By Goodluck Ikiebe.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, has assured the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) of Nigerian Army’s (NA) continuous support in the execution of its humanitarian projects and programmes.
The COAS gave the assurance when the President of DEPOWA, Barrister Mrs Vicky Irabor led other members of the Association on a courtesy visit to the COAS, at the Army Headquarters, Abuja.
Lt Gen Yahaya commended the efforts of DEPOWA in keying into areas of concern of the NA, with emphasis on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD), supporting widows of fallen heroes, the less privileged and other vulnerable members of the Barracks community.
He noted that these efforts are all geared towards ameliorating the challenges of healthy living and living standards of the less privileged and military personnel.
General Yahaya added that these humanitarian projects will directly benefit military families and the general public.
The COAS used the medium to appreciate members of affiliate associations under the auspices of DEPOWA for their humanitarian efforts in bringing succour to the needy.
Speaking during the visit, the DEPOWA President, Mrs Vicky Irabor stated that DEPOWA had evolved to become an organization focused on providing support to personnel’s wives and their families towards achieving a healthy military community.
She noted that DEPOWA was established as an umbrella body to unify wives of serving officers of the Armed Forces and the Police, with the mandate to ensure wives are equiped to effectively manage the home front, amidst professional hazards and challenges faced by their spouses in the cause of duty.
She intimated the COAS of some laudable achievements of the association, including entrepreneurship training for widows of fallen heroes, empowerment of orphanages, vocational training of barracks youths, financial assistance for the youth to set up enterprises, motivational visits to troops in the Theatres of operations, visits to Wounded-in-Action at military hospitals around the country, donation of 30 motorized wheel chairs and other hospital equipment to wounded soldiers, amongst others.
Mrs Irabor commended the COAS for the PTSD sensitisation workshop organised by the NA and advocated for a re-integration structure for personnel in order to ensure they have sound health and emotional wellness.
The DEPOWA President was accompanied on the visit by the President, NAOWA, Mrs Salamatu Yahaya, President NOWA, represented by Mrs Garba, President, NAFOWA, Mrs Olubunmi Amao and President POWA, Hajia Hajara Baba among others.
Present at the event were Principal Staff Officers and Directors from Army Headquarters.
