NCS Unveils Plan to Rehabilitate Ife Girls High School Under ‘Customs Cares’ Initiative

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has unveiled plans to rehabilitate the infrastructure of Ife Girls High School, Modakeke, in Ife Local Government Area of Osun State, under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme ‘Customs Cares’.

This development was disclosed recently by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, during an assessment visit to the school to evaluate the scope of intervention required ahead of the commencement of the rehabilitation project.

The visit formed part of the Service’s ongoing commitment to identifying and addressing critical infrastructure needs in public institutions through its ‘Customs Cares’ Initiative, with education ranking top among the programme’s key priority areas.

Speaking during the inspection, CGC Adeniyi noted that the intervention became necessary following reports on the dilapidating condition of the school and a firsthand assessment of its facilities.

“There is so much to be done here, and what I have come to do is a preliminary assessment of the scope of work required,” he said.

According to him, the school, established over six decades ago, was once renowned for academic excellence and a disciplined learning culture but has suffered years of neglect that have adversely affected its facilities and learning environment.

He expressed concern over the state of classrooms, laboratories, sanitary facilities, and the library, noting that parts of the school had become overgrown and unsafe for students.

The CGC assured that the proposed intervention would be carefully executed to avoid disrupting academic activities, adding that necessary approvals had been secured while consultations with relevant stakeholders were ongoing to ensure smooth implementation.

Adeniyi also called on school authorities, parents, and members of the community to support efforts aimed at maintaining the facilities after rehabilitation, stressing that sustainable development requires collective responsibility.

“We are determined to contribute towards creating a conducive learning environment that will inspire students and support educational development,” he stated.

Similarly, Principal of the school, Mrs. Akinremi Martina, described the planned intervention as timely and impactful, expressing confidence that it would significantly improve learning conditions and reposition the school for greater academic achievements.

Providing a technical assessment of the facility, the Managing Director of Oak Builders Company, Engr. Kehinde Adegboyega Adeyemo, identified major structural concerns, including damaged perimeter fencing and encroached portions of the premises, which he said would require attention during the rehabilitation process.

Adeyemo noted that the planned intervention is aimed at improving the learning environment, enhancing security within the school, and supporting the overall development of education in the community under the Customs Cares Initiative.