The Nigeria Customs Service has commemorated the first anniversary of its “Customs Cares” Corporate Social Responsibility initiative with the commissioning of projects at Government Secondary School, Wuse 3 in Abuja.
At the ceremony held on Tuesday, the Service inaugurated a refurbished assembly hall, donated basketball kits and balls to the school’s team, and planted trees within the school premises to encourage environmental sustainability.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said the “Customs Cares” initiative was established to support education, healthcare, food security, environmental sustainability, social investment and the creative economy.
According to him, the programme demonstrates the Service’s resolve to contribute to national development beyond its core responsibilities.
Adeniyi commended the students for their recent basketball victory over the Customs team and said the upgraded assembly hall would help students develop confidence, creativity and communication skills.
He also urged stronger collaboration between schools, government institutions and private organisations to ensure proper maintenance of public facilities.
The Customs boss disclosed that the Service aims to reach 50,000 pupils across the country through the initiative, noting that about 15,000 students have benefited within the first year.
He added that the intervention has expanded beyond school projects to include the provision of water in underserved communities as part of efforts to advance sustainable development.
The Head of the Customs Cares CSR Unit, Mbwidiffu Ibrahim, described the programme as a strategic intervention aimed at addressing community needs and investing in the future of young Nigerians.
Representing the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, the Secretary for Education, Danlami Hayyo, praised the Customs Service for its support to the education sector and urged the school to make effective use of the new facility.
Also speaking, Fatima Gambo Babba said the project reflects growing collaboration between public institutions and the education sector.
The Principal of the school, Josephine Chizoba Ugwu, expressed appreciation to the Customs Service, saying the intervention, which includes CCTV cameras and solar-powered lighting, would greatly improve teaching and learning.