As they build classrooms, empower 126 widows, orphans

By Evelyn Usman

THE auditorium of Quorra, at the Naval Training Command, Apapa , Lagos was a beehive of activities last Wednesday, as women later discovered to be widows of fallen naval personnel thronged to the venue.

They were of different sizes, shapes, complexions and tribes, with some of them still wearing long faces which depict the trauma caused by the loss of a bread winner.

Silent anguish

Amidst the pang of silent anguish, the gathering offered the widows an opportunity of meeting with their counterparts from other states of the federation who they had at one time or the other, shared same barracks with while their husbands were alive.

They recounted the good old days as well as their respective ordeals and the gargantuan responsibilities the demise of their husbands has saddled them with .

FOC NAVTRAC, Rear Admiral Adeniyi Osinowo presenting cash to a widow, Mrs Rose Daramola and her son, Victor Daramola at the ‘DAY OUT WITH WIDOWS AND ORPHANS

More pathetic was the ordeal of some of them whose husbands were killed in the ongoing onslaught against insurgency in the North East. One of them was heard saying: “ My sister, it has not been easy o.”

The gathering was the occasion of donation of cash to widows and orphans of naval personnel who died during active service by wife of the Chief of Naval Staff and President , Naval Officers Wives Association, NOWA, Mrs Lami Ohiama Jubrin. The beneficiaries also included orphans of the fallen heroes. They were 126 in number.

Then all of a sudden, the entrance door was flung open, signifying the arrival of the long awaited eminent personality of the day; Jubrin, accompanied by the outgoing Flag Officer Commanding the Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Samuel Alade and some senior naval officers of the command.

Addressing the widows, Jubrin noted that the financial gesture was in fulfilment of the promise she made to her predecessor, Mrs Vivian Ezeoba, who initiated the plan last year, where over 100 widows and orphans benefited.

She explained that the gesture was also a demonstration of the association’s concern for the welfare of the widows, noting that it would go a long way to ameliorate their financial plights if used wisely.

She hinted that : “ This year we have done a random selection cutting across all zones. We hope that it will boost existing businesses and also that the children of these fallen heroes will be able to get quality education so that they will be greater than us tomorrow. We are certain that amongst these children will grow up to be NOWA national president, first lady of the nation, Chief of Naval Staff and president , in future”

However, on her part, an executive of NOWA, Mrs Olajumoke Oyagha , urged the widows to brace up and look unto God for survival rather than depending on men. She also enjoined them to find something doing, rather than staying idle.

Also addressing the widows, wife of a deceased senior naval Officer, Mrs Nkiru Azuibuike, warned women whose husbands are still alive and serving never to allow themselves to be carried away by the euphoria of the present state by idling away.

Recalling how she was saddled with the responsibility of catering for her four children alone, after the demise of her husband twelve years ago, she stated: “ In my case my husband did not allow me to work even though I have a Bachelor degree in Biochemistry. I learnt the hard way when he died . But I was determined to pull through and I started something doing. Today , three of my children are graduates while the youngest is still in the university. You can learn how to make beads, sew or even sell puff-puff. Do not be ashamed to start small”, she stated.

Commission classrooms at Navy Town, Okokomaiko

Next day, the NOWA president, proceeded to NOWA Secondary school at Navy Town and NOWA Day Care , Nursery and Primary school at Okokomaiko area of Lagos, where blocks of class rooms and libraries built by the association, were commissioned.

Reiterating the association’s commitment to quality education, Jubrin explained that the decision to build more classrooms was borne out of the need to decongest the existing ones, as well as to create enough space for new intakes.

In his remark, the outgoing FOC, Western Naval command, Rear Admiral  Samuel Alade commended efforts of the association at the speed with which the classrooms were completed. As a way of demonstrating the command’s support for the association, Alade and heads of units under his purview made cash donation to the association.