Group calls on government to invest in community development

The National President, Naval Officers Wives Association (NOWA) Barrister Theresa Ibas has called on government at all levels to invest vigorously in community development in order to improve on the welfare of the people living at the grassroots.

Mrs Ibas who is also the wife of the current Chief of Naval Staff made the call during the inauguration of NOWA Lokoja zone at Naval base in  Banda community, Lokoja.

The National President of NOWA said it has become imperative for the government, corporate organisations to render social responsibilities to communities in the areas of providing basic social needs that will enhance their standard of living.

She noted that NOWA which was established 54 years ago by the wives of the officers of Nigerian Navy has succeeded in promoting unity and improve the welfare of the Naval officers wives as well as the immediate communities where Naval base are established across the country.

According to her “We are inaugurating the Lokoja zone of NOWA today to enable the association to provide its social responsibility to the people of Kogi state.

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“In view of this desire, we are soliciting the support of Kogi state government to enable the association to carry out its numerous obligations to banda and other host communities of Naval base in the state.

“We are also appealing to the state government to assist us in establishing NOWA primary and secondary schools in Lokoja zone to enable us to provide quality education to the people of the state” she said.

In her remark, the wife of Kogi state governor Mrs Rashidat Bello commended the national body of NOWA for inaugurating the Lokoja zone of the association and promised that her office would collaborate with the association to provide succour to the less privilege in the state.

Also in her vote of thanks, the newly inaugurated Zonal  Director of NOWA Lokoja,  Mrs Rhoda Olotu promised to use her position to unified all the members of the association in the state.

“I will use this position given to me to touch lives positively because the association is known for assisting the less privilege in the society especially widows and orphans” she stated.

Part of the inauguration activities was NOWA free medical outreach provided for Banda community, donation of exercise book and desks to LGEA primary school in the community as well as the provision of mosquito nets to reduce the spread of malaria in the community.