The Naval Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA) has placed family resilience, emotional wellness and mental stability at the centre of activities commemorating the Nigerian Navy’s 70th Anniversary, unveiling a new initiative aimed at strengthening military families across the country.
The association hosted the maiden edition of its SHINE Seminar in Lagos on Wednesday, drawing naval officers’ wives, mental health experts, etiquette professionals and senior stakeholders to a gathering focused on personal growth and emotional balance.
Held at the Naval Dockyard Limited Conference Hall, the seminar spotlighted the growing importance of mental wellness in sustaining operational effectiveness within the armed forces.
The programme was themed SHINE, representing Self Control, Humility, Integrity, Inner Balance, Nurturing Relationships and Emotional Stability.
Speaking at the event, the National President of NOWA, Mrs. Aisha Idi Abbas, described the initiative as a strategic platform designed to empower military families with the emotional strength required to cope with the realities of naval life.
She said naval personnel and their spouses constantly confront the pressures of deployments, operational demands and prolonged separations, making emotional resilience and stable family structures more important than ever.
According to her, strong homes remain the foundation upon which successful military service is built, stressing that emotionally secure families contribute significantly to the effectiveness and focus of officers in active service.
Mrs. Abbas explained that the SHINE Seminar was conceived to provide practical guidance on mental wellness, interpersonal relationships, emotional intelligence and responsible conduct within military communities.
She further commended the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, for his unwavering support for NOWA programmes and family centred initiatives within the Nigerian Navy.
The NOWA president also expressed appreciation to resource persons, invited guests and stakeholders whose contributions ensured the success of the landmark seminar.
Delivering her goodwill message, the First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, congratulated the leadership and members of NOWA for sustaining impactful family and social development initiatives over the years.
She praised the Nigerian Navy for its consistent role in protecting Nigeria’s maritime domain and safeguarding national security interests.
Dr. Sanwo Olu noted that the contributions of the Navy extend beyond military operations to community development, youth engagement and national unity.
She particularly applauded NOWA’s outreach programmes in Lagos schools, which she said have continued to expose young Nigerians to naval career opportunities while promoting security awareness among students.
The Lagos First Lady described the seminar theme as timely and highly relevant in a society increasingly confronted with emotional stress, mental health challenges and social pressures.
According to her, conversations around mental wellness must remain continuous and intentional because emotional well being directly impacts family stability, productivity and national development.
She urged participants to embrace unity, understanding and mutual support, stressing that emotionally balanced families help service personnel remain disciplined, focused and effective in carrying out their responsibilities.
Experts at the seminar delivered presentations on stress management, healthy relationships, emotional resilience, positive lifestyle habits and personal etiquette, offering practical coping strategies for military families.
The event underscored NOWA’s broader commitment to strengthening the social and emotional wellbeing of naval families, reinforcing the belief that the strength of the Nigerian Navy is closely tied to the stability of the families standing behind those in uniform.