DEPOWA President Visits NAFRC, Advocates for Women and Youth Empowerment
Wednesday, December 11, 2024.
The President of the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs. Oghogho Musa, has reaffirmed the importance of empowering women and youths through skill acquisition and community development. She made this statement during a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) in Oshodi, Lagos, on Wednesday, 11 December 2024.
Accompanied by the President of the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre Officers’ Wives Association (NAFCOWA) and selected members, Mrs. Musa expressed gratitude to the NAFRC Commandant, Air Vice Marshal Rimi Mamman, for his unwavering support of DEPOWA’s initiatives.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Musa recalled a DEPOWA-organised workshop held eight months ago, focusing on personal visioning and planning, which trained women to balance work, family, and personal interests effectively. She commended the recently concluded training session at the DEPOWA Skills Acquisition Centre, where over 111 students graduated in various disciplines, including culinary arts, tailoring, bag making, hairdressing, and household product manufacturing.
“Despite limited resources, DEPOWA provided stipends, transportation support, and free meals to participants. We also supplied starter packs to graduates, enabling them to become self-reliant and support their families,” Mrs. Musa stated.
She further revealed plans to expand the training curriculum with additional courses, such as basic catering, modern farming techniques, and driving, starting in January 2025, while calling for continued support to sustain these initiatives.
In response, Air Vice Marshal Mamman praised the collaborative efforts of DEPOWA, NAFCOWA, and NAFRC in promoting community development. He highlighted the Centre’s self-sustaining initiatives, such as bread production, water processing, tailoring, and agricultural projects, which benefit both the Centre and the surrounding community.
The Commandant also noted the inclusivity of NAFRC’s programmes, announcing plans to establish a training centre for the blind and deaf by January 2025. He acknowledged the significant role women play in societal progress and advised vigilance regarding the impact of social media on family values.
Further discussing youth development, Air Vice Marshal Mamman outlined plans to promote sports by equipping a volleyball team and organising activities to positively engage young people, emphasising that “an idle mind is the devil’s workshop.”
The visit concluded with a tour of NAFRC’s facilities, showcasing ongoing projects. The Commandant expressed appreciation for DEPOWA’s contributions and assured the delegation of continued collaboration to empower society.
As NAFRC prepares to commence its new training session in January 2025, the Centre remains steadfast in equipping individuals with skills and resources to improve livelihoods and foster national development.
