In what has been termed laudable transformational strides, the Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association, NAFOWA, under the leadership of its president, Arch Mrs. Rakiya Abubakar, has been rendering service to humanity. Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that with its five decades of legacy, the association has been empowering members, dependents of serving personnel, as well as the less privileged in their respective host
communities
They might not be dressed in the uniform of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel or protect the aerial territorial integrity of the nation, but the Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA), are every bit as important as their men, because they are the engine room that drives the service.
When the non-governmental organisation was set up over five decades ago, the core objective was to render service to humanity. This objective has been taken a notch higher by the present administration of Arch. Mrs. Rakiya Abubakar, wife of the current Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar.
From a small group that began in 1967, these women have become stronger and much more formidable and have grown to become pillars of their communities by touching and empowering the lives of their members, widows, orphans and indigents in their respective communities.
Essentially, NAFOWA was established to promote interaction and welfare programs for the poor, less privileged and vulnerable in the society.
In line with its motto, ‘Service to Humanity’, NAFOWA has over the years, empowered women, widows, youths, and the under-privileged through its humanitarian and empowerment activities which cuts across skills acquisition programs, barracks youth empowerment schemes, medical and educational outreaches among others.
The New Face of NAFOWA
Since its inception in 1967, NAFOWA has had 19 National Presidents with the incumbent, Mrs. Rakiya Abubakar as the 20th President
As the new face of NAFOWA, Architect (Mrs) Rakiya Abubakar assumed
office in June 2023 and since then, her focus has been to comprehensively impact the lives of personnel dependents and the less privileged while caring for widows of deceased military personnel through initiatives in education, health, skill acquisition and vocational trainings.
Given her commitment to providing effective and efficient leadership, Mrs. Abubakar clearly understands the daunting task before her, which she faced headlong with zeal and determination.
But beyond this, she effected 100 per cent increment of NAFOWA supervisors allowance to cushion effect of subsidy
removal; successfully facilitated the renewed hope initiative grant
of N250,000 each to 187 Nigerian Air Force widows and orphans;
purchased and installed 65KVA Generator at NAFOWA
event centre Ikeja, as well as entered a successful partnership with Beautiful Gate Handicapped People Jos, to produce 600 tricycle wheelchairs for
distribution to people living with disabilities in the six geopolitical zones.
Succor for the Disabled, Less Privileged
Recently, as part of her efforts at alleviating the challenges faced by vulnerable communities
and in tandem with the association’s objective. Mrs Abubakar showcased
unparalleled compassion and empathy as NAFOWA under her watch organised a humanitarian outreach program aimed at supporting individuals with disabilities as well as the less privileged in Kano.
The event which took place at the Nigerian Air Force Base Kano witnessed
the distribution of 105 tricycle wheelchairs, 25kg bags of rice, 5kg of beans, five litres of groundnut oil and condiments to 100 beneficiaries from Kano State.
While presenting the items, Mrs Abubakar expressed her deep sense of
gratitude and fulfillment at being able to organise such a meaningful event.
She also stated that NAFOWA believes in the power of unity and compassion and will therefore continue to empower the less privileged through its humanitarian activities.
According to her, the outreach program
was aimed at creating an environment of inclusivity and support for
individuals with disabilities in Kano while hoping that the donations will
bring some relief and a renewed sense of hope to those facing unique
challenges.
NAFOWA Special Needs School
Widely known for her calm demeanor and empathy for the less privileged,
Mrs Abubakar also established the NAFOWA Special Needs School in
Abuja with the aim of ensuring children with disability enjoy the same and
equal privileges and opportunities other children enjoy.
Improving Quality of NAFOWA Schools
With her track records of achievements as a university lecturer, Mrs.
Abubakar’s desire to reshape the general outlook of all NAFOWA schools
and improve the quality of education cannot be overemphasised.
One of the first steps she took was touring some NAFOWA Schools across the country to get first-hand knowledge of its current status. Her aim was to ensure that all NAFOWA Schools are repositioned to compete favorably
with other private and public schools in Nigeria and beyond.
She also facilitated the purchase and installation of 20 industrial sewing and weaving machines at NAFOWA tailoring workshop for continuous production of
school uniforms and ensured the successful conduct of refresher training on classroom management for all teaching staff of NAFOWA schools.
She went further to equip and
grant approval for the commencement of Primary 4 arms at NAFOWA
Little Angels School Asokoro Abuja and completed renovation of structure
with modern fittings of NAFOWA Little Angels School Bill Clinton Drive,
Abuja as well as complete renovation of admin block of NAFOWA vocational centre Ikeja with infrastructural maintenance and repair at NAFOWA Little Angels School, Maiduguri.
Fighting Cancer the NAFOWA Way
It could be recalled that, In commemoration of the 2023 Breast World Cancer Awareness Month held in October 2023, NAFOWA under the
leadership of Mrs. Abubakar joined other well-meaning
individuals, corporate and government entities worldwide to beam attention
and raise awareness about the ravaging disease.
To commemorate this year’s awareness month, the association organised a one-day health walk, lecture and free cancer screening exercise in Abuja early in October 2023.
Speaking at the lecture with the theme, “Routine Checkup, a Panacea for
Early Detection, Mrs Abubakar disclosed that in 2020 alone, available
statistics by the World Health Organisation (WHO) revealed that about
78,899 cancer-related deaths were recorded in Nigeria while women often
bear the brunt as breast and cervical cancers account for over 40 per cent
of all cancer-related deaths.
These statistics were, according to her,
disturbing hence the need to pay greater attention and create awareness
on the benefits of early detection, which is critical to the survivability of
cancer patients.
The NAFOWA President also announced the approval of free cancer screening for wives of Air Force personnel and other Services on October 9, 2023 as well as 50 per cent discount for others from October 10 to 17, 2023 at the NAFOWA Cancer Screening Centre situated at
NAF Base Abuja.
According to the Director of Public Relations Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, NAFOWA remains at the forefront of advocating for the well-being of women, youths and children.
Aside its numerous poverty alleviation and empowerment schemes, it has, since 2008, established the NAFOWA Cancer Screening Centre which has continued to play a major role in the
early detection of breast cancer among women, he divulged.
About Mrs. Rakiya Abubakar
Born in Kano State, Mrs. Abubakar is a native of Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State. She attended Unique Nursery and Primary School Kaduna and Federal Government College Bauchi State.
She holds BSc and MSc
Degrees in Architecture both from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University
Zaria. She did her National Youth Service in Benin City, Edo State in 2008
and is currently a Ph.D. student in University of Salford, Manchester,
England.
Mrs Abubakar has attended several conferences both in and out of the
country and has published several articles and journals. She is married to
Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar and the union is blessed with children.
Although her hobbies include reading and travelling, the NAFOWA’s National President’s top priority is to bridge the gap and reduce women dependency on the society.
