By Prosper Mene
The Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) marked the 2025 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) with a heartfelt humanitarian outreach at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna. The initiative, tagged ‘Special Humanitarian Outreach,’ provided essential support to women in maternity wards, children in the accident and emergency unit, and injured officers recovering at the military medical facility, showcasing NAOWA’s commitment to uplifting military families and communities.
NAOWA distributed food items, essential supplies, and cash gifts to over 120 widows of fallen soldiers from various units under the 1 Division’s Area of Responsibility. The association also extended its compassion to patients at the military hospital, offering vital support to new mothers, children receiving emergency care, and injured personnel. The gesture, which drew widespread appreciation, shows NAOWA’s dedication to addressing the welfare needs of those connected to the Nigerian Army.
Mrs. Mernan Femi Oluyede, NAOWA President, represented by Mrs. Bilikisu Ibrahim, wife of the Chief of Policy and Plans, emphasized that the outreach was more than a charitable act, it was a tribute to the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes and their families. “Our focus today is on a vital part of the Army family, the widows of our fallen heroes. These 120 women represent courage, resilience, and the dignity of sacrifice,” she said. She added that the initiative aligned with the 2025 NADCEL theme, “Developing the Soldier First Concept: Imperative for the Nigerian Army’s Transformation Drive,” highlighting the importance of empathy in supporting the military community.
The outreach received emotional responses from beneficiaries, with some widows shedding tears as they received the aid. NAOWA’s efforts were commended for fostering unity and providing tangible support to those bearing the burdens of military service. The association’s wider mission includes education, healthcare, and humanitarian initiatives, with programs like this reinforcing its role in enhancing the well-being of soldiers’ families and surrounding communities.
This outreach follows NAOWA’s ongoing tradition of impactful interventions, including the operation of the Army Command and NAOWA Hospital in Abuja, which provides primary, secondary, and specialized tertiary healthcare to military personnel, their families, and civilians. The Kaduna initiative serves as a powerful reminder of NAOWA’s steadfast commitment to compassion, unity, and service.
