The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Lucky Irabor, has commended the Defense and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) over the establishment of the Armed Forces Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Centre for Military and Police Personnel.
The CDS gave the commendation on Tuesday 4th October 2022 at the ground-breaking and foundation stone laying ceremony of the Armed Forces Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Centre, an initiative of the Defense and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) at the Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment Giri Abuja on Tuesday.
He commended DEPOWA for the initiative considering the involvement of military personnel in protracted operations across the country and other parts of the world to restore peace and security.
“Having realised that for us to perform optimally in the frontline, there has to be the awareness of safety for the women. Let me as Chief of Defence Staff appeal to you, our wives. We may have had several times been irrational in our homes and may have experienced some signs of PTSD.
“I want to say that your understanding by virtue of this project as to what perhaps may have led us to act the way we did in the past is something that we will stand ready to support you, knowing that you are partners and ensuring that we play our roles even in the front lines.
“I want to crave the indulgence of all invitees and those who may be watching to do well to support the armed forces of Nigeria and the police and other security agencies in reversing the security challenges in this country.
“It is in this light that I also want to appeal to you to make generous donations towards the establishment of this centre,” he said.
According to him, men and women of the armed forces remain the first beneficiaries of the establishment of this centre, saying the project would also be of high value to all Nigerians.
General Irabor reiterated the loyalty of members of the armed forces to President Buhari in his quest to bequite a Nigeria that is safe to all Nigerians at the end of his tenure.
Dignitries at the ground breaking event were the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Her Excellency, Dr. (Mrs.) Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, Service Chiefs, Leut Gen. Farouk Yahaya (COAS), Vice Admiral A.Z. Gambo (CNS) and Air Marshal Oladayo Amao (CAS), Vice President of Liberia, Her Excellency, Chief (Dr.) Jewel Howard Taylor, the former President of Malawi Her Excellency Dr. Joyce Banda, the United Kingdom House of Lords member, Baroness Sandy Verma, Principal Staff officers of the Defence Headquarters, Military personnel, families and Friends.
