Kaduna, Nigeria — July 2025
In a week that celebrated military excellence and national pride, the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) quietly stole the spotlight not with fanfare, but with a powerful wave of humanitarian outreach that brought relief, health, and hope to hundreds of vulnerable members of the Nigerian military community.
As part of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2025, NAOWA, under the leadership of its President, Mrs. Mernan Femi Oluyede, rolled out a series of impactful projects and outreach programs across Kaduna State from 3rd to 6th July, touching the lives of widows, wounded soldiers, expectant mothers, and children.
Food items and financial assistance were distributed, but more than that, these widows received something priceless: recognition, community, and the assurance that they are not alone.
“This is a reflection of our President’s vision of ‘Enhancing Humanity Through a Steadfast Commitment to Unity, Service, and the Preservation of Enduring Legacies,’” Mrs. Ibrahim told the gathering. “NAOWA stands with you not just today, but always.”
In her welcome remarks, Mrs. Ada Lander Saraso, Chairperson of NAOWA 1 Division Chapter, praised the NAOWA leadership for prioritising family welfare and restoring hope to bereaved women across the barracks community.
Wounded-in-action soldiers, pregnant women, nursing mothers, and dependents were attended to by medical personnel as NAOWA distributed care packages, hygiene kits, and over 200 mosquito nets to improve maternal health and infection prevention within the hospital.
Mrs. Ibrahim addressed the beneficiaries, urging them to remain strong and hopeful:
“You represent the strength of this nation. Your health and comfort will always be a top priority for NAOWA.”
The following day, Saturday, 5th July, NAOWA commissioned two major facilities in Kaduna:
- A remodelled surgical theatre at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department of 44 NARHK.
- A fully upgraded NAOWA Crèche and Nursery School at Ribadu Cantonment.
Both projects are part of NAOWA’s strategy to improve access to maternal healthcare and early childhood education for military families. Speaking at the commissioning, Mrs. Ibrahim, on behalf of the NAOWA President, said:
“This theatre is more than bricks and machines, it is safety for mothers, hope for families, and a tool for saving lives.”
The Crèche project, initiated by Mrs. Saraso, was enhanced with shuttle tricycles and a new shelter to ease transportation for children. She emphasized that early childhood education is a foundation for future progress, calling on parents to embrace the initiative and enrol their wards.
NAOWA’s presence was also felt during the NADCEL Gala Night and Grand Finale, held at the Umar Musa Yar’Adua Conference Centre and Murtala Mohammed Square in Kaduna on 5th and 6th July respectively.
Represented by Mrs. Ibrahim, NAOWA joined dignitaries including Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima (who stood in for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu), Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Gwabin Musa, Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen OO Oluyede, and Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State for the ceremonial parades and exhibitions.
From innovation showcases to cultural performances, the Nigerian Army put forward a stunning display of strength, unity, and advancement. NAOWA members toured the Research and Development Pavilion, observed award ceremonies, and shared in the celebratory luncheon to cap off the momentous week.
The Kaduna outreach followed an earlier milestone by NAOWA, where over 1,500 soldiers’ wives and widows were supported in a large-scale relief initiative at the Aguiyi-Ironsi Cantonment, Abuja, on 28th June 2025.
With every gift, every smile, and every project unveiled, NAOWA is proving that service to the nation and does not end with military ranks, it extends to the families who stand behind the uniforms.
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