The Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), 4 Brigade Chapter, in collaboration with the Ocean Wave Group, has inaugurated a two-month skills acquisition programme for 100 women and youths in the Ekehuan Military Cantonment, Benin City, Edo State.
The training, which commenced on July 13, was officially inaugurated on Thursday at the NAOWA Skills Acquisition Centre and is aimed at equipping participants with practical vocational skills to promote self-reliance and income generation.
Speaking at the inauguration, President of Ocean Wave Group, Mr Peter Omoh Dunia, represented by Hon. Abibat Yakubu, said the beneficiaries are receiving training in Advanced Tailoring and Crafts, Catering, Hairdressing, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Photography and Videography, Event Decoration and Cosmetology.
She said the programme was designed to provide participants with practical, hands-on skills that would reduce unemployment, create opportunities for self-employment and empower them to establish and manage their own businesses after the training.
In her welcome address, Zonal Coordinator of NAOWA 4 Brigade Chapter, Mrs Mariam Aina Balogun, described the programme, themed “Skills for Income,” as timely and relevant, noting that the selected skills were based on current market demands and their potential to generate sustainable income.
She urged the participants to approach the training with dedication and discipline, stressing that the knowledge acquired should be used
to establish businesses, support their families and create employment opportunities for others.Mrs Balogun said, “We believe that when we empower a woman, we empower a home. When we empower a youth, we secure the future. And when we empower families within the barracks, we strengthen the morale and welfare of our troops.”
She added that NAOWA was founded on the tripod of charity, welfare and employment, noting that the initiative directly supports the association’s employment objective.
The coordinator also commended the Commander of 4 Brigade, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, for his continued support for NAOWA programmes and efforts aimed at improving the welfare of women and children in the barracks.
In his remarks, Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Balogun applauded the partnership between NAOWA and Ocean Wave Group, describing the initiative as timely and impactful.
He urged the beneficiaries to maximise the opportunity by acquiring skills that would improve their livelihoods and contribute to their families’ income, assuring them of his continued support for programmes that positively impact the welfare of women and children in the barracks.
The event was attended by the Edo State Director of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), Mr Cletus Uwadia, Commander of 4 Brigade Garrison, Lieutenant Colonel A.B. Balal, Commanding Officer of 322 Artillery Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel K.B. Adeyemi, and other dignitaries.
