By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Nigerian Air Force Officers Wives Association (NAFOWA), has trained 125 wives of officers and airmen in different skills in agriculture from its Skills Acquisition and Vocational Training Programme.
The President of NAFOWA, Dr Rakiya Abubakar, during the graduation of the beneficiaries on Tuesday, said the skills acquired included food processing, branding, packaging and pastry.
Abubakar said that NAFOWA decided to embark on a more relatable and advanced vocation to make the beneficiaries keep up with the trend of development.
She said that this was with a view to liberate them and enable them competing favorably with entrepreneurs in the contemporary global space.
According to her, it is on this premise that NAFOWA contracted renowned and certified trainers and experts to engage and educate them in food processing, branding, packaging and pastry.
She added it was in furtherance to the first ladies vision of self sustenance and healthy living through agriculture and urban farming.
”During the course of this training, when I went around, I saw participants with so much enthusiasm to learn, with so much willingness to do things differently.
”I am particularly elated seeing that all the planning, interactions and execution have come together to bring about empowerment of 125 graduates of skill acquisition programme.
”A dream of empowering hands that nurture the hearts that are constant in prayer and the backbone of the gallant men of valor of the NAF”, she said.
The NAFOWA president said the graduation was also to commemorate her one year in office, urging the beneficiaries to keep improving on the knowledge garnered and make their families, NAFOWA, and the nation proud.
She said the event also featured the unveiling of the special edition of the Mothers’ Voice Magazine that would serve as a platform of expressiveness for air force officers’ wives.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, congratulated the beneficiaries of the skill acquisition program for their dedication, hard work, perseverance.
Abubakar was represented by the Chief of Aircraft Engineering, AVM Pius Oahimire.
The CAS said that the skills acquired were not just means to livelihood, but tools that would empower them to support their families and contribute toward the socio economic development of the nation.
He enjoined them to take advantage of the opportunities and skills they had acquired to go all out to be the best, embrace creativity and innovation to enable their products stand out as they faced the challenges in their areas of expertise.
He commended the NAFOWA President for her commitment to adding value to the lives of the spouses, widows and wards of NAF personnel.
According to him, this guesture aligns with the motto of NAFOWA, which is service to humanity and example of how to empower individuals through education and training while fostering economic independence and self sufficiency.
”It is through programmes such as this that we as a nation can ensure our communities remain resilient, innovative and forward looking to enable us confront our various economic challenges.
”It is also gratifying to see the ease with which the NAFOWA leadership mobilises and organises our women for their skills acquisition programs.
”This no doubt aligns with a recent Harvard Business School review which noted that there is power in sisterhood and that women who support other women and surround themselves with women who inspire them are more likely to be successful in business,” he said.
The Air Staff Chief also commended the association on the unveiling of the 2044 special edition of the Mother’s Voice magazine.
According to him, the magazine has over the years, served as a veritable tool for sharing stories, knowledge and experiences that actually resonate with our women folk as well as the less privileged in our community.
He announced the donation of two brand new vehicles comprising a 29 seater coastal bus and 18 seater Toyota hiace bus to ease mobility challenges and enable NAFOWA to perform more.
Mrs Susan Ogohi, Chairperson, 2024 Skills Acquisition Programme of NAFOWA, thanked the CAS for his unwavering support to the association to be able to deliver the programme.
She also thanked the NAFOWA president for her visionary leadership towards empowering NAF women to enhance their economic and entrepreneural potential.