By: Okosun Dennis
In a bid to enhance teaching and learning process and to provide more classrooms for the increasing pupils’ population at the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) Model Nursery and Primary, Ojo Cantonment, new facilities have been commissioned by the wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu.
Mrs Sanwo-Olu, who was the Special Guest of Honour,
while inaugurating the facilities today, Thursday, congratulated the pupils for having such facilities and NAOWA for the initiatives to build quality facilities of such international standard.
In a goodwill message by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, delivered on his behalf by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Maj Gen Obinna Ajunwa commended NAOWA’s infrastructure innovativeness, adding that their act of benevolence has helped garner needed support from citizens for combating insecurity in some parts of the country.
The facilities consist of a 500 Seater Multipurpose Hall, a Block of six Classrooms and an ICT Centre at the School, Ojo.
In her remarks, the National President, NAOWA, Mrs Salamatu Yahaya said that the construction of the facilities commenced on the 27 January 2022, when she conducted the Ground Breaking Ceremony for the construction of the projects.
She explained that on assumption of office as the 22nd President of the Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association, she carried out a needs assessment of the NAOWA Model Nursery and Primary School Ojo and observed that the school which started off in the year 1985 with 165 Pupils, currently has over 695 Pupils.
Based on the assessment report which indicated exponential increase in population coupled with the need to provide requisite infrastructural facilities for a standard school setting, led to the initiative to construct additional classrooms, and other facilities in the School.
As part of its Socio-Economic Development of the nation,
NAOWA has become a major employer of labour with a current employee strength of approximately 1,500 across the country.
The Model school, Ojo was established on the 26th September 1985. Currently, NAOWA has and operates six colleges, 40 Nursery and Primary Schools, the NAOWA Institute of Management and Technology (NIMTA) Abuja, Event Centres, as well as Vocational Training Centers across the country.
The mother of the Day, Mrs Alero Azazi, who was a former President NAOWA and former President DEPOWA, observed that the school had significantly impacted positively on the lives of barracks children adding that the ICT centre is in compliance with the world order advancing in Information technology.
In her testimony as one of the alumus of the school, Miss Ademuyiwa Ajoke, who is now a 200 level student of Medicine and Surgery at the University of Lagos applauded the quality of teaching she received from her teachers that has contributed immensely to her educational pursuit thus far.
In honour of NAOWA heroines that have left their mark in the annals of providing quality education to our children, Mrs Yahaya graciously named the newly constructed 500 Seater Capacity Multipurpose Hall as NAOWA MULTIPURPOSE HALL.
Additionally, as a show of appreciation that there is a reward for hard work and dedication to duty, there were presentation of gift and certificates of commendation to seven staffs of the School, who have worked for an unbroken period of 10 years and above, as well as two other staffs for their meritorious service in the School.
To fill the gap of poor electricity supply to the facilities, the 37 Regular Course Queens donated a 40KVA Mikano Generator to the NAOWA Model Nursery and Primary School Ojo.
However, while the Block of six Classrooms was named as MRS Salamatu F. Yahaya Block, the ICT Centre was dedicated to the 37 RC Queens for their tremendous efforts in the advancement and establishment of structural and humanitarian legacies across various Nigeria Army Units and formations.
In her vote of thanks, wife of the GOC, 81 Division, Dr (Mrs) Ada Ajunwa appreciated all the invited guests for their time and generous supports.
Present at the ceremony where representatives of both Presidents of Naval Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA) and Nigerian Airforce Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA) and some members; Corp Commanders, Principal Staff officers and other distinguished guestd.