Andulsalami Abdulfatai Sokoto
As part of the 162nd Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL), the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), 8 Division Sokoto, hosted a heartfelt event on Monday, June 30, 2025, celebrating the often-unseen strength of women who stand behind Nigeria’s soldiers.
With the theme “The Strength Behind the Uniform,” the gathering paid glowing tribute to the wives, mothers, daughters, and sisters whose emotional, psychological, and moral support sustains the nation’s military personnel—especially those on active duty, far from home.
The event, held at the Ginginya Barracks, featured impactful sensitization lectures from distinguished speakers including Dr. Amira Bello, Dr. Aisha Alhassan, and Magistrate Fatima A. Abbas. They engaged women of the barracks community on the unique challenges of military family life and their pivotal roles in nurturing stability, raising children, and holding the home front.
Delivering a powerful keynote address, the Chairperson of NAOWA 8 Division, Mrs. Meg Ndidi Ajose, described women in the military community as “the silent forces” behind Nigeria’s security architecture.
“This week is not only to celebrate our uniformed heroes—our husbands, brothers, fathers, and sisters—but also to recognize the selfless sacrifices of women whose strength, patience, and resilience form the bedrock of our military families,” she said.
Mrs. Ajose emphasized the need for women to remain proactive in fostering peace, health awareness, education, and community development within the barracks and beyond. She also extended a heartfelt tribute to widows of fallen soldiers.
“To the widows among us, whose loved ones paid the supreme price in service to the nation, this week is yours too. May God grant you comfort and enduring peace. You are, and will always be, part of this family,” she affirmed.
The guest lecturers addressed critical topics including parenting in the absence of deployed spouses, coping mechanisms, and strategies to maintain mental and emotional wellbeing.
In her closing remarks, Mrs. Ajose urged women in the military community to deepen their solidarity and collective impact.
“Let us lift each other up, extend our reach, and continue building stronger families and communities. Together, we are not just supporting the uniform, we are its strength,” she concluded.
The event also showcased NAOWA’s ongoing initiatives focused on family welfare, educational support, and humanitarian outreach, reinforcing the group’s commitment to a stronger, more resilient military society.
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