Army Chief’s Wife Inaugurates Nursery/Primary School in Ogun

The Wife of the Chief of Army Staff and President, Nigeria Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), Mrs. Salamatu Yahaya, has inaugurated the NAOWA Creche, Nursery and Primary School at Sappers’ Barracks in Ilese Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

Yahaya, who said that the project would contribute greatly to the educational upbringing of their children, also inaugurated the secretariat of NAOWA at the barracks.

She said: “It is worth mentioning that this newly built crèche, nursery and primary school will provide quality and affordable education to complement the existing educational structures in the barrack and neighbouring communities.

“The school will also afford our members, as well as other qualified individuals, job opportunities thus improving on the socio-economic wellbeing of beneficiaries.”

The wife of the chief of army staff also commended the NAOWA Coordinator, Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers, Mrs. Adebukola Kadiri, members of NAOWA and all those who contributed to the successful completion of the project.

She urged them to ensure proper maintenance and functioning of the facilities.

Yahaya also commended the Commander, Corps of Engineers, Major General K.O. Kadiri, for his ceaseless efforts towards the actualisation of the projects and other activities of NAOWA.

 She also expressed appreciation to the Commander 42 Engineer Brigade, Brigadier General A.G. Audu, and the Commanding Officer 12 Field Engineer Regiment, Lt. Col. Philip Adewunmi, and other unit commanders, officers, soldiers and civilian staff of Sappers’ Barracks for their support to the success of the projects.

Adebukola said in her welcome address that “the zeal to achieve the aim of NAOWA, which is a non-profitable, non- governmental organisation with the objective of assisting vulnerable and needy and raising the standard of education in the barracks,  prompted the conception of this project.”

She also noted that the project was in line with the NAOWA national president’s vision of “sustaining legacies and upholding the tenets of unity and service,” adding that the ground breaking ceremony of the school and secretariat was done on April 6 with a completion date of 15 weeks.

“Today, the project has been completed, fully furnished and ready for academic session. The school project comprises the crèche’s classroom, nursery classroom and three classrooms for the primary school section as well as offices,” she said, adding, “though the road to this success was turbulent but we were able to weather the storm.”

According to her, the project would provide quality foundational education for children and wards of personnel serving in the barracks and its environs as well as interested civilians around the barracks.

She added that the NAOWA’s secretariat was also constructed to provide enabling environment for its administration

In her votes of thanks, Area Representative and wife of the Commanding Officer, Mrs. Titilayo Adewunmi, thanked the wife of the army chief of staff for the items and equipment donated for the smooth running of the school and assured her that “the entire members of NAOWA Sappers Barracks Ilese will effectively utilise these opportunities to impact positively on the educational wellbeing of our children.”

Titilayo further assured the NAOWA’s president of their continued commitment and determination in ensuring that her vision was achieved and sustained in Sappers’ barracks Ilese.

She expressed her appreciation to the Commander Corps of Engineers, Major General Kadiri, his wife and Coordinator Headquarters Nigeria Army Engineers, Mrs. Kadiri, for their love and support to Sappers Barrack Ilese, and also thanked the General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Major General U.T. Musa.

The ceremony, which had beautiful performances by children and wives of soldiers, was attended by senior military officers, representative of governor of Ogun State and Special Assistant on Security, AIG. Olusola Subair (rtd), and the Elese of Ilese, Oba Oluremi Obayomi, among others.