The Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), 9 Brigade Zone, held its 11th Graduation Ceremony and Prize Giving Day for the NAOWA Crèche, Nursery, and Primary School in grand style on Friday, July 25, 2025, at the Command Day Secondary School hall, T.A. Lagbaja Cantonment, Ikeja, Lagos.
The ceremony, which showcased academic excellence, creativity, and discipline among the pupils, drew dignitaries from various military and civilian institutions, as well as enthusiastic parents and guardians.
Delivering her address virtually, the Zonal Coordinator of NAOWA 9 Brigade Zone, Mrs. Olubukola Olayinka Oyekola, expressed deep appreciation to the President of NAOWA, Mrs. Mernan Femi Oluyede, for providing a platform for quality and affordable education to the families of military personnel and the wider Ikeja community. She lauded the efforts of parents, teachers, and staff for nurturing the pupils into “great minds” prepared for the future.
“Our pupils have learned not just from books but from life — the strength of friendship, the power of unity, the courage to do right, and the spirit of love and service,” she said, encouraging the graduands to hold on to the values learned and embrace the next phase of life with boldness and compassion.
The Special Guest of Honour, Dr. Sulaimon Ogunmuyiwa, Director of Education and Special Programmes at the Lagos State Ministry of Education, described the graduation as a historic and highly entertaining event. He praised the school’s administration for its excellence and lauded the pupils’ performances, particularly the ballet dancers, as evidence of proper nurturing and immense potential.
Prominent guests at the ceremony included Commodore P.P. Nimyel, Commander NNS BEECROFT; Air Commodore E. Akintunde of the Nigerian Air Force; Mr. Lekan Bakare-Oki, GM of LASTMA; Dr. Johannes Flosbach, CEO of CONMART Nigeria Ltd; and Mr. Emmanuel Ojibo, CEO of Achieving Greatness Ltd. The event also had representatives from key security agencies and education directorates across Lagos.
In his goodwill remarks, Brigadier General Olawale Matthew Oyekola, Commander 9 Brigade, thanked the Special Guest and other dignitaries for their presence and support. He commended the school’s staff for embracing reforms and presented personal awards to outstanding pupils.
The colorful ceremony featured cultural dances, drama, news broadcasts, runway shows, talk shows, and ballet performances. It culminated with the presentation of certificates to graduands and a private party held at CALF House, T.A. Lagbaja Cantonment.
The event was marked by an outpouring of appreciation from individuals and corporate bodies who donated gifts to honor the teachers’ efforts and the students’ achievements.