The President, Defence and Police Officers Wives Association, Mrs Oghogho Lilian Gwabim Musa has tasked 102 new graduands of the DEPOWA Sills Aquisition Centre, Abuja, to display boldness, bravery, discipline and continue to improve upon the crafts/knowledge acquired during their training period.
Speaking at the combined graduation ceremony of Batches 14, 15 and 16 of 2023 Trainees of the DEPOWA Skills Acquisition Centre, Mrs Musa who is also the wife of the Chief of Defence Staff, noted that “Batches 14, 15 and 16 of 2023 trainees who are graduating today were nominated from the various sister-Associations under DEPOWA”.
She said, “The DEPOWA Skills Acquisition Centre, after five months of rigorous and painstaking training, is graduating a total of 102 trainees, in line with my vision of ‘Seeing Women and Girls Become Productive and Contributors to Family and Society Driven by Deep Sense of Values and Hard-working Spirit”.
“The trainees were inaugurated on the 9th October 2023 and training commenced thereafter with 106 beneficiaries comprising of 84 women and 22 men.
“However, owing to the high premium we place in the standard of trainings at the Centre, 102 trainees are graduating today. The successful beneficiaries were trained in various skills including, Catering Services, Fashion Designing, Hair Making/makeup and Gele Tying.
 ‘Others are Production of Household Products, Information Communication Technology, Bag Making and Barbing.
 ‘Each of the participant’s training regimen was fully funded by DEPOWA and all of them were provided with essential basic training materials and placed on monthly stipends of Ten Thousand Naira (N10,000) to cater for their logistics and personal needs.
” It is also noteworthy that in spite of the limited funds at our disposal, we had to undertake a thorough renovation of the Centre and provided it new equipment to ensure conducive learning environment prior to commencement of the training.
“This was necessary in view of the fact that all the departments of the Centre were in a deplorable state and with obsolete facilities.
Continuing she said, “Considerations were however given to wives of fallen heroes and vulnerable youths within and outside the barrack community. They were exposed to intensive trainings based on the reviewed training curriculum of the Centre.
“The curriculum review was necessitated by the need to ensure that our trainees were adequately equipped with the right knowledge and contemporary skills to enable them have comparative advantage with their counterparts when they leave this Centre.
“‘For us in DEPOWA, it is indeed an honor and privilege to have the opportunity to undertake this noble task of nurturing young men and women to become productive members of the society.
“We make bold to say that these modest achievements have become our ‘article of faith’ as we painstakingly strive to positively impact lives.
“It is indeed an affirmation of DEPOWA’s well-known passion and commitment towards empowering the women, youths and other vulnerable members of our constituency and beyond.
“To our graduating trainees, I commend you for your patience, discipline and commitment in staying through the training process.
“Remember that the whole essence of grooming you through this programme is to assist you in securing your future, to be able to take care of yourself and your family and ultimately becoming productive and responsible members of the society. I therefore implore you to be good ambassadors of DSAC.
“Make sure that you fully and responsibly utilize every opportunity that comes your way. More importantly, be bold, brave, disciplined and continue to improve upon the crafts you have learnt from this Centre. I have no doubt that equipped with these attributes, you will most definitely succeed in your respective endeavors.
The DEPOWA President added, “Our modest effort towards transforming the lives of these graduating trainees were made possible through the significant supports and encouragements extended to DEPOWA by well-meaning individuals and corporate organizations”.
“However, I wish to express my deepest gratitude and appreciation to the Special Guest of Honour, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, for supporting the ideals of DEPOWA and being the driving force behind my stated vision for this noble organization.
“My heartfelt gratitude also goes to the Service Chiefs, the Principal Staff Officers of the Defence and Services Headquarters, and all the senior officers who contributed one way or the other to the success of DEPOWA Skills Acquisition Trainings and indeed other DEPOWA endeavors.
“I want to specially thank the Mother of the Day, our Mummy, Mrs Esther Domkat Bali, the first President DEPOWA who laid the foundation for us through her vision of creating a platform that will unite all the wives of officers.
 In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Gwabim Musa who was the Special Guest of Honour, congratulated the 102 graduates of the skil acquisition training saying, “Am aware that 106 beneficiaries assembled and 102 are graduating. Your hard work, dedication and perseverance have led you to this moment of triumph.
“Today is a testament to your commitment to personal and professional growth and I commend you for your determination to acquire new skills and knowledge.
“I also want to take a moment to acknowledge the unwavering support and guidance of the DEPOWA President and all the Wives of service chiefs and the Inspector General of Police for your determination to assist the wives of fallen heroes and the vulnerable in the barrack community and beyond.
He told the graduates, “As you step out into the world armed with your new found skills and expertise, I urge you to embrace the journey ahead with courage, passion and resilience.
“The road to success may be fraught with challenges and obstacles, but it is your unwavering determination and willingness to adapt that will ultimately lead you to greatness.
“Remember that learning is a life-long journey and the skills you have acquired here are just the beginning. Continue to seek out new opportunities for growth, never stop pushing the boundaries of your potential and always strive for excellence in everything you do.
“As you embark on this new chapter of your lives, I encourage you to remain true to yourselves, stay committed to your goals and never lose sight of the values that defines who you are. Your skills and talents have the power to transform not only your own lives but also the world around you.
Present at the ceremony were Mrs Esther Domkat Bali, the founding President of DEPOWA, Mrs Omobolanle Olonisakin and Barr Mrs Anwuli Irabor, both former DEPOWA Presidents, Mrs Mariya Abiodun Lagbaja, President of NAOWA, Hajia Rekiya Abubakar, President of NAFOWA, Dr. Mrs Egbetokun, Wife of the Inspector General of Police and President of POWA, the wife of the Chief of Naval Staff and NOWA President, Mrs Ogalla was represented by Mrs Zakaria.
