Wives of Nigerian Army under NAOWA sets-up skill acquisition, empowers widows in Onitsha

The in-coming Commander of 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha, Col. Abubakar Bello, has called on officers and soldiers wives to complement their husbands by acquiring skills and higher education.

Bello said this during his inauguration of Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA) Skill Acquisition and Adult Education Centre at the Onitsha Military Cantonment in Anambra on Monday.

The inauguration followed the presentation of edible gift items to widows of soldiers living within the cantonment.

The commander noted that roles wives of officers and soldiers play to keep the home stable could not be over-emphasized; adding that it was imperative that they have something doing to support their families especially when their husband report to duty in distant locations.

``I would urge every woman especially wives of officers and soldiers to make judicious use of this centre to advance their earns and welfare of their families.

``As well as complement the take home pay of their husband in order to give our children the best in terms of education and training,’’ he said.

Earlier, the Out-going Chairperson of NAOWA, Mrs Mariam Fagge, implored women to be up and doing at home and in their chosen endeavours of life.

``I want our women not only to complement their husbands but to have a career and chosen profession that they would be known for.

``The whole idea of the centre is to better equip every single woman in the cantonment to get busy with something.

``Most times a non functional mind lead to all sorts of negativity and shame,’’ Fagge said.

She, however, urged philanthropists to support the centre with more equipment as well as stipend for the trainers, who had volunteers to train the women.

The Wife of the Commanding Officer of 14 Field Engineer Regiment, Onitsha, Mrs Hashiya Aremu, noted that the centre would be turning out graduates every six months.

``I believe it would up-lift the lives of our women since we would also support the graduates with tools and financial aid to start-up whatsoever they have leant from the centre,’’ Aremu said.

The Co-ordinator of Nigerian Soldiers Wives Association (NASWA), Mrs Esther Ndasule, thanked Fagge and other officers’ wives, who have thought-out and financed the project.

``We are proud of our out-going chairperson of NAOWA and her team for this project and we would sensitize more women in the cantonment to take advantage of the centre.

``It is first of its kind since the inception of the cantonment for someone to think of the wellbeing and welfare of others especially soldiers wives,’’ Ndasule said.

Highlights of the occasion were the cutting of the NAOWA cake and presentation of a gift to appreciate the efforts of the out-going Chairperson of NAOWA, Mrs Mariam Fagge.

Photo

 Goc 4: Maj.–Gen. Shehu Yusuf, GOC 82 Division (middle) familiarizing with lieut. Abdul Abdul (left); while by Col. Jubrin Fegge, Commander 302 Artillery Regiment, Onitsha (right) looks on.