By Balarabe Oshiafi
At a colourful ceremony in Bori Camp, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the President of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), Mrs Mariya Abiodun Lagbaja, has commissioned several newly completed projects during her maiden visit to the 6 Division of the Nigeria Army.
The three-day event which took place from 29 – 31 October 2023, witnessed the commissioning of a newly renovated NAOWA Creche and Nursery School, remodeled NAOWA Primary School and newly constructed NAOWA Motor Park.
The NAOWA President also laid the foundation stone of a standard, ultra modern NAOWA College with a projected capacity to accommodate 210 students.
As this newspaper learnt, all the projects were conceptualized by the Chairperson NAOWA 6 Division Chapter Port Harcourt, Mrs Maryam Almustapha Abdussalam.
During her remarks at the occasion, the President NAOWA who was also the Special Guest of Honour (SGOH) commended the efforts of the Chairperson NAOWA 6 Division Chapter, applauding her for her innovation and embarking on projects aimed at providing a conducive environment for learning. She equally commended her for having the foresight in creating befitting classrooms to improve on the quality of education in the school.
In the same vein, the President NAOWA also commended Headquarters 6 Division for the continued support to the NAOWA 6 Division Chapter over time.
Mrs Lagbaja gave the commendation when she paid a courtesy visit to the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division Nigerian Army Rivers State, Major General Jamal Habu Absussalam at Headquarters 6 Division, Bori Camp, Port Harcourt.
The NAOWA President specially thanked the GOC for the consistent support in ensuring the successful completion of the projects within the stipulated time frame. She thereafter urged the NAOWA Members to ensure proper stewardship of all the provided facilities.
In his remarks, the GOC thanked the NAOWA President for the visit and harped on the relevance of NAOWA to the Nigerian Army. He thereafter assured the President of the consistent support of 6 Division in attainment of the President’s vision.
Similarly, while speaking during the Commissioning Ceremony, the Chairperson NAOWA 6 Division Chapter, Mrs Maryam Abdussalam expressed her gratitude to the President NAOWA for gracing the occasion, emphasizing that the projects were envisaged in actualization of the President NAOWA’s vision of, “Sustaining Legacy Through Unwavering Commitment to Unity and Service for the Betterment of Humanity”.
The event also witnessed a humanitarian outreach where the NAOWA President donated various relief items including cash tokens and foodstuff items amongst others to the teachers of the NAOWA Creche/Nursery and Primary School, and some selected widows in th barracks. The President also made some donations to the Nigerian Army Soldiers Wives Association, Magajiyas and staff at the NAOWA Vocational Centre.