The Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) has expanded access to early childhood education and welfare facilities for military families with the inauguration of a crèche, nursery school and other community projects at two military formations in Abuja.
The projects, commissioned by the President of NAOWA, Dr. Safiyya Hassan Shaibu, are located at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Barracks and Mogadishu Cantonment, and form part of the association’s efforts to improve living standards for personnel and their families.
Speaking during the inauguration, Dr. Shaibu said the intervention reflects NAOWA’s commitment to promoting education, family welfare and economic empowerment within military communities.
She noted that the newly established crèche and nursery school would provide children of serving personnel with access to quality early childhood education in a secure and child-friendly environment, while other facilities would improve the overall quality of life within the barracks.
The projects include market stalls to support small-scale businesses, a children’s playground, renovated restroom facilities and a perimeter fence aimed at enhancing sanitation, security and recreation.
Dr. Shaibu commended the Coordinator of the NAOWA Army Headquarters Garrison Chapter, Mrs. Dorathy Maxwell Dangana, for leading the execution of the projects, and acknowledged the support of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, as well as the Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison, Major General Maxwell Dangana.
She urged beneficiaries to maintain the facilities and encouraged other NAOWA chapters across the country to initiate similar projects that would positively impact military families and surrounding communities.
Mrs. Dangana described the commissioning as another milestone in the association’s welfare drive, explaining that the newly completed school was designed to accommodate about 70 children.
According to her, the facility comprises a crèche, playgroup, pre-nursery and nursery sections, a sick bay, storage areas, a proposed inverter room and a fully equipped playground.
She added that the complementary projects executed at Army Day Secondary School, Mogadishu Cantonment, would improve safety, sanitation and the learning environment while also creating opportunities for economic activities through the newly constructed market stalls.
Project Manager, Mr. Ayodele Salako, disclosed that construction began in February and was completed within schedule and budget. He said the facility had undergone the necessary safety and quality assessments before being handed over for use.
The inauguration featured the official unveiling of the projects, inspection of the facilities, ribbon-cutting, presentation of souvenirs and group photographs.
