Bethel Ogownma named Nigeria Customs Volleyball Club captain
National senior women's volleyball team player Bethel Ogownma has been appointed the new captain of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Volleyball Club ahead of the second phase of the 2026 Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC) Volleyball Premier League.
The announcement was made in a statement signed by the Head of Sports, Nigeria Customs Service, Samuel Onikeku, who also confirmed the club's new leadership structure.
Ogownma will captain the reigning champions with Maryam Ibrahim serving as first assistant captain, while Toyosi Abdulraheem and Verity Onyegwu have been named second assistant captains.
According to Onikeku, the appointments followed the arrival of new players and the team's successful title-winning campaign last season.
"Bethel Ogownma is the new captain and will be assisted by Maryam Ibrahim as first assistant captain, while Toyosi Abdulraheem and Verity Onyegwu will serve as second assistant captains," Onikeku stated.
He also expressed appreciation to the club's former captains for guiding the team to an unbeaten triumph in the 2025 CGC Volleyball Premier League.
"I want to thank the previous captains for their efforts last season and for leading the team to win the 2025 CGC Volleyball Premier League unbeaten. Rafiat Mustapha will now join the female coordinators appointed last season," he added.
The Customs team currently tops the women's standings after the first phase of the 2026 league, and Onikeku believes the squad is well-positioned to retain its title.
"The Nigeria Customs Service is currently leading the women's category after the first phase. We strengthened the squad before the start of the league, while some players also moved to other teams.
"The team is ready to defend its title and perform even better in the second phase," he said.
Onikeku also applauded Nigeria Volleyball Federation (NVBF) board members Chinedu Onikeku (OLY) and James Datuhun for their continued commitment to the development of volleyball in the country.
"I want to commend the continuous efforts of NVBF board members Chinedu Onikeku and James Datuhun for their invaluable contributions to the growth and development of volleyball in Nigeria. Their efforts have not gone unnoticed by athletes and coaches across the country," he said.
Ogownma has enjoyed an impressive career, winning the Best Women's Libero award at the 2024 CGC Volleyball Premier League before emerging Best Libero at the 2026 CAVB Zone 3 Volleyball Championship in Accra, Ghana.
Her deputy, Maryam Ibrahim, also boasts an outstanding résumé, having won the 2024 CGC Volleyball Premier League, where she was named Best Outside Hitter, before helping her side to victory at the 2025 SVC Championship in Ghana. She later claimed the Best Receiver award at the 2025 CGC Volleyball Premier League and finished third with her team at the 2026 CAVB Zone 3 Championship in Ghana.
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