The National President, Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA) and wife of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Kikelomo Adeniyi, has distributed over 200 upper arm blood pressure monitors to officers of the Nigeria Customs Service and to members of the association.
Speaking at the Nigeria Customs Service headquarters in Abuja on Friday during the commemoration of World Hypertension Day 2024, Adeniyi said the initiative was part of COWA’s effort to encourage the wives of Customs officers to keep their families healthy.
“Today, as we observe World Hypertension Day with the theme ‘Measure Your Blood Pressure Accurately, Control It & Live Longer’, it is crucial that we recognise the importance of understanding this condition, empowering ourselves with knowledge, and taking proactive steps to prevent it,” she said.
The COWA President, who described hypertension as a chronic medical condition that contributes to the development of numerous diseases and silently kills people, said hypertension is preventable and manageable with early detection and proper care.
She enjoined wives of Customs officers to encourage their husbands to embrace the culture of monitoring their health status, whether at home or in the field.
“Through simple and accessible methods such as manual or digital blood pressure monitors, individuals can empower themselves to stay informed about their health,” she said.
The Comptroller General of Customs, represented by the Deputy Comptroller General in charge of Finance and Administration, Festus Okun, applauded the COWA President for ensuring officers’ wives stay informed about their health.
He acknowledged the crucial role played by COWA in promoting the welfare of customs officers’ families and urged officers and their families to heed the precautionary measures against hypertension advised by health experts.