…targets 50,000 trees under the green borders programme
The Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA) has launched a coordinated nationwide climate action initiative aimed at planting 50,000 trees and institutionalising environmental sustainability practices across State Commands under its flagship Green Borders Programme.
The green action was unveiled during an Environmental Education Workshop held in Abuja, marking the formal rollout of a national climate framework aligned with priorities set by the Federal Ministry of Environment and the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC).
Speaking at the event, Kikelomo Adeniyi, COWA President, in a statement, described environmental stewardship as an extension of national service. She stressed that sustainable communities are fundamental to national prosperity and institutional strength.
According to her, the Green Borders Programme is designed to institutionalise structured environmental action within Customs communities nationwide. She added that the initiative remains open to strategic partnerships that can help scale its impact and deepen community engagement.
Reaffirming its commitment, the association emphasised that women-led environmental action can deliver measurable results, noting that clean and green communities strengthen institutions, improve public health, and accelerate national development.
Delivering the keynote address, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, Minister of Environment, commended COWA for aligning its theme, “Green Barracks, Green Borders: Advancing Environmental Stewardship for a Sustainable Future,” with the Federal Government’s environmental restoration agenda.
The Minister highlighted ongoing nationwide sensitisation campaigns, land restoration efforts under the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project, investments in recycling infrastructure, and the issuance of a Sovereign Green Bond as indicators of structured environmental financing and growing public trust in sustainable initiatives.
In a goodwill message delivered on behalf of the Director-General of the NCCC, the Council reaffirmed Nigeria’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement, particularly the implementation of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0), which target net-zero emissions by 2060.
The Council described the Green Borders Programme as a practical, citizen-led model capable of advancing sustainability, promoting green economy principles, and strengthening resilience in border communities.
The workshop focused on three core thematic areas: understanding climate change and its local impacts; the critical role of trees in carbon absorption, flood prevention, and air purification; and the 3Rs of waste management, Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
Participants also engaged in practical demonstrations on waste separation and responsible consumption.
