CG Adeniyi commissions Lagos primary school renovated by Tin Can Customs

Christ Assembly Nursery and Primary School, Araromi, Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area,  Lagos State, has received a facelift from the Customs Care, a corporate social responsibility initiative of the Nigeria Customs Service.

The school, founded in 1960, is refurbished and adequately equipped with a state-of-the-art facilities to enhance teaching by the teachers and learning by the pupils.

The Tin Can Island Port Command adopted the school and funded the project. It also gave the pupils educational materials and provided a free medical checkup for everyone at the event.

Commissioning the refurbished school on Thursday, July 17, 2025, the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, said the intervention done by the Tin Can Island Port Command has provided a better learning environment for students and has ignited the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

Adeniyi stated that the target of the Service in 2025 is to directly reach out to 50,000 students by supporting them with educational items. He highlighted that the NCS had achieved part of this goal rendering help to 12,000 students; with 5,000 of them in Lagos, including 2,000 being given items today.

He added that the Service is also targeting to impact the lives of 10 million Nigerians through various intervention programmes.

“Customs will continue to touch lives in other areas such as healthcare, sports, Information Communication Technology (ICT), the creative industry, as well as support for the less privileged in the society.

“Our next intervention will be to support sports development in the community. We will team up with you to see how we can develop the facilities in Maracana as the Chairman has mentioned.

“The Customs is not in competition with any government agency, but recognises that the communities Customs Commands are located has been a strong pillar of support and we deem it fit to pay back to the society. Will will make sure to collaborate with other sister agencies to do more for our communities,” said Adeniyi.

CGC Adeniyi advised the pupils to take their studies seriously, adding that they can aspire to be the very best in their careers. He charged them to make judicious use of the facilities to excel in their academics, promising to do more for the school in the future.

Adeniyi also commended the officers and men of the Tin Can Customs Port Command, as well as the input of other stakeholders in the realisation of the project.

While speaking, the Customs Area Controller of Tin Can Island Port Command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka, thanked the CGC for the opportunity to serve and be a part of the laudable initiative. He also appreciated stakeholders of the Command, for their support and partnership on the project.

Onyeka commended the headmistress of the school, teachers and students for their determination and role in making the project a success.

Speaking earlier, the Olu Iwa of Apapa Kingdom, HRM, Oba Moroof Oyekunle Oluwa, commended Customs for the initiative and called on other government agencies operating in the area, particularly the Nigerian Port’s Authority (NPA) to also contribute to the growth of the community.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Education, Tolani Ali-Balogun, appreciated the Customs for the project, adding that it is a leverage to what the state government is doing in the educational sector.

He promisee that the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) in the state will ensure proper maintenance of the project and charged parents and community leaders to contribute their quota to its sustainability.

The outgoing Chairman, Ajeromi-Ifelodun LGA, Fatai Ayoola thanked the Customs for brining succour to the community and ameliorating the sufferings of the people. The Educational Secretary, Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area, Barrister Remi-Williams Abiola described the project as unique.

The school Headmistress, Mrs Esther Ogunfuyi, appreciated the Customs’ generosity and concern for education, saying the agency’s support and partnership has made a meaningful impact in the school.

“We are here to acknowledge and celebrate something truly special, the renovation and adoption of our school by the Nigeria Customs Service, Tin Can Island Port Command, Apapa, Lagos.

“This transformation we see around us is more than just new walls, fresh paint or improved facilities. It is a reflection of your belief in the potentials of our pupil, your commitment to quality education and your desire to make a lasting difference.

“By renovating our school, you have given us a renewed sense of pride and hope, and by adopting us, you have gone even further, you are committed to walking this journey with us offering continued support and partnership that will shape the future of our learners.

“We do not take this for granted, your generosity has created a safer more inspiring and more dignified environment for teaching and learning”.