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…as 81 Div GOC pledges to support NAOWA activities
By: Okosun Dennis & Alex Olise
The need to have an Information Communication Technology (ICT), conducive learning environment and ensure that the students have good and comfortable classrooms and Assembly Hall for activities necessitated the urgent need to build a deserving infrastructure to meet contemporary sound educational system at the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Associations Model Nursery and Primary School, Ojo Cantonment, Lagos.
Performing the ceremony at the school premises on Thursday, the wife of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, who is the National President of NAOWA, Mrs Salamatu Faruk Yahaya, said the project was conceived out of her vision of “Sustaining Legacies and Upholding the Tenets of Unity and Service”.
While welcoming dignitaries to the historic foundation laying ceremony, Mrs Yahaya, who laid the stone for the construction of one Block of six Classrooms, ICT Laboratory and a 500 Seater Assembly Hall, emphasized that the project was of immense significance to her.
“Aside being the commencement process of one of my pet projects as the President NAOWA, it is also a forum for me to show gratitude for the efforts of our past leaders for establishing this school. I cannot talk about the NAOWA Model Nursery and Primary School Ojo without identifying the contributions of the late Mrs Maryam Babangida to NAOWA in particular and humanity in general.
“As most of us know, the NAOWA Model Nursery and Primary School Ojo, is the first NAOWA School in Nigeria established by Mrs Maryam Babangida in 1985 as a Nursery School.
“At that time, the school was not autonomous as it was partially administered by the Command Children School Ojo. NAOWA subsequently took over the running of the school in the year 2000. Since then, the pioneer school has been under the supervision of the NAOWA National Secretariat.
“It is, therefore, my honour to perform the Foundation Laying for the construction of 1 Block of 6 Classrooms, I.C.T Laboratory and a 500 seater Assembly Hall here at the pioneer NAOWA Model Nursery and Primary School Nigerian Army Cantonment Ojo to compliment and improve the already existing structures.
“This projects when completed would provide additional classrooms to accommodate more pupils, create new learning opportunities in areas of information and communication technology, provide a conducive hall for assembly and other school activities as well as employment opportunities,” Mrs Salamatu Yahaya reiterated.
Also at the Ojo Cantonment, she also carried out the commissioning of NAOWA 81 Division chapter of Fish and Poultry Farm.
In her remarks, Mrs Yahaya said the Fish and Poultry Farm was conceived as part of measures aimed at enhancing the welfare of families of Nigerian Army personnel.
Adding that the actualization of this Fish and Poultry Farm would, indeed display NAOWAS’ commitments towards capacity development and economic growth of women and youths.
While appreciating the Chairperson NAOWA 81 Division Chapter, Mrs Oghenerukevwe Fejokwu for her effort and support in ensuring the success of this event, Mrs Yahaya also thanked the Commanders, Principal Staff Officers, Officers and Men of 81 Division Nigerian Army, for supporting NAOWA activities at all times adding that the support to NAOWA would continuously be utilized for service to humanity.
Earlier, the NAOWA President paid a courtesy visit on the General Officer Commanding, (GOC) 81 Division Nigerian Army, Maj Gen Lawrence Fejokwu for the support he has extended to the activities of NAOWA at the Division’s Areas of Responsibilities.
During the visit, Maj Gen Fejokwu lauded her intervention in so many areas adding that the way NAOWA President is handling administration of the Association was germaine, especially levaraging on what the predecessors have put on ground and trying to improve on them.
Acknowledging the paucity of funds occasioned by the economic situation in the country, observed that “we cannot afford to start a project, leave it half way for another person to finish. It is better we start and finish one, make good use of it and then begin to build another one and that is exactly what your are doing,” he emphasized.
Gen Fejokwu added, “I believe that this should be well documented by your organisation to serve as a model to people of future generations to come. I thank you for the path that you have carved out in reaching out to the poor. You have always put it in your fore front to reach out to widows and the less privileged. I will continue to support NAOWA activity wherever and whenever I can.”
Mrs Salamatu Faruk Yahaya arrived Lagos State on Wednesday on a two-day maiden visit to 81 Division. She was received by the GOC, Maj Gen Lawrence Fejokwu, the 9 Brigade Commander, Ikeja Cantonment and members of NAOWA at the Airforce Wing, Muritala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja.
