As NAOWA President Commissions Projects in Enugu State.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Nigerian Army, and Commander, Joint Task Force South-East Operation UDO KA, Major General Oluremi Ayobami Fadairo, has commended the President Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) for her sustained efforts in improving the welfare of military families and supporting vulnerable members of the barracks community and society at large.
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A statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Olabisi Olalekan Ayeni ,Acting Deputy Director Army Public Relations 82 Division Nigerian Army said the commendation was given when the National President of NAOWA, Dr Safiyyah Hassan Shaibu, and her entourage paid a courtesy visit to Headquarters 82 Division, Enugu, during her maiden visit to the NAOWA 82 Division Chapter.
Major General Fadairo expressed appreciation to the Association for its humanitarian initiatives and commitment to enhancing the well-being of military families and the wider society. He noted that 82 Division and Operation UDO KA have continued to record significant progress in building peace and security in the South-East. According to him, the improved security situation has enabled residents to conduct their lawful businesses without fear or intimidation.
The GOC encouraged NAOWA to sustain its welfare initiatives and explore further opportunities to improve the living conditions of personnel and their families. He reaffirmed the Division’s commitment to maintaining a cordial relationship with the Association, emphasizing that their partnership remains vital to promoting family welfare, boosting morale, and supporting operational effectiveness.
Earlier, the NAOWA National President, Dr Safiyyah Hassan Shaibu, stated that the visit was aimed at expressing the Association’s appreciation to the GOC for his continued support to NAOWA 82 Division Chapter, as well as strengthening the existing cordial relationship between the Association and the Division.
Dr Shaibu described NAOWA as a foremost humanitarian and welfare organization dedicated to improving the well-being of military families and supporting vulnerable members of the barracks community. She explained that, as the 25th National President of the Association, her vision is to build a united and innovative NAOWA that empowers military families.
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Highlighting some of the Association’s achievements, she disclosed that NAOWA had upgraded and furnished the Accident and Emergency Ward at the Military Hospital, Ikoyi, Lagos, alongside donating medical equipment to strengthen healthcare delivery. She also noted that the Association had sponsored members to participate in leadership and development programmes, seminars, and professional courses within and outside the country to strengthen leadership capacity and promote healthy living.
NAOWA had distributed over 16,000 palliatives to NAOWA and NASWA members, widows of fallen heroes and religious institutions, while empowering 394 youths through information and communication technology and fashion design training.
She further revealed that over 800 widows across NAOWA chapters had benefited from free grants of at least 10 Dangote Initial Public Offering shares each through the Aliko Dangote Foundation, amongst other achievements she highlighted.
Dr Shaibu expressed appreciation to the GOC for his continued support to NAOWA 82 Division Chapter, noting that such support had contributed significantly to the Association’s welfare interventions in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s vision.
As part of activities marking her maiden visit to 82 Division, the NAOWA President conducted Widows’ Humanitarian Outreach, during which food items and cash were donated to the widows. She also commissioned several projects at NAOWA Group of Schools, Enugu, executed by the Chairperson NAOWA 82 Division Chapter, Mrs Hilda Ijeoma Fadairo. The projects include science laboratories and a five-a-side football pitch. A 14-classroom block constructed by the immediate past Chairperson NAOWA 82 Division, Mrs Oritseseyisan Adeola Olatoye was also commissioned.
Speaking during the commissioning, the Chairperson, 82 Division NAOWA, Mrs Hilda Ijeoma Fadairo stated that the projects would improve the learning environment and support the education and development of students. She appreciated Dr Shaibu for personally commissioning the projects and for her leadership and support for Nigerian Army families. She also acknowledged her predecessor, Mrs Oritseseyisan Olatoye, for facilitating the construction of the 14-classroom block.
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Mrs Fadairo further expressed gratitude to the Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, and his wife for their support. She also thanked the GOC, commanders, staff officers, and NAOWA members for their contributions to the success of the projects. She urged the school management to maintain the facilities and encouraged students to remain disciplined and focused on their studies.
This visit underscores the enduring partnership between the Nigerian Army and NAOWA in advancing the welfare of military families, strengthening the barracks community, and supporting the Nigerian Army’s commitment to personnel welfare and operational effectiveness.
