The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has commended the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) for its humanitarian initiatives, which have won hearts and minds, thereby contributing immensely to the non-kinetic approach to counter-insurgency operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).
This was contained in a statement made available to defence correspondents in Abuja on Tuesday by the Director of Public Relations and Information, DPRI, of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet.
According to the statement, the Air Chief stated this when the President of DEPOWA, Mrs. Oghogho Gwabin Musa, paid him a courtesy call at Headquarters Nigerian Air Force (NAF), Abuja.
It explained that the CAS also noted that non-kinetic warfare or soft power, which was the ability to influence others through attraction, persuasion, and diplomacy rather than through force, was an essential complement used in holistically addressing the current security impasse in the country.
According to the CAS, “Since our efforts have been mostly geared towards kinetic operations, which can only solve barely 25 per cent of the problem, DEPOWA initiatives, as well as those of similar associations, go a long way in enhancing civil-military relations while winning the confidence of the populace.”
While paying glowing tribute to the wives of military and police personnel, Air Marshal Abubakar stated that they are among the strongest and most courageous.
No wonder, then, that when they team up, their synergy creates amazing things.
According to him, “It takes a brave woman to stand by a man who is committed to the defence of his country, even at the risk of his own life. You are our pillars of strength and the unsung heroes that support us through every battle.
You are the source of our motivation to win the war because we know that we have a loving family and caring support system waiting for us back home.”
While noting that DEPOWA has metamorphosed into one of the most renowned women’s organisations in the country, performing exceptional philanthropic and humanitarian activities, he urged the association to connect with other like-minded organisations, as collaborations can amplify the impact of their efforts.
He also advised them to seek partnerships and continue to build supportive networks to strengthen each other.
Earlier, Mrs Oghogho Musa explained that DEPOWA was created as the umbrella body unifying Armed Forces and Police officers’ wives’ associations with the mandate to ensure their wives are responsible amidst challenges faced by their husbands in the line of duty.
She noted that over the years, DEPOWA has positively touched the lives of the less privileged and vulnerable in society through skills acquisition programmes, providing schooling facilities, charity, and economic growth opportunities, amongst others.
Mrs Musa went on to stress that the association intends to do more for youths in the barracks through access to knowledge in information technology in efforts to further reduce poverty.
According to her, “DEPOWA intends to reach out to the most vulnerable in our various barracks and surrounding communities, as well as commence the training of widows drawn from all the associations to further empower them to be self-reliant in assisting their families.”
Other areas of focus for DEPOWA include assisting internally displaced persons and visiting wounded soldiers to provide additional aid for their recovery as part of the Armed Forces’ peace-building agenda channelled towards non-kinetic support in the fight against terrorism.
The National President of DEPOWA was accompanied by the National President of the Nigerian Air Force Officers Wives Association, Architect (Mrs.) Rekiya Abubakar, the National President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association, Mrs. Elizabeth Egbetokun, and other executive members.
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