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From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Nigerian Navy Base in Abuja, has empowered fifty widows and wives of serving personnel with entrepreneurial skills and provided starter packs among other items for them to kick off.
The initiative according to the commander Naval Base Abuja Commodore O. E. Oladipo, is aimed at providing practical knowledge, skills, and motivation that will promote self-reliance, entrepreneurship, and personal growth for wives and widows of naval personnel within Abuja Area.
Commodore Oladipo, also said that the gesture is being conducted in the spirit of International Women’s Day 2026 which has the theme “Give to Gain”.
In his address at the ceremony which took place at the naval barrack pavilion, Oladipo, who described the occasion is an important step in our collective effort to recognize and strengthen the invaluable role women especially within our barracks community, said women are the backbone of our families and communities.
He said Their resilience, dedication, and contributions have continue to shape the social and economic stability of our environment.
According to him, “This initiative has been carefully designed to provide practical knowledge, skills, and motivation that will promote self-reliance, entrepreneurship, and personal growth for wives and widows of NN personnel within Abuja Area.
He further stated that “In contemporary security discourse, it is widely acknowledged that national security requires a whole-of-society approach, where every segment of the society plays a meaningful role in fostering peace, stability, and development.
“Within the military environment, the role of families particularly women cannot be overstated. They form the backbone of the home front and contribute significantly to the overall morale and effectiveness of our personnel.
“The stability of the home front is essential for operational effectiveness. When our personnel are confident that their families and communities are stable, supported, and empowered, they are better positioned to focus on their duties and responsibilities in service to the nation. “It is therefore imperative that we continue to promote initiatives that strengthen and empower members of our barracks community”.
According to him, “In line with the theme “Give to Gain”, we shall be giving to selected women from NN Barracks in Abuja Area in the form of capacity building, as well as financial and material support. This will help them overcome the challenges of low financial and knowledge base. The objective of this giving initiative is to gain increased productivity, confidence and dignity of these esteemed women.
“We believe that empowering women is not only an investment in individuals but also in the future of our entire community. By equipping participants with useful skills and financial knowledge, we are creating opportunities for sustainable development and improved livelihoods.
“Today, we are not only supporting individual growth but also reinforcing the broader framework of personnel welfare, which remains a key priority for the Nigerian Navy, under the leadership of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral I Abbas Admiralty Medal.
“On the aforementioned basis, I therefore encourage all participants to actively engage in the sessions, ask questions, share experiences, and make the most of the opportunities presented today. I also wish to warmly appreciate our partners and facilitators whose support has made this initiative possible.
Also speaking, the Mandate Secretary for Women Affairs in the Federal Capital Administration, Dr Mrs Adedayo Benjamin-Laniyi, who is the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion, commended the Commander Naval Base, Abuja for recognizing that empowering women within the barracks community is essential to building stronger families and ultimately a stronger nation.
Laniyi, who described wives of military men as not just supporters of service members, said they are pillars of stability, nurturing families and sustaining the very fabric of the naval community.
She said Their quiet strength, perseverance, and dedication deserve recognition and support.
While describing Life in the barracks community as unique, she however noted that It demands patience, sacrifice, adaptability, and strength.
She said “Many women here carry enormous responsibilities: raising children, managing homes, supporting their spouses in service, and often pursuing their own economic and personal aspirations.
She said “Today’s gathering is especially meaningful because it focuses on empowerment. Empowerment is more than a word; it is a commitment to creating opportunities, building confidence, and equipping women with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive.
She further stated that “When women are empowered, families become stronger, communities grow healthier, and society as a whole moves forward. I also speak today not just as a guest speaker but as someone who feels a deep personal connection to the naval community.
“My late father served as a naval officer on NNS Aradu, and I had the privilege of growing up within a naval base in Apapa, Lagos. Because of that experience, I understand the unique environment and the strong sense of community that exists within naval life.
“Growing up on a naval base meant witnessing firsthand the discipline, dedication, and sacrifices that come with service to our nation. But it also meant seeing the quiet strength of the women who supported those who serve the wives, mothers, and daughters who held families together, managed homes, nurtured children, and supported one another while their loved ones were often away on duty.
“Those experiences left a lasting impression on me and deepened my respect for the resilience and strength of women within military communities. That is why initiatives like the Naval Women Initiative Empowerment Program are so important. They recognize that women within the naval community have enormous potential and deserve platforms that help them grow economically, socially, and personally.
“Empowerment programs provide more than training; they create possibilities. They encourage women to develop new skills, explore entrepreneurship, build networks of support, and pursue opportunities that improve their livelihoods and the wellbeing of their families
