By Nkechi Eze
As part of the line-up of activities marking the Graduation Ceremony of Course 33 of the National Defence College (NDC), the National Defence College Officers’ Wives Association (NDCOWA) organised a high-profile seminar on “The Military Family and Mental Health.” The event, held at the iconic Abacha Hall of the College in Abuja, placed strong emphasis on addressing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) within the military community, highlighting both the challenges and the support mechanisms required to help service personnel and their families cope with the unique demands of military life.
The President of the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs. Oghogho Musa, served as the Special Guest of Honour and was ably represented by Dr. Mrs. Helen Kangye. Also in attendance was the past DEPOWA President, Barrister Mrs. Victoria Irabor, who graced the occasion as Mother of the Day. The Commandant of the NDC, Rear Admiral J.O. Okosun, and his wife, Mrs. Isabella Okosun, who doubles as the Coordinator of NDCOWA, were also present, alongside Architect Dr. Rakiya Abubakar, President of the Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA). Representatives of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), Naval Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA), Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), and Defence Space Administration Officers’ Wives Association (DSAOWA), led by Mrs. Rukayyat Olajumoke Oluwatoyin, joined members of the military family, including the 40th Fabulous Babes, participants’ wives, senior officers of the College, and invited guests.
In her welcome address, Mrs. Isabella Okosun, the NDCOWA Coordinator, underscored the importance of fostering resilience and creating safe spaces for dialogue around mental health issues in the military community. She noted that while service personnel are trained to withstand extreme pressure, their families also shoulder significant emotional and psychological burdens which must be acknowledged and addressed.
The seminar featured a thought-provoking presentation by Barrister Mrs. Anwuri Irabor, who emphasised the role of family support structures in cushioning the effects of PTSD and related mental health challenges. This was followed by a goodwill message delivered by Dr. Mrs. Helen Kangye on behalf of the DEPOWA President. She reaffirmed DEPOWA’s commitment to championing initiatives that enhance the wellbeing of military families and applauded NDCOWA for placing mental health at the heart of its engagement with participants and their families.
Medical experts also lent their voices, sharing candid accounts of the challenges faced by service personnel and their spouses in balancing the heavy demands of military service with family life. They provided practical coping mechanisms and recommendations, underscoring the need for collective action to promote a culture of mental health awareness across all strata of the Armed Forces.
The seminar, blending the warmth of solidarity with the urgency of advocacy, reinforced the idea that the strength of the military institution rests not only on the gallantry of its personnel but equally on the resilience and wellbeing of their families.
