By Bavoriat Clara
The Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), under the leadership of its President, Mrs. Oghogho Gwabin Musa, convened the second edition of its Quarterly Wellness Programme in Abuja, bringing together members of the Defence Sector Wives Association (DENCOWA) for a day of inspiration, practical knowledge, and shared experiences aimed at promoting physical, mental, social, and economic well-being.
The quarterly event, which has quickly evolved into a signature DEPOWA platform, was designed to tackle the peculiar challenges faced by families of military and security personnel. It featured a blend of motivational talks, interactive sessions, and professional insights tailored to strengthen resilience among women in the defence community.
The DEPOWA President, Mrs. Oghogho Musa, noted that the initiative was borne out of a deep commitment to empower women who serve as the backbone of military families. She highlighted the importance of balance, ensuring that women prioritize their well-being while also nurturing their families and contributing meaningfully to society.
The programme featured three thought-provoking presentations. The first, on “Total Well-being for Women” by Senator Grace Bent, underscored the necessity for women to embrace a holistic approach to health by paying attention not only to physical fitness but also to emotional stability, spiritual nourishment, and social connections. Senator Bent stressed that true empowerment starts with inner strength and intentional self-care.
The second presentation, delivered by Mrs. Linda Ekeator, centered on “Entrepreneurship Development for Economic Empowerment.” She challenged participants to harness their creativity and skills to build sustainable ventures that can provide financial independence, particularly in the face of economic uncertainty. Mrs. Ekeator emphasized that entrepreneurship is not only a source of income but also a path to dignity, influence, and long-term family stability.
The third session, a deeply engaging presentation on “Intentional Parenting” by renowned parenting coach Mrs. Wendy Ologe, spoke directly to the unique challenges of raising children in military and security families.
She outlined issues such as frequent relocations, deployments, separations, and reintegration after service, all of which often destabilize children’s social and emotional lives. Mrs. Ologe offered practical strategies, including maintaining consistent routines, fostering open communication, helping children retain friendships across distances, and building support systems to ease adjustment.
She also emphasized the importance of intentional reintegration of deployed parents into family life, highlighting that “parenting in the military context requires more tools, more resilience, and more deliberate effort.”
In a notable gesture of support, Mrs. Musa presented each DENCOWA member with a copy of Mrs. Ologe’s book, pledging to assess them after a short period to ensure they had studied and applied the lessons. This move, she explained, was to encourage practical learning and accountability in parenting within the defence community.
Delivering the Vote of Thanks, Mrs. Nancy Ijezie expressed appreciation to the DEPOWA President for her vision and commitment to the welfare of women in the defence sector. She extended gratitude to the guest speakers for their insightful contributions and to all participants for making the programme lively and engaging. She also offered special thanks to Pauline Martins for her support, before urging everyone to carry forward the “sweet conversations” that began at the event into their daily lives and communities.
The event concluded on a high note with group photographs, presentation of plaques, and distribution of souvenirs to guest speakers and dignitaries, underscoring DEPOWA’s tradition of appreciation and inclusivity.
Participants described the programme as highly enriching, noting that it not only addressed pressing challenges but also provided actionable solutions that would improve their families’ quality of life.
Through initiatives like this, DEPOWA continues to cement its reputation as a forward-thinking and compassionate organization committed to the holistic empowerment of women and families in the nation’s defence architecture.
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