NAOWA President Visits Headquarters 3 Division Nigerian Army, Commissions Multiple Projects
It was a celebration all around and in Maxwell Khobe Cantonment, Jos, Plateau State recently when the President of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) Mrs Mariya Abiodun Lagbaja commissioned several newly completed projects during her maiden visit to the 3 Division Area of Responsibility.
The colourful 3 – day event which took place from 22 – 24 November 2023, witnessed the commissioning of a brand new multipurpose hall named, “Mariya Abiodun Lagbaja (MAL) Multi-purpose Hall, a remodeled NAOWA Creche and Admin block at the NAOWA Nursery and Primary School, and newly constructed NAOWA Bus Stop where some branded NAOWA tricycles were also commissioned.
The NAOWA President also laid the foundation stone of a standard, ultra-modern recreational Center comprising various recreational facilities, a children’s playground and a restaurant amongst other facilities.
The NAOWA President also commissioned a number of “tricycle Ambulances”, an innovative project conceptualized by the 3 Division Medical Services and Hospital to facilitate prompt movement of patients within the barracks during emergencies.
All the projects were conceptualized by the Chairperson NAOWA 3 Division Chapter Jos, Mrs Fibishola Abubakar.
During her remarks at the occasion, the President NAOWA who was also the Special Guest of Honour (SGOH) commended the efforts of the Chairperson NAOWA 3 Division Chapter, applauding her for her innovation and foresight in embarking on projects aimed at providing a conducive environment to advance NAOWA’s cause within the barracks. She equally commended her for having the foresight to create a befitting tricycle park to alleviate transportation challenges in the barracks.
In the same vein, the President NAOWA also commended Headquarters 3 Division for the continued support of the NAOWA 3 Division Chapter over time. Mrs Lagbaja gave the commendation when she paid a courtesy visit to the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division Nigerian Army Plateau State, Major General Abdulsalam Enesi Abubakar at Headquarters 3 Division, Maxwell Khobe, Cantonment, Jos. The NAOWA President especially thanked the GOC for the consistent support in ensuring the successful completion of the projects within the stipulated time frame. She thereafter urged the NAOWA Members to ensure proper stewardship of all the provided facilities.
In his remarks, the GOC thanked the NAOWA President for the visit and applauded her for her unwavering commitment to bettering the lot of barrack communities in the nation. He harped on the relevance of NAOWA to the Nigerian Army, applauding the tireless and concerted efforts of the Association in keeping the home front.
He thereafter assured the President of the consistent support of 3 Division to all NAOWA activities, to the end of actualizing of the NAOWA President’s vision.
Similarly, while speaking during the Commissioning Ceremony, the Chairperson NAOWA 3 Division Chapter, Mrs Fibishola Abubakar, expressed her gratitude to the President NAOWA for gracing the occasion, emphasizing that the projects were envisaged in actualization of the President NAOWA’s vision of, “Sustaining Legacy Through Unwavering Commitment to Unity and Service for the Betterment of Humanity”.
Highlights of the occasion were the foundation laying of the ultra-modern recreational park, tree – planting exercise, commissioning ceremonies, distribution of palliatives to widows, group photographs and presentation of souvenirs to the SGOH at a special dinner organized in her honour.
The dinner witnessed the presentation of gifts and awards to the current and immediate past Chairperson NAOWA 3 Division Chapter, Mrs Fibishola Abubakar and Bilkisu Ibrahim respectively by the NAOWA President, for their commitment and tireless efforts in projecting the affairs of the Chapter.
It is noteworthy to mention that the newly commissioned MAL Multi-purpose Hall was initiated by the former Chairperson, NAOWA 3 Division Chapter hence her special recognition at the event by the President.
Furthermore, the Event also witnessed a humanitarian outreach where the NAOWA President donated various relief items including cash tokens and foodstuff items amongst others to the teachers of the NAOWA Creche/Nursery and Primary School, and some selected widows in the barracks. The President also made some donations to the Nigerian Army Soldiers Wives Association, Magajiyas and staff at the NAOWA vocational centre.
