Allow schools generate income, customs boss urges FCT administration

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By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief

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Abuja – The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, has urged the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to allow secondary schools in Abuja to use some of their facilities commercially to generate income.

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He made the call at the one-year anniversary of the “Customs Cares” initiative and the inauguration of the upgraded Assembly Hall of Government Secondary School, Wuse, Zone 3, in Abuja.

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The hall’s upgrade is part of several facilities provided by the NCS under “Customs Cares,” including solar streetlights, CCTV systems, sports equipment, and educational materials, following the adoption of the school last year.

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According to Adeniyi, the hall meets all standards to host public events and could be accessed for a fee, enabling the school and others like it to partner with the private sector and generate revenue for facility maintenance.

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At the ceremony, the NCS also donated basketball kits and balls to the school team and planted trees on campus to promote environmental sustainability.

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Adeniyi said the “Customs Cares” initiative supports education, healthcare, food security, environmental sustainability, social investment, and the creative economy, aiming to reach 50,000 pupils nationwide, with 15,000 students already impacted in its first year.

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He urged the school’s principal, staff, and students to maintain the facilities and ensure that the investment positively reflects in academic performance.

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Representing the Minister of FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike, the Secretary for Education, Danlami Hayyo, thanked the NCS for its support and encouraged the school to make the best use of the facilities.

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The school’s principal, Josephine Ugwu, assured both the NCS and FCTA that staff and students would protect and maintain the facilities.

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