Monday, October 30, was a special day in the annals of military and Police wives events in Nigeria. It was a day The DEPOWA held a special Send Forth ceremony to honour the immediate past President. The ceremony, which has unarguably become a significant gathering of Mimilitarynd Police wives in Africa honoured Barrister Mrs Vicky Irabor for remarkable achievements while serving as the DEPOWA President.
The event has come and gone, but its echoes still resonate, as thousands of occupants within the Mogadishu Cantonment, popular known as Abacha barracks and its environs keep talking about it. On that special day, the General Olanisakin Hall, DEPOWA Secondary School, Mogadishu Cantonment, Asokoro, Abuja, the venue of the ceremony, was filled to the brim, with guests from all walks of life.
The Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA) National President, Mrs Oghogho Gwabin Musa officially sent forth her predecessor, Barrister Mrs Vickie Irabor.
The night was not only about sending forth honours to past presidents; it was also a time to relax to some good music. It was a lot of fun.
Barrister Mrs Vickie Irabor received encomiums from women, DEPOWA executives and those who had worked with her.
The President of DEPOWA, Mrs. Oghogho Musa says the legacies, achievement and transformational leadership in the areas of human capacity development, women or youth empowerment, education, health, as well as medical outreach of the immediate pass DEPOWA President, Mrs Vickie Irabor are undeniable.
Mrs. Musa noted that she impacted positively in various Association and to humanity generally, as she craves for her support to enable her build on the successes of the predecessors.
“I pledge to do my best as the president of the DEPOWA, to continue to add value to humanity in line with our mandates and the focus of the First Lady, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu enabled renewed hope initiative in Nigeria,” she added.
Speaking also, the former President of Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs. Vickie Irabor said their tenure was marked by remarkable developments inspired by passion for bringing succour to the widows and orphans of the nation’s fallen heroes due to insecurity especially for the vulnerable in the society.
Mrs. Irabor said that “the orphans were trained at the skills acquisition center”.
She noted some of the achievements during her tenure to include reaching out to the widows of fallen heroes, establishment of the Armed Forces Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD Center among others.
Mrs. Irabor said the PTSD Center project was sponsored by the CDS and Service Chief 100% from beginning to where it was when she handed over to the President, Mrs. Oghogho Musa.
According to her, it is her prayer that God will give Mrs. Musa the grace to complete this project so that they can all come for the commissioning and begin to access the facility for mental health of the military family.
She opined that challenges and trials are opportunity to do better and service to humanity creates the avenue for positive change.
She said her passion led her to author the book, "The Journey of a Military Wife", a must read for every military wife,” she added.
She noted that as she passed the baton, she is confident that the new leadership of Mrs. Musa will reach even greater heights.
Dignitaries at the event were the past president of DEPOWA, Incumbent president of NAOWA, NOWA, NAFOWA and POWA. The event came to an end about 21:00 (9:00pm)
