In a vibrant display of academic excellence, cultural heritage, and institutional development, the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) Nursery, Primary and Secondary School, located within Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja, held its 2025 Speech and Prize Giving Day Ceremony to mark the successful conclusion of the 2024/2025 academic session. The celebration which featured graduation events for the different levels of the school, attracted dignitaries from across Nigeria’s military and paramilitary circles, educators, parents, and well-wishers who gathered to honour the achievements of the students and the transformative strides of the institution.
The ceremony served as a platform to showcase academic accomplishments, moral discipline, and creative expressions by pupils and students, while also celebrating the massive infrastructural and welfare reforms carried out under the leadership of the President of DEPOWA, Mrs. Oghogho G. Musa.
In her heartfelt address during the occasion, Mrs. Musa described the event as not just a recognition of scholastic excellence but a celebration of well-rounded development. “We are not only celebrating excellence today; we are celebrating character, purpose, resilience, and the power of dreams,” she declared. She attributed the success of the school and its students to divine grace, the commitment of the staff, and the strong partnership between DEPOWA and the wider education community within the Armed Forces.
Mrs. Musa noted that DEPOWA’s educational philosophy is anchored on nurturing young minds in an environment that promotes not only learning but moral values, patriotism, and creativity. She emphasized that the celebration was not just about academic performance, but also about recognizing talents, innovation, and character traits that shape future leaders.
Giving a breakdown of the recent milestones achieved under her administration, Mrs. Musa listed the equipping of science laboratories, repainting of school buildings, installation of new computer systems, provision of a 100KVA generator, and the establishment of a state-of-the-art culinary arts studio for practical learning for both students and trainees from the DEPOWA Skills Acquisition Centre. These efforts according to Mrs. Musa were designed to elevate the quality of education and practical exposure for the students in line with global standards.
She also highlighted improvements in staff welfare, including salary increments and a series of health and wellness programmes initiated for both staff and students. “We conducted eye screenings for our students and cervical cancer screenings for our female staff. A healthy school community is the foundation of academic excellence,” she noted.
Mrs. Musa extended her profound appreciation to the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her unwavering support to DEPOWA’s education goals, and to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR, for his continued encouragement and institutional backing. She also acknowledged the collective efforts of teachers, parents, and the school administrators whose passion and commitment have sustained the school’s vision over the years.
Dr. Lilian Iwu, a renowned educator and mental health advocate while delivering the keynote address, used her personal story of academic struggle and eventual triumph to inspire the graduating students. “You must stay focused, surround yourselves with encouragers, and not be afraid of failure. I failed my WAEC four times, but today I stand here, a Ph.D. holder. Your journey will not always be smooth, but resilience will take you far,” she advised.
To support the psychological and emotional well-being of the outgoing SS3 students, Dr. Iwu also announced plans by her team to initiate a special mental health support programme aimed at helping them transition successfully into adulthood and higher education.
In his welcome address, the Commander of the DEPOWA School described the event as a milestone in the academic life of the school and its students. He praised the vibrant academic and extracurricular programmes that had shaped the learners into confident and disciplined individuals. Drawing an analogy from military precision, he urged the graduates to approach their future with focus, discipline, and strategic intent. “The next phase of your lives is like a sniper’s mission, it requires accuracy, patience, and discipline,” he charged.
The Commander also expressed deep appreciation to the DEPOWA President, Mrs. Oghogho Musa, for her unwavering support and visionary leadership. He further acknowledged the invaluable contributions of the DEPOWA School Education Committee, the Parent-Teacher Association, and the entire academic and non-academic staff who have worked tirelessly to uphold the institution’s standard.
The occasion was graced by representatives of sister military and paramilitary officers’ wives associations. The President of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), Mrs. Lina Femiuri, was represented by Mrs. Dorothy Tangona. Also in attendance were representatives of the President of the Naval Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA), Mrs. Ijeoma Vilesi Ogalla, represented by Mrs. Lydia Levy; the President of the Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA), Architect Dr. Rukayat Abubakar, represented by Mrs. Elizabeth Rumeson; and the President of the Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), Mrs. Kikelomo Adeniyi, represented by Mrs. Funsho Olumo Ideu. Their presence reflected the unity and shared commitment to education and welfare that binds the families of Nigeria’s uniformed services.
The event was rich with cultural and artistic performances, including drama, dance, and musical renditions that reflected Nigeria’s diverse heritage and the creative talents of the students. Awards and prizes were presented to outstanding students in various categories, including academics, sports, leadership, and good conduct. Applause and joyful tears filled the atmosphere as students mounted the stage to receive recognition for their hard work and exceptional character.
The 2025 DEPOWA Speech and Prize Giving Day will be remembered not just for its glamour and celebration, but for the reaffirmation of the school’s commitment to holistic education, and the inspiring message from its leadership, that every child has the potential to excel, not only in academics but also in life.
