Defence
THE Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, has commended the Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA) for its giant stride in the empowerment of women and youths in the barracks.
Irabor, who was represented by the Chief of Defence Civil Military Relations, Rear Adm. Adeseye Ayobanjo, said this at the graduation of batches 12 and 13 of DEPOWA Skills Acquisition Centre, on Monday in Abuja.
He that the graduation of 126 trainees on different skills who were empowered with stater packs, was one of the model initiatives of DEPOWA to develop families of service personnel.
Irabor said the Defence Headquarters had always supported the initiatives of DEPOWA, including the establishment of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Centre (PTSD) to cater for personnel.
He said that DEPOWA had also contributed to several humanitarian activities, such as distribution of food and medical items to widows of personnel killed in various security operations.
“On behalf of the officers and men of the armed forces, I truly appreciate these contributions and we will always look forward to every opportunity to support and collaborate with the poor to ensure that the global initiatives are a reality.
“This skill acquisition programme of DEPOWA has continuously added value to our barracks community having graduated 11 batches of students before now and such have been productive through the various skills they acquired.
“I am happy that we have an example of the immediate past graduates of the programme, and I wish you well.
“Expectedly, DEPOWA’s effort has contributed to reducing unemployment among the youths and women in our barracks and thereby enhancing national security and development.”
Irabor advised the beneficiaries to justify the resources spen to train and empower them.
“I encourage you not to give these starter packs away for any reason, but to put them to effective use; to sell them will be tantamount to selling your future.
“I look forward to seeing some of you being employers of labour in the near future, following the skills you have acquired in this center,” he added.
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Adm. Awwal Gambo, also hailed DEPOWA for its effort to empower women to be more productive and self reliant, by creating opportunities towards the attainment of sustainable livelihood.
Gambo said the occasion provided the best avenue to reflect on critical issues of unemployment in the country.
According to him, impact of unemployment is most prevalent among youths with majority of unemployed youths being females.
He said unemployment to an extent, breeds insecurity including prostitution and trafficking, among other vices.
“Undeniably, one of the facts or ways to ameliorate this challenge is to invest in entrepreneurship programmes that will maximize potentials through skills acquisition for self reliance, as we are witnessing here today.
“It is on this note that I commend the proactive disposition and doggedness of the DEPOWA toward sustaining this remarkable employment initiative for self dependence and to make Nigerians less reliant on charity and aid.
“The association has brought hope to many individuals, particularly our graduates of today and like I said, there is light despite the darkness.
“With the successful training in different skills in this centre, I am optimistic that you are all empowered to chart a course with confidence, zeal and opportunity to succeed,” he said.
The CNS challenged the beneficiaries to put the skills they had acquired to proper use, adding that with determination, diligence as well as honesty the future would be bright.
He also advised the association to monitor the progress of all graduates of the centre so as to make sure that they cherished and put to good use the starter kits given to them.
He pledged the continuous support of the Nigerian Navy for the humanitarian activities of the women associations of all the services, to maike more mpart on lives in the barracks. (NAN)
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Tags: Gen. Lucky Irabor Rear Adm. Adeseye Ayobanjo Vice Adm. Awwal Gambo
