Association tasks women on green initiative, donates environmental disposable equipments
Lagos, March 25, 2026, The Customs Officers Wives Association (COWA), Port and Cargo Multi-Services Ltd. (PTML) Command, has tasked women to embrace environmental sustainability, saying it aimed to plant 5,000 trees nationwide under its green initiative.
The Chairperson of the COWA PTML Chapter, Mrs Caroline Anani, disclosed this during a sensitisation programme, with the theme: “Green Barracks, Green Borders: Advancing Environmental Stewardship for a Carbon-Responsible Future”, held on Wednesday in Lagos.
The “Green Barracks, Green Borders” campaign was launched in early 2026 to promote environmental sustainability across Nigeria’s border communities.
Anani urged women to support the initiative by reducing plastic use, conserving energy and adopting eco-friendly practices to protect the environment.
“Let us work together to protect our planet for future generations.
“As we have heard, our planet faces significant challenges such as plastic pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss. We are not just spectators of these challenges, but part of the solution.
“I commend the support of the COWA President, Mrs Kimelomo Adeniyi, and the Comptroller of PTML Command for ensuring we achieve our objectives of supporting women,” she said.
She called on members to lead by example and sensitise others on proper waste management to prevent environmental hazards.
The chapter donated three waste bins, two compartmentalised metal waste separators and plastic bottles for recycling after the sensitisation programme.
Speaking earlier, the Customs Area Controller, PTML Command, Comptroller Joe Anani, commended members of the association for turning out in large numbers to promote environmental awareness.
He said environmental sustainability was a collective responsibility, noting that the command had aligned its operations with government policies on eco-friendly practices.
“As a command, we are involved in the processing of Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) cargoes that are environmentally sustainable and compliant with government policies.
“We have also facilitated the clearance of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and electric vehicles in line with government’s push for environmentally friendly transportation,” he said.
He added that the command had intensified tree planting, beautification of workspaces and recycling initiatives to support environmental sustainability.
Anani stressed that a polluted environment poses risks to all and called for immediate action to discourage improper waste disposal.
“Every plastic bottle carelessly discarded and every unit of energy wasted contributes to environmental degradation.
“But every conscious effort to reduce waste, conserve resources and support renewable energy contributes to a sustainable future,” he said.
He directed officers and personnel under the command to adopt improved environmental practices and pledged continued support for COWA’s initiatives.
Also, the Deputy Comptroller in charge of Valuation, Mrs Roseline Owan, urged participants to promote green initiatives to mitigate climate change, poor agricultural yield and health challenges.
Similarly, Deputy Comptroller (Audit), Mrs Ogoru Akpevwe, encouraged Nigerians to plant more trees to provide shade and protect the environment, while also promoting recycling as a means of job creation.
She noted that improving environmental conditions in border communities would enhance trade, public health and overall development.
In a presentation on erosion, a corps member, Mr Ayomide Bamidele, described it as the gradual washing away of topsoil by water, wind and other forces, worsened by human activities such as deforestation and poor waste management.
He advocated tree planting, proper waste disposal and environmental education through eco clubs to address the challenge.