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  • NAOWA hosts graduation ceremony for pupils in Ikeja

    NAOWA hosts graduation ceremony for pupils in Ikeja

    By Amina Agboide

    The 9 Brigade Zone of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), at the weekend hosted a graduation ceremony for pupils of its Creche, Nursery and Primary School, at the TA Lagbaja Cantonment, to instill the spirit of excellence and discipline in children.

    The ceremony, held at the Command Day Secondary School hall, was attended by high-ranking dignitaries from the military, government and private sector, who affirmed the school’s growing reputation for academic excellence and holistic child development.

    Delivering her remark virtually, the Zonal Coordinator of NAOWA 9 Brigade, Mrs. Olubukola Olayinka Oyekola, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the President of NAOWA, Mrs. Mernan Femi Oluyede, for creating a platform that fosters quality and affordable education for both military families and the Ikeja community.

    Mrs. Oyekola commended the teachers and parents for their dedication and hard work, praising them for nurturing children who are not only academically sound but also morally upright and emotionally intelligent. 

    According to her, values such as love, gratitude, friendship, unity, and the courage to uphold integrity have been instilled in the pupils, noting that they were vital tools for their success in future.

    Director of Education and Special Programmes, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Dr. Sulaimon Ogunmuyiwa, praised the NAOWA team for the school’s commitment to nurturing well rounded individuals.

    “This graduation ceremony is one for the books. The pupils’ confidence and creativity suggest that, with the right support, the sky is just the starting point,” Dr. Ogunmuyiwa remarked.

    Read Also: NAOWA walks against drug abuse, other vices

    At the event were Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT, Commodore Paul Nimmyel; Commander 643 Equipment Support Depot, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore E. Akintunde; General Manager, Lagos Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Mr. Lekan Bakare-Oki, among others.

    In his goodwill message, Brigadier General Olawale Matthew Oyekola, Commander of 9 Brigade Nigerian Army, extended gratitude to all guests. 

    He specifically applauded the teaching and non-teaching staff for the reforms initiated by the current NAOWA Coordinator. 

    Reaffirming his commitment to the school’s growth, Brig.-Gen. Oyekola presented personal awards to the best graduating pupils.

  • NAOWA walks against drug abuse, other vices

    NAOWA walks against drug abuse, other vices

    The Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA) has called on all hands to be on deck to prevent drug and substance abuse.

    The association argued preventing drug abuse is far more cost-effective and beneficial than treatment, stating investing in prevention programmes can save lives, protect barracks and communities as well as build a healthier and more prosperous society.

    NAOWA stated this during a awareness walk and seminar, which it said was borne out of a desire to combat the scourge of drug abuse with its attendant consequences.

    The Coordinator, NAOWA Apapa Zone, Mrs. Adesayo Adesina, spoke when she led hundreds of officers and soldiers wives in a sensitisation walk to create more awareness on the dangers of drug and substance abuse and illicit trafficking and the need for prevention.

    The association, which gathered teenagers, youths and students across the Apapa environs in an awareness seminar to talk on the dangers of drug and substance abuse among youths, attracted members of The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) who educated participants on the consequences and punishment for offenders with regards to the Law.

    Mrs Adesina explained that the sensitisation walk and seminar, the first of its kind was in line with the 2024 World Drug Day with the theme: ‘The evidence is clear, invest in prevention’ in line with the vision statement of The NAOWA National President, Mrs Mariya Lagbaja, which is “Sustaining legacies through unwavering commitment to unity and service for the betterment of humanity.”

    Adesina stressed that Mrs Lagbaja’s vision statement serves as a guiding principle for efforts in raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse and the importance of prevention.

    According to her: “The danger of drug abuse is a pressing social issue, hence investing in prevention programmes is not only beneficial on an individual level but also on a social level.

    Read Also: NPFL: Mbah splashes N50m, other rewards on victorious Rangers

    “Drug abuse has far-reaching consequences that extend beyond the individual user, affecting families, barracks, communities and the economy as a whole. Parents especially mothers, can prevent drug abuse before it starts.

    “We can reduce the burden on ourselves and healthcare system, as well as decrease crime rates in our barracks and environs. This will improve overall social well-being and create a safe and more supportive environment for our children, thereby empowering them to make healthy choices in reaching their full potentials.”

    In his lecture, ” Effect of substance use: Awareness and lrevention” Lt Col Adanu, a Military Psychologist, advised youths to be aware of pastries and drinks laced with cannabis and other substances and be extremely careful of the companies they keep.

    He further stated based on information from relations of victims of kidnapping, drugs and substance abuse have been a catalyst for terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, various violence and conflict troubling the country.

    He urged parents and guardians to spend time with their children, monitor them, correct their wrong beliefs and help them with their life choices. Lt Col Adanu further warned parents never to use drugs and substances in front of their children.