The President of the Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs Mernan Femi Oluyede, paid a courtesy visit to the Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Kaduna, on Tuesday 22 September 2026. The visit was part of the Association’s efforts to deepen its partnership with the Academy.
A statement signed by Major Njoka Irabor Academy Public Relations Officer Nigerian Defence Academy said Mrs Oluyede, led other members of the DEPOWA National Executive Committee on the visit. The engagement provided an opportunity for both establishments to discuss areas of collaboration and initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of military men and their families.
Speaking during the visit, Major General Olatoye commended DEPOWA for its sustained welfare interventions and humanitarian outreach to widows and vulnerable families, noting that such initiatives have contributed significantly to improving their well-being. He particularly lauded the DEPOWA President for her purposeful leadership and impactful programmes, describing her support to military families as immeasurable and unforgettable.
In her remarks, Mrs Oluyede said the visit was aimed at strengthening the existing relationship between DEPOWA and the NDA, particularly in areas of education, welfare, healthcare delivery and strategic partnerships. She disclosed that the Association had newly developed the DEPOWA Families’ Wellness Initiative that will further its activities and greatly enhance the support system to members of the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force and their families. The pilot scheme of the initiative will be launched on 25 September 2026 in Kaduna.
As part of her visit to the Academy, the President DEPOWA, alongside members of her entourage, interfaced with widows of fallen personnel of the NDA at the NDA Drill Shed, Ribadu, where she extended humanitarian support and offered words of encouragement. She also embarked on an outreach to NDA Hospital at Ribadu and Afaka where supports were given to inpatients and nursing mothers.
Addessing the beneficiaries, Mrs Mernan Femi Oluyede said the gesture was an expression of compassion, solidarity and appreciation for the sacrifices of personnel in service to the nation.
Equally, the Coordinator, Nigerian Defence Academy Officers Wives Association, Mrs Oritseseyisan Adeola Olatoye, expressed appreciation for the visit, noting that the outreach programmes are indeed timely and reassuring.
The courtesy visit came to an end with the presentation of souvenirs and group photograph.
