CSR: NOWA empowers widows, orphans

Chinazor Megbolu |

In a bid towards giving back to the society, the Naval Officers Wives Association (NOWA) has equipped widows and orphans.

The event, which took place in Lagos few days saw not less than twenty-five widows and orphans going home with different kinds of equipment and gift items that would make them become self-reliant and live a useful life.

Speaking during the event, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ette Ibas, who was represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Oladele Daji, hailed NOWA for the laudable gesture and also urged the association to reach out to philanthropists in order to support its skill acquisition and empowerment programme.

According to him, “I want to enjoin NOWA to keep up the wonderful work as well as reach out to well-to-do and well-meaning individuals and organisations to support this laudable programme.

“Through that, it will be sustained accordingly.’’

He noted the event was very apt as most individuals are aware that so many Nigerians are living in abject poverty.

“Widows, as well as orphans, make a great percentage of this figure, we know the challenges that widows face in the society as well as orphans in losing their loved ones at any age”.

“And this has a severe impact on their well-being and psychology. This event, I believe will go a long way to reassure the widows and orphans that NOWA cares for them,” he said.

He also urged the beneficiaries to judiciously make use of whatever they got from the empowerment programme.

Earlier, the NOWA President, Mrs Theresa Ibas noted that the association would relentlessly help the widows and orphans in the society.

The President, NOWA, Mrs Theresa Ibas while handing over the gifts to them said the occasion titled: ‘Navigating the storm, sailing forward’ was part of the efforts by the association to make life easier for widows and orphans.

The items donated by NOWA include; sewing machines, gas cookers, bags of rice, groundnut oil and fabrics amongst others.