Joyce Mmereole OkoliIn a powerful show of commitment to grassroots education, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, has commissioned the newly renovated Christ Assembly Nursery and Primary School in Olodi-Apapa, Lagos, pledging sustained support under the Service’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda.
Once in a dilapidated state, the school located in the Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area has now been transformed through the intervention of the NCS, breathing new life into the learning environment for pupils and staff.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, CGC Adeniyi charged the students to take their education seriously, drawing parallels to his own humble beginnings.
“Education is power,” he said. “I started just like you, and with God’s help, education charted the course for my rise.”
The Customs boss announced that the Service has officially adopted the school, promising continuous support in education, youth empowerment, and health.
The initiative forms part of a broader NCS plan to reach 50,000 pupils nationwide with educational materials by 2025, 10,000 of whom have already benefited.
The Tin Can Island Command, under the leadership of Comptroller Frank Onyeka, played a key role in executing the project, which included distributing school kits to over 2,000 pupils during the ceremony.
Mrs. Esther Ogunfuyi, Headmistress of the school, expressed deep appreciation:
“This transformation is more than just new walls or paint. It reflects your belief in our pupils’ potential and your commitment to quality education.”
The project also received support from the NCS Headquarters and featured robust community involvement. Comptroller Onyeka lauded the collaboration of stakeholders across the maritime sector and the community, noting that their collective efforts made the initiative a reality.
Notable dignitaries at the event included the Olu Iwa of Apapa Kingdom, HRM Oba Moroof Oyekunle Oluwa, who praised Customs for the gesture and called on other government agencies to emulate their example.
Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Tolani Ali-Balogun, described the renovation as a strategic boost to the state’s education sector, assuring that UBEC would maintain the facility.
Also in attendance were Federal Representative for Ajeromi/Ifelodun Constituency, Hon. Kalejaiye Adeboye Paul; outgoing LGA Chairman, Hon. Fatai Ayoola; and LGA Education Secretary, Barr. Remi-Williams Abiola all of whom commended the NCS for its life changing impact on the community.
In addition to the school renovation, CGC Adeniyi revealed plans to support local sports development, including the upgrade of the Marakana Mini Stadium in Ajegunle, further strengthening the Service’s footprint in youth and community development.