By Martha Agas

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it is partnering with indigenous entrepreneurs focused on recycling used tyres as part of its contribution to promoting environmental sustainability.

The Comptroller-General of NCS, Adewale Adeniyi, stated this at the official inauguration of the NCS’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Unit, Customs Cares, at the Government Secondary School (GSS) Wuse, Zone 3 Abuja, on Thursday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NCS recently established its CSR Unit, Customs Cares, to spearhead programmes aimed at supporting the eight presidential priority areas and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Adeniyi said that environmental sustainability forms the fourth pillar of its CSR initiative and remains a cornerstone of the approach.

“As you might know, used tyres form the majority of our seizures in different areas of operations. Under this initiative, we will transform potentially harmful waste materials into useful items such as sandals, school bags and ties.

“I am happy to announce that some of the products from these disciplined efforts are those we will be presenting to our school children today.

“These recycled products will be strategically redistributed under our educational support programmes.

“It will be utilised in our rehabilitation works, creating a circular economy that addresses environmental challenges while supporting both our educational and infrastructure development goals,” he said.

The initiative, he said, would drive tree-planting activities designed to create a greener and safer environment for the present and future generations.

He explained that the CSR was focusing on six key pillars comprising education, healthcare, social investments, environmental sustainability, food security and the creative economy.

The C-G said that under the healthcare module, the initiative plans to conduct medical outreaches, deploy mobile clinics, and implement anti-malaria campaigns to improve community health standards, particularly in underserved areas of its operations.

Adeniyi said custom social investment would initiate water borehole projects, support electricity infrastructure development, and facilitate skills acquisition programmes to enhance community livelihoods and promote economic self-sufficiency in its areas of operation.

“We will leverage the facility already established by the Customs Officers` Wives Association (COWA).

“This is the skill acquisition centre in Karu, to take care of members of our community in FCT and Nasarawa to come and learn some basic skills to keep them going,” he said.

He said that the initiative in driving food security would support agricultural extension services, coordinate food donations during emergencies, and improve market access for farmers to enhance the agricultural value chain across its operational areas.

According to him, the initiative will invest in the creative economy through targeted capacity building, equipment support, and talent development initiatives aimed at nurturing the vibrant creative sector.

He said the initiative’s first pillar, education, was demonstrated at its official inauguration at GSS Wuse Zone 3, symbolising the NCS’s commitment to investing in the nation’s future through educational support and infrastructure development.

“Our educational support programme includes adopting schools in areas of our operation following thorough selection criteria, conducting comprehensive needs assessments to identify gaps, and jointly prioritising interventions in collaboration with relevant authorities.

“We provide learning materials, rehabilitate critical infrastructure, and offer scholarships to promote academic excellence and ensure no deserving student is left behind due to financial constraints,” he said.

NAN reports that during the inauguration, learning aids, including books, school bags, and writing materials, were distributed to 1,300 students in the school.

NAN also reports that CCTV cameras and solar-powered streetlights were installed to enhance safety on the premises. (NAN)

Edited by Peter Amine