
The National President of the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA) and wife of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi, has distributed over 200 upper arm blood pressure monitors to officers of the Nigeria Customs Service and COWA members.
In a press statement signed by Abdullahi Maiwada, the Service’s Spokesman, Mrs Adeniyi explained that the initiative is part of COWA’s effort to encourage the wives of Customs officers to keep their families healthy.
According to the statement, Mrs Kikelomo gave the explanation while speaking at the Nigeria Customs Service Headquarters, Abuja on Friday, during the commemoration of World Hypertension Day 2024.
“Today, as we observe World Hypertension Day with the theme: ‘Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It & Live Longer,’ it is crucial that we recognise the importance of understanding this condition, empowering ourselves with knowledge, and taking proactive steps to prevent it.
“The COWA national president described hypertension as a chronic medical condition that contributes to the development of numerous diseases and silently kills people, adding, “The good news is that hypertension is preventable and manageable with early detection and proper care.”
“The CGC’s wife enjoined all Customs officers’ wives to encourage their husbands to embrace the culture of monitoring their health status, whether at home or in the field. “Through simple and accessible methods such as manual or digital blood pressure monitors, individuals can empower themselves to stay informed about their health,” the statement partly read.
Represented by the Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Finance and Administration, Festus Okun, the Comptroller-General of Customs applauded the COWA president for ensuring officers’ wives stay informed about their health.
Appreciating COWA for celebrating International Hypertension Day with the distribution of BP monitors, DCG Okun described the gesture as humanitarian while affirming the CGC’s determination to support COWA fully.
DCG Okun acknowledged the crucial role played by COWA in promoting the welfare of customs officers’ families and urged officers and their families to heed the precautionary measures against hypertension advised by health experts.
The event, attended by Deputy Comptroller-Generals of Customs, Assistant Comptroller-Generals of Customs, other officers, their families, and COWA National Executives, aimed to reinforce the collective effort to combat hypertension and promote a healthy society.
The theme of this year’s World Hypertension Day was: “Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It and Live Longer.”
