By Nkechi Eze
The President of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), Mrs. Mernan Femi Oluyede, has paid a courtesy visit to the President of the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs. Oghogho Gwabin Musa, as part of her inaugural engagements since assuming office.
The visit, which took place on Friday, 16 May 2025, at the DEPOWA Secretariat in Abuja, served as a strategic step toward reinforcing existing bonds between the two leading associations dedicated to the welfare of military and paramilitary families in Nigeria.
In her remarks, Mrs. Oluyede noted that the visit marked her first official assignment as the 24th President of NAOWA. She expressed her appreciation for the warm reception by DEPOWA leadership and emphasized the common goals shared by both associations particularly in advancing the welfare of military spouses, empowering youth, and supporting vulnerable groups in society.
“Our visit here today is not only symbolic of the strong ties that bind our associations, but also a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to humanitarian service, community development, and advocacy for the wellbeing of military families especially women and children,” she stated.
Mrs. Oluyede further emphasized NAOWA’s desire to deepen collaboration with DEPOWA in mutually beneficial areas such as humanitarian outreach, youth empowerment programmes, skills acquisition, and health initiatives. She applauded DEPOWA’s existing projects which have helped promote sustainable development and financial independence among members.
“I am truly inspired by the initiatives already embarked upon by DEPOWA, especially those that empower our women to become more self-reliant. These are the kind of models we intend to expand upon through partnership and knowledge sharing,” she added.
While describing the visit as a platform for solidarity and vision alignment, the NAOWA President affirmed her association’s commitment to working closely with DEPOWA to amplify their collective impact and leave behind a legacy defined by strength, unity, and enduring purpose.
In her response, the President of DEPOWA, Mrs. Oghogho Gwabin Musa, warmly welcomed the NAOWA President and her delegation, stating that the visit was a meaningful opportunity to deepen understanding and mutual respect between sister associations.
Mrs. Musa congratulated Mrs. Oluyede on her assumption of office and expressed her confidence in the capacity of NAOWA under her leadership to build on the solid foundation laid by her predecessors.
“I am delighted to welcome you and your team to DEPOWA. We believe in the power of unity and cooperation, and I look forward to working with you to elevate the goals and aspirations we all hold dear for the families of our servicemen and women,” Mrs. Musa said.
She assured the NAOWA leadership of DEPOWA’s continued support, and reiterated her commitment to creating value across the network of defence and security officers’ spouses associations.
The event also featured an interactive session where both leaders exchanged ideas on areas of synergy and future collaboration. The highlight of the visit included the presentation of souvenirs and a group photograph to commemorate the occasion.
The engagement underscored a renewed era of collaboration, driven by visionary leadership and shared purpose to positively impact the lives of families within the Nigerian Armed Forces community.
