The Chairperson of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), 81 Division Chapter, Mrs. Zainab Aliyu Farouk Mijinyawa, visited the Headquarters 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Lagos, where she was warmly received by the Commander of the Brigade, Brigadier General Olawale Mathew Oyekola, and members of the NAOWA and NASWA (Nigerian Army Soldiers’ Wives Association) 9 Brigade Zone. The familiarization visit, which also included a tour of the NAOWA Schools and the 9 Brigade Medical Center, was part of her efforts to connect with formations within the 81 Division’s jurisdiction.

In her remarks, Mrs. Mijinyawa expressed her gratitude to Brigadier General Oyekola for the warm welcome and commended the Commander’s dedication to the welfare of women and children within the Cantonment. She highlighted the importance of fostering relationships within the division and expressed her commitment to enhancing the well-being of NAOWA members and their families.

A key highlight of the visit was Mrs. Mijinyawa’s participation in a Widows’ Empowerment Programme organized by the Zonal Coordinator of NAOWA 9 Brigade, Mrs. Olubukola Olayinka Oyekola. The event, held in collaboration with honorary members of the 9 Brigade Officers’ Mess, focused on supporting widows in the Cantonment. Palliatives, including food items such as noodles, rice, vegetable oils, and bread, were distributed to the beneficiaries, while tuition fees for 17 children of the widows attending Command Day Secondary School were also covered for three terms.

This initiative, aimed at alleviating the economic challenges faced by widows within the Cantonment, demonstrated NAOWA’s commitment to providing assistance to vulnerable families, further strengthening the community spirit within the Brigade.

The event concluded with a lunch at the 9 Brigade Officers’ Mess, hosted by Mrs. Olubukola Olayinka Oyekola, and attended by officers of the Brigade and honorary members of the Officers’ Mess in honor of the visiting Chairperson. The visit was capped off with the presentation of souvenirs to Mrs. Mijinyawa and her entourage by Brigadier General Oyekola and Mrs. Oyekola, followed by group photographs to commemorate the occasion.