The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to skills acquisition and entrepreneurship as critical tools for improving the welfare of military families and promoting national development.
Shaibu, represented by the Chief of Administration (Army), Maj.-Gen. Isa Abdullahi, stated this at the graduation of 192 beneficiaries of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) Youth Empowerment Project in Abuja.
He said the ICT and Fashion Design training, alongside the inauguration of the NAOWA Delight Bakery and NAOWA Stitches and Designs, reflected the Army’s resolve to empower personnel’s families through sustainable livelihood.
Quoting American motivational speaker Jim Rohn, the COAS said, “Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune,” stressing the importance of continuous learning and practical skills.
He said the knowledge acquired by the graduates would stimulate entrepreneurship, create jobs, reduce vulnerability to social vices and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic development.
Shaibu urged the graduates to embrace innovation, integrity and resilience, saying the ceremony marked the beginning of greater opportunities rather than the end of their learning journey.
The President of NAOWA, Dr Safiyyah Hassan Shaibu, said the association’s vision was to empower military families through self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods.
She said the 192 graduates represented a new generation equipped with practical skills in ICT and fashion design, while the bakery and fashion hub would provide platforms for training, employment and entrepreneurship.
The President of the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs Mernan Femi Oluyede, described the graduation as an investment in human capital and a milestone in preparing young Nigerians for a technology-driven economy.
Oluyede commended NAOWA for complementing skills acquisition with enterprise, saying opportunities combined with practical skills had the capacity to transform generations and drive sustainable development.
Former NAOWA President, Mrs Salamatu Yahaya, congratulated the association for sustaining impactful empowerment programmes that continue to benefit military families and surrounding communities.
Yahaya described the inauguration of the bakery and fashion centre as landmark achievements and pledged her continued support for initiatives that promote entrepreneurship, economic growth and national development.
Earlier, the Acting Rector of the NAOWA Institute of Management and Technology (NIMTA), Capt. Safiya Tafida, said 192 trainees graduated from the programme, comprising 160 ICT graduates and 32 Fashion Design graduates.
Tafida said the beneficiaries received free vocational training under the NAOWA Youth Empowerment Project, designed to equip them with practical and entrepreneurial skills for self-reliance.
She added that NAOWA was pursuing accreditation to commence National Diploma and Diploma programmes, while plans were underway to establish a garment production factory to employ outstanding graduates.
According to her, the factory will also produce uniforms for NAOWA schools and other institutions, further expanding employment opportunities for beneficiaries.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of certificates to the graduates and the inauguration of the NAOWA Delight Bakery and NAOWA Stitches and Designs Centre. (NAN).
