By Nkechi Eze
The President of the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs. Oghogho Musa, on Friday commissioned the newly built 38-bed Maternity Centre at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Hospital, Afaka, Kaduna State, in a ceremony that attracted top military officers, government officials, and members of the Armed Forces community.
The commissioning marked the completion of a project whose groundbreaking ceremony was performed by Mrs. Musa in January 2025. The facility, constructed, furnished, and donated by members of the 38 Regular Course (RC) Association of the Nigerian Defence Academy, is aimed at boosting maternal and child healthcare services within the Academy and its surrounding communities.
According to a statement signed by the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, the centre will provide essential services including childbirth, antenatal and postnatal care, as well as family planning. The association’s patron, Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR, is himself a member of RC 38 and played a central role in mobilizing support for the project.
Chairman of the project execution committee, Rear Admiral Murtala Bashir (rtd), commended General Musa, members of RC 38, the Service Chiefs, and the Commandant of the NDA for their unwavering contributions to the successful delivery of the project. He disclosed that the new facility is equipped with consulting rooms, a modern operating theatre, and other state-of-the-art amenities designed to enhance healthcare delivery. He also appealed to the wives of RC 38 members, known as the “Unique 38 Ladies,” through Mrs. Musa, to sustain their support and ensure that the maternity centre continues to serve its intended purpose effectively.
In a symbolic handover, President of the RC 38 Association, Major General Solomon Udounwa, presented the maternity centre to the Commandant of NDA, Major General Abdul Khalifah Ibrahim, after which a group photograph session followed.
The commissioning ceremony was graced by several dignitaries including the representative of the Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Ibrahim Hadeja, who is the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, representatives of the Service Chiefs, the NDA Commandant, wives of members of RC 38, executives and members of DEPOWA, as well as other serving and retired senior military officers.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Oghogho Musa expressed deep appreciation to the RC 38 Association for their commitment to uplifting healthcare within the military community. She described the maternity centre as a legacy project that would not only benefit personnel and their families but also contribute to strengthening civil-military relations by serving neighbouring communities.
The event, which blended military tradition with a humanitarian spirit, showcased the synergy between the Armed Forces and their families, underscoring the impact of collective effort in providing vital infrastructure for the benefit of society.
