NAFOWA PRESIDENT JOINS DEPOWA LAUNCH, DEEPENS NAF COMMITMENT TO FAMILY WELLNESS

NAFOWA PRESIDENT JOINS DEPOWA LAUNCH, DEEPENS NAF COMMITMENT TO FAMILY WELLNESS

The President, Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA), Mrs Ngozi Aneke, has joined the President of the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs Mernan Femi Oluyede, and other senior military and police officers at the official launch of the DEPOWA Families’ Wellness Initiative and commissioning of its Kaduna Pilot Centre. Held on 25 September 2026 at the Nigerian Army Wellness Centre, 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna, the initiative seeks to strengthen mental health support, family resilience and overall wellbeing among military and police personnel and their families.

Representing the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke DFS, the Chief of Staff, Headquarters Air Training Command, Air Vice Marshal FO Ankeli, commended DEPOWA for the initiative, describing it as a proactive intervention to address the emotional and psychological challenges associated with military and police service. He noted that prolonged deployments, relocations, separation and other demands of service can affect personnel and their families, stressing that family support remains essential to sustaining personnel welfare, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.

In her welcome address, Mrs Oluyede said the initiative was designed to strengthen military and police families through healthcare, psychosocial support and strategic partnerships. She explained that the Kaduna Pilot Centre would provide wellness education, confidential support, counselling, peer support and referral pathways, while complementing existing medical services. She also disclosed plans to collaborate with NAOWA, NAFOWA, NOWA and POWA to establish similar centres in other locations. The event featured presentations on mental wellness, an overview of the pilot project and a guided tour of the facility, with the commissioning performed by the Special Guest of Honour, represented by the Chief of Defence Simulation Centre, Major General AA Aboaba, alongside representatives of the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police and other senior military and police officers.

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