Learning Lightens up in Sagbokoji as Nigeria Customs Impacts with Back-to-School Initiative

.Over 700 Pupils Benefit

ZAINAB JUNAID

The Sagbokoji Community in Apapa, Lagos, on Wednesday thronged in joy and jubilation as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Back-to-School initiative sparked renewed hope.

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, tagged ‘Customs Care’, the Nigeria Customs renovated the Local Authority Nursery and Primary School, upgraded the Community Health Care Center, provided access to water(borehole) and made essential materials available to brighten the mood of the pupils and the community.

Over Seven Hundred Pupils benefited from the initiative, receiving writing materials, textbooks, sandals, bags, mosquito nets, and other vital health resources.

L-R: Yusuf Goodluck and selected Pupils of Local Authority, Nursery and Primary School, Sagbokoji

Yusuf Goodluck, a basic five pupil, expressed his gratitude for being a beneficiary. “I feel happy and proud with this bag given to me, we have just resumed. This materials and new environment of reading will make us read more and I pray God Almighty Bless Nigeria Customs,” he said.

Also, Mrs. Adisa, a Nursery two teacher praised the timely intervention of the Nigeria Customs Service. “The Customs move is right on time. We just resumed new term and the Pupils really need the items. They have renovated the school, upgraded the clinic and provided borehole water. Infact they promised to help us with the toilets too, you can see some toilet seats there. Our pupils are happy with the bags especially, you can see how they are jubilating. Considering the fact that we just resumed, it is right on time. We have over 700 pupils in the school and they all benefitted, you can see their parents happy too. Thanks to Nigeria Customs Service, may God bless them more,” She stated.

Earlier, the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, emphasised that the Customs Cares initiative aims to advance education and infrastructure in Hosts Communities.

Speaking at the inauguration on Wednesday, CGC Adeniyi noted that the Service has renovated the school, improved infrastructure, and provided essential materials.

He also announced plans for a Junior Secondary School and further community development projects.

His words, “The School was established by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, when he was the executive Governor of Lagos State. It is very interesting that an Agency under him has come back over twenty years after the school was established to take a look at the school and upgrade the standard and infrastructure of its facilities. I’m happy to be here this afternoon to identify the major need of the school.

“Before selecting the school, extensive consultation was made and rigorous processes were taken before we carried out the renovation. This is just as the Customs Area Controller of Apapa, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu have said. The project undertaken is driven by CSR exercise and one of it is education and health.

“On education, we are undertaking projects that will have direct impacts on our students. You can see the exercise books, textbooks, sandals and school bags we brought for the students of this school. Apart from those that have direct impacts on students, we have also improved infrastructures where we see deficiency and we have decided to renovate the entire school. I am happy that through our partners and the Stakeholders we have been able to deliver on this project”.

Speaking further, “Of course, another critical pillar of what we are doing is the health care delivery. You are going to see what we have done to the health centre of this community. What we are doing in the school today is just the beginning.

“I have also being told that we are going to make intervention with the distribution of mosquito nets, other malaria treatment medication and a full pledge medical outreach to members of the Community.

“The biggest of this, is that we are going to stand on the pillars of education and I have seen the need for a higher school in this community. If this school was established over twenty years ago and there is no Junior Secondary School that will serve the community, it means there exists a need for the school and we are going to key into this major need of this community.

“In the next phase of our intervention, we will be working with the Lagos State Government and the Community to prepare for the establishment of a Junior Secondary School in this Community.

“Beyond that, we know there are other the infrastructural deficit, while we might not be able to do virtually everything, I can assure you that Federal Government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Lagos State government have listening ears and we will join in your advocacy to make a strong case for some other remaining infrastructure that are needed in this community. I have seen the need for a connecting bridge for some of these Communities that have Secondary Schools so that your kids can benefit from what is happening in those places,” he added.

The CGC further pleaded with the Children and management of the school to make the best use of all facilities made available and also expressed gratitude to all Stakeholders that have collaborated with the Agency to ensure prompt delivery of the project.

He also commended CAC Olomu for his resilience and determination in bringing the project to fruition.

The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Apapa Area Command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu

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.

As the Nigeria Customs Service continues to trailblaze with its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, the future looks brighter for communities like Sagbokoji, marking just the beginning of a transformative journey.