In a bid to support widows and the less privileged during the holy month of Ramadan, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has donated 30 bags of 50kg rice to the Oko Opo Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to assisting widows, children, and vulnerable individuals in society.
The donation was presented on Wednesday at the foundation’s corporate office in Laderin, Abeokuta, Ogun State, which aligns with Oko Opo Foundation’s ongoing mission to uplift widows and the less privileged, particularly during significant festive seasons.
Notably, on December 26, 2024, the foundation had assisted over 150 widows from various Ogun communities by providing them with cash, food supplies, and medical aid to make the Yuletide season memorable.
The gesture by the Nigeria Customs Service was a fulfillment of a pledge made during a peace meeting between senior Customs officials and the founder of Oko Opo Foundation, Ambassador (Dr.) Babatunde Adeyemo.
The meeting followed an incident where an NCS officer allegedly fired at Adeyemo’s vehicle. Despite the event, Adeyemo, a UN-POLAC Ambassador, real estate entrepreneur, and CEO of Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited, chose to forgive the erring officer, declining legal compensation and instead advocating for leniency.
He was quoted as saying, “Let him go and sin no more.” He further appealed to the NCS leadership, urging them to “give the officer a second chance and not relieve him of his job over the incident.”
While delivering the rice donation on Wednesday, representatives of the NCS—including Assistant Customs Comptroller Mr. Olabode Akinola, Superintendent Officer Mr. Ismaheel Alarape, and Deputy Superintendent Customs (Lagos) Mr. Kaffu Samuel—stressed the agency’s commitment to supporting credible humanitarian organizations.
“This donation is part of the Nigeria Customs Service’s continuous effort to support reputable non-profit organizations in alleviating the suffering of the less privileged. It is in line with the renewed hope agenda of the present administration,” they stated.
The Customs leadership further assured its unwavering support for the Oko Opo Foundation and other well-meaning humanitarian initiatives that demonstrate a clear vision and impact.
In his response, Dr. Babatunde Adeyemo described the donation as a victory for widows across Nigeria.
“This generous contribution from the Nigeria Customs Service is another win for widows in our country. Every bag of rice will be distributed to the last grain, alongside an additional token, to help them celebrate the conclusion of Ramadan,” he affirmed.
