The wife of the Chief of Army Staff and President of the Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association, NAOWA, Mrs Mariya Abiodun Lagbaja on Saturday put smiles to the faces of more than one thousand widows of fallen heroes and members of the Nigerian Army Soldiers’ Wives Association (NASWA) at the Migadishu Cantonment, Abuja.
The occssion was the Humanitarian and Awareness Outreach for Widows and NASWA members which is part of activities lined up by NAOWA to commemorate the festive season.
Speaking at the outreach, the NAOWA President said, “It is a great privilege and honour to host this wonderful outreach for members of the Nigerian Army Soldiers Wives Association (NASWA), and Widows of Our Fallen Heroes both Officers and Men, who have paid the supreme price in the service to our dear nation .
“This event is organized as a  demonstration of my commitment,  love and solidarity for the barracks community. It is also a forum to come together in harmony and celebrate in the spirit of Christmas as one great community bonded in love, unity and respect for each other.
“This gesture is to appreciate the widows whose husbands have paid the supreme sacrifice in ensuring that our nation remain united as well as to ensure peace and security for Nigerians.
“You (widows and soldiers wives) are heroes yourself for keeping the home front, taking care of the family while praying fervently, knowing fully well that your husbands are in the battle front in Sambisa and other dangerous places putting their lives on the line for our country.
“We are using this food outreach to say we are with you. We will not forget you. Your sacrifices and that of our fallen heroes are never forgotten. We, NAOWA are here because of you and we will continue to be there for you”.
“Accordingly, we are here as one body to celebrate this season of love by giving out food and other items which would support the household during this festive season .
Please accept this items as a symbol of NAOWA’s commitment to the betterment of the barracks community.
Mrs Lagbaja appreciated, “all NAOWA and NASWA members for their roles in keeping the home-front, while our spouses are away carrying out their assigned duties” adding, “I must say, that our dedication, resilience and  sacrifice has helped immensely in the  operational successes of the Nigerian Army, and also in the development of the barrack community.”
Among items donated during the outreach were bags of rice, vegetable oils, life chickens and others.
The elated widows and wives of soldiers thanked the NAOWA President for remembering them at this festive season and urged NAOWA not to relent in pursuing programs and initiatives thst will bring succour to them and their families.
