Naval Officers’ Wives Association: Over 21 Students Graduate From Skills Acquisition Centre In Oghara

No fewer than 21 students have graduated from the maiden edition of the Naval Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA), Skills Acquisition Centre, Oghara chapter.

The graduation ceremony was held on Thursday at the barracks of the Nigerian Navy Logistics Command, Oghara, Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta.

In her remark, Hajiya Nana Gambo,
the special guest of honour and National President of NOWA, said that the cardinal objective of the Association was to maximise the potentials of the people through entrepreneurial skills.

The NOWA president who was represented by Mrs Juwaira Garuba noted that investment in vocational skills was vital to addressing the unemployment rates and it’s attendant consequences in the society.

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While underscoring the importance of skills acquisition, Gambo said that vocational training could not be wished away particularly at a time that unemployment was becoming a global issue.

The wife of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo observed that the impact of unemployment was prevalent among youths particularly the female folks.

“I will like to thank Almighty Allah for making this day a reality as NOWA strive to empower women to be more productive and self-reliant through creation of income-earning opportunities for attainment of sustainable livelihood.

“No doubt, the prevalence of unemployment to an extent breeds insecurity including trafficking among other vices.

“Undeniably, one of the ways to ameliorate this challenge is to invest in entrepreneurship programmes that will maximise potentials through skills acquisition for self-reliance,” she said.

Gambo said that the Association would continue to strive in ensuring the empowerment of youths, orphans and widows within its resources for self-reliance and sustenance.

She thanked the NOWA Zonal Coordinator, Oghara chapter, Mrs Rhoda Olotu, the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Logistics Command, Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Olotu for ensuring the seamless running of the Skills Acquisition Centre.

The NOWA leader also thanked the
graduands as well as the facilitators and Instructors for working assiduously towards achieving the Association’s objectives.

Earlier, in her address of welcome,
Mrs Olotu, the NOWA Zonal Coordinator, Oghara chapter and wife of Rear Adm. Olotu said that the Skills Acquisition Centre was established in 2021.

She added that the Centre had
recorded remarkable progress in terms of staffing, equipment and training programmes.

The zonal coordinator attributed the successes to the commitment to her predecessor, Mrs Loveleen Lassa, wife of the immediate past FOC of the Command, Rear Admiral
Siliranda Lassa.

“The 21 graduands have undergone intensive skills acquisition within the past few months. The training commenced with the 21 students having an even spread across the skills provided by the Centre.

“Some of the programmes include Fashion designing, Catering services amongst others. Priorities and sponsorships were given to applicants within Oghara being the host community.

“This is to encourage more youths within our immediate environment to participate in the programmes provided by the Centre and to became seasoned entrepreneurs
to support their livelihoods,” she said

Olotu said that the programme was now opened to all Nigerians adding that the skills acquired in the Centre would help equip and provide a viable advantage to the students in the nation’s competitive economy.

She thanked the NOWA President, immediate past Zonal Coordinator, Mrs Lassa, members of the NOWA, the CSOs, Ratings and others who have contributed in no small measures to the success of the programme.

One of the graduands, Mrs Hassan Maryam who learnt fashion designing thanked the NOWA and the Nigerian Navy for the privilege to learn skills.

Maryam who is also a lawyer said that she would combined both professions to better her life and those around her.

Highlights of the ceremony was the presentation of certificates to the graduating students as well as awards to some deserving graduands.

In attendance were: representatives from the academia, Police, Navy, traditional rulers from Oghara Kingdom and among others.