Following reported lack of potable water and transportation issues, the Nigerian Army Officer Wives Association (NAOWA), Army Headquarters (AHQ) Garrison Chapter, Wednesday, commissioned solar-powered boreholes and a 32-seater bus for officers at the Mogadishu Cantonment of the Nigerian Army in the Federal Capital Territory.
Speaking during the event, the NAOWA AHQ Garrison Coordinator, Mrs Asma’u Garba, said that the Association was moved into action in emulation of the efforts of the President of NAOWA, Salamatu Yahaya, in ameliorating the plight of Army Officers and their families, especially in the FCT.
She said: “It gives me a great pleasure to stand before you today to welcome the Special Guest of Honour our amiable National President Mrs Salamatu Yahaya and all invited guests to the commissioning of a 32-seater bus and 5 boreholes. The boreholes are located at the Army Children School, DEPOWA Day care Nursery and Primary School, Block 2 and 16 and Mogadishu cantonment Mosque. The projects are some of the Chapter’s contributions to its members and development of our immediate community.
“These projects are in line with the NAOWA National President’s developmental goals and vision of sustaining legacies and upholding the tenant of unity and service.
“It would not have been possible for us to embark on such projects if not for your encouragement ma and the support of my darling husband the Commander Army Headquarters Garrison.
“If you may recall during our visit after coming on board in May 2022, we enumerated projects and activities we intend to carry out for this Chapter. You listened to us and made some critical points which shaped our journey to better impact on the lives of women and children in the barracks and the society in general.
“You advised that we should carry Nigerian Army Soldiers’ Wives Association along in whatever we do and focus on charity programmes. You did not stop there you also mentioned charity begins at home as such we should give attention to the welfare of our women.
“Today we are happy to inform you that some of our goals have been realized as we are delivering on our mandate through the commissioning of a 32-seater bus and 5 boreholes here in Mogadishu Cantonment.
“On this note Ma, I welcome you and all our guests to Mogadishu Cantonment. We are very grateful that you find time out of your hectic schedule to be with us as we commission our first project.”
Speaking earlier, President of NAOWA, Salamatu Yahaya, said that the construction of additional borehole within the barracks, to compliment other sources of water supply, shows the commitment of the Garrison Chapter coordinator to improve the standard in the barracks, adding that “it is also a mark that she is in tune with my vision of sustaining legacies and upholding the tenets of unity and service”.
She said: “It is my pleasure to be part of the commissioning ceremony of the Solar Powered Borehole constructed by the NAOWA AHQ Garrison Chapter and the 32 seater utility bus, for the use of NAOWA AHQ Garrison Chapter. The construction of this additional borehole within the barracks, to compliment other sources of water supply clearly shows the commitment of the Chairperson NAOWA AHQ Garrison Chapter to improve the standard in the barrack. It is also a mark that she is in tune with my vision of “sustaining legacies and upholding the tenets of unity and service”.
“This borehole would help ease the challenge of accessibility to water considering that it is solar powered and would be running at all time. The 32 seater bus would also help to ease movement of NAOWA members for activities. I enjoin the beneficiaries to effectively maintain the solar powered borehole for it to serve its intended purpose, even as I congratulate the NAOWA AHQ Garrison Chapter for this great achievement.”