The Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA), has gifted food items, medicine, detergents and cash to widows of fallen officers and soldiers as well as some wives of serving members in Imo.
The food items include rice, noodles and vegetable oil among others.
Mrs Salamatu Yahaya, National President of the Association and wife of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Farouk Yahaya, presented the gifts to the widows at the NAOWA Nursery and Primary School premises, 34 Artillery Brigade Barracks, Obinze in Owerri, on Tuesday.
Mrs Yahaya was represented by Mrs Appolonia Ezugwu, wife of the Corps Commander, Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Victor Ezugwu.
She said that the gifts were presented to the widows as part of activities marking the year 2022 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL).
The year’s theme is: ” Repositioning the Nigerian Army in the Joint Operations Environment: A Panacea for Success in Addressing Contemporary Security Challenges”.
Speaking on the theme, Yahaya reminded the women of their special place in the Force and the need to continue complementing the efforts of the Army.
She emphasized the need for the women to re-dedicate themselves to supporting their families, youths, women, children and especially the vulnerable people within and outside the barracks.
“As women, mothers and care givers, we have the responsibility of keeping the sanctity of the women, children, the barracks, and the nation at large,” she said.
The NAOWA President also gifted the school’s teachers in like manner and donated a computer set, photocopying machine, laser jet printer, scanner, generator and an office cabinet to the school.
She further presented the medical unit of the barrack with medical equipment including automated external defibrillator; Ambu bags; a stretcher; laboratory microscopes; an oxygen cylinder with guage; weighing scales; suction machines, and digital Sphygmomanometer.
These, she said, were aimed at complementing the efforts of the Nigerian Army as it marked 2022 NADCEL and putting smiles on the faces of the widows.
”To enhance learning and growth of our children, we also presented some of these much needed office equipments to the NAOWA School.
“Furthermore, as part of our humanitarian activities, we have donated some medical equipment to the 34 Artillery Brigade Medical center
”NAOWA decided to present this token to widows of our fallen heroes as well as to the staff of NAOWA Nursery and Primary School, to complement the efforts of our husbands as we commemorate the NADCEL,” she said.
She however, thanked her husband and all officers of the Nigerian Army for providing a backbone to the NAOWA and the entire Military Widows Association.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to NAN expressed gratitude to Yahaya and NAOWA for the gifts.