Educating youth in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is crucial for a variety of reasons. It equips them with essential digital literacy skills, prepares them for a technology-driven world, and enhances their learning experience.
The Barracks Youths are not left out in this great initiative by Mrs Mernan Femi Oluyede's Youth Empowerment Project for Barracks Youths, 2025.
The NAOWA Institute of Management and Technology has graduated 199 students, comprising 81 males and 118 females, the first batch of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) trainees who underwent training in five different courses in computer facilities under the NAOWA Youth Empowerment Project for Barracks Youths, 2025.
The computer course includes 12 trainees for ICT, IT Essentials, 12 trainees for Cyber Security, others have 20 trainees for Python, 23 trainees for Web Design, and 130 trainees for Tech. It is pertinent to note that of the 199 trainees who underwent the training, about a quarter of them were Master Learning Officers and below.
At the graduation ceremony in Abuja, the NAOWA President, Mrs Mernan Femi Oluyede said the ICT training initiative embodies NAOWA's values of service, compassion, and community development.
"We believe that true empowerment is not a hand-out but a hand-up-building capacity, instilling confidence, and promoting competence for lasting change.
"Today, we celebrate achievement, progress, and the promise of a brighter future. This ceremony is not merely the conclusion of training-it marks the beginning of new possibilities, fueled by vision, shaped by determination, and sustained by purposeful leadership.
"At the core of NAOWA's mission is empowerment through education, training, and skills acquisition. Born from the urgent need to create sustainable livelihoods within our barracks communities, this ICT programme equips our youth with the technical tools and confidence they need to succeed in a technology-driven world.
Mrs Oluyede thanked facilitators, coordinators, and instructors for their patience, professionalism, and dedication. "You are the architects of today's success. I must also commend the Rector of the NAOWA Institute of Management and Technology, Lieutenant Colonel CR Adamu, for your sterling leadership and unwavering commitment throughout this programme.
The Special Guest of Honour (SGOH), the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), was ably represented by the Chief of Special Services and Programmes, Maj. Gen Jamil Abdulsalam said the NAOWA Empowerment Project is an initiative that fully speaks to the heart of our national priorities, youth empowerment, digital inclusion, and community development. Indeed, the initiative not only opens doors for new opportunities but also lays solid foundations for youth contribution to national development.
"It gives me great pleasure to extend my goodwill message as we mark another significant milestone in our collective pursuit of human development, self-reliance, digital empowerment, and national progress.
"This occasion marks the graduation ceremony of the first batch of Information and Communication Technology trainees of the Nigerian Army Officers' Wives Association, who feel proud of the project for the year 2025 and goes beyond the ceremonial events. It is a powerful testament to what visionary leadership, community commitment, and strategic collaboration can achieve.
The COAS commended the President of the Nigerian Army Officers' Wives Association, Mrs. Melman Femi Oluyede, and her dedicated team for sustaining and expanding this impactful programme.
The COAS pointed out that since its inception, this project has empowered hundreds of young men and women from our various communities, first on focus, then on skills, and finally on confidence to pursue greater performance.
"Today's graduates are joining in the legacy, and I believe their stories of resilience, growth, and transformation will inspire many others in the months and years to come. It is important to highlight that this ICT intervention is not just a vocational scheme, it is a strategic investment in our nation's future.
"In a world increasingly driven by technology, digital literacy is now as essential as traditional literacy. Through this programme, our world is prepared for our youth to compete, innovate, and thrive in the global economy, regardless of background or circumstances. To our graduates, I commend your determination and strength throughout this rigorous training.
"You are giving proof that when opportunity meets preparedness, great things happen. I urge you to apply in the next years to improve your lives, uplift others, and contribute meaningfully to the development of our nation. You have not merely graduated, you have made it without fail." he added
In her goodwill messge, the Mother of the Day, the elegant and gracious former NAOWA President Mrs. Hadiza Bello Dambazau charges the 199 graduating trainees to go forth as ambassadors of hope, discipline, and transformation. "Let your skills build not just careers, but legacies having acquire vital digital and entrepreneurial skills that align with today’s global economy.
Earlier, the Rector of NAOWA Institute of Management and Technology, Lieutenant Colonel CR Adamu while presenting the graduands revealed that the intensive computer course is a six-week programme that has exposed the trainees to key aspects of skills, which are relevant to day-to-day activities in private and organisational life. These areas include information technology essential, patent, cyber security, web design and get connected. The trainees were trained by internationally accredited teams of tutors.
The NAOWA Institute of Management and Technology, since it was constructed as a vocational and skill acquisition centre in 2010 has continued to fulfil the dreams and aspirations of the founding mothers.
It has continued the defence skill acquisition programmes of children of soldiers to date the beginning. The growth trajectory of the institute has been commendable. It has accommodated more trainees.
The testaments of this continued support of the success of this programme. To sustain and improve on the dynamic social and economic realities being faced by this critical component of our Barra community, the institute has organised a skill acquisition programme that cuts across fashion design and training information and communication technology.
Presenting the statistics of the graduating computer student for textbook 2025, Lt Col Adamu explained that discipline is central to the training in our Institute of Mining, Meta-Technology.
The training started on 14 April 2025 with 200 students but a female student was withdrawn due to persistent absenteeism, hence a total of 199 students.
The graduating trainees are sufficiently equipped with the skills and knowledge for them to make economic endings in their respective specialisations like students of IT Essential class, Cyber Security, Python.
Since the inception of NAOWA Institute of Management and Technology Abuja, about 1,700 spouses and wives or persons have benefited from one skill acquisition programme or programme.
Interestingly, the feedbacks from the graduates of this programme have been heartwarming because the majority of them are now economically empowered. The Barracks youth have enjoyed this programme.
She noted that the National President approved and sponsored in 2025, first batch of intensive computer training for the Barra Youth Junior Secondary School Certificate Exam. The gesture of the National President is driven by her desire to ensure Barracks youth are provided with employable skill sets, especially those belonging to proceed to special institutions.
The work is now technologically driven to be employed, knowledgeable and skilled, and intensive computing are highly required.
This is the third batch of intensive computer training for the year 2025. With the determined result and continuity of our passionate National President, the second batch of the computer training will accept. Let me respectfully inform the gathering that our visionary National President is also sponsoring another two Junior Secondary School Certificate Examination students, currently undergoing a three-month course.
Intensive training in fashion design and dressmaking, the untiring support and strategic guidance of the National President and ensuring that Barracks communities continue to receive attention is highly recommended.
Presenting the overview of Unites CISCO, the Director of CISCO Mr Onaolapo Olarinde (Project Cordinator), urged trainees to be diligent, proactive and dedicated.
"What you will become tomorrow, you must start doing today. You can't become what you don't begin. I am proud of you because you have done a good job. More so, we appreciate our mother, the President of NAOWA, who has given further permission for the three tests in each module to proceed on the four-week internship to gain work experience.
Dignitaries at the graduation ceremony are Mother of the Day, the former NAOWA President, Mrs. Hadiza Bello Dambazau, the former NAOWA President, Mrs. Esther Malu, the President of DEPOWA, Mrs. Oghogho Musa ably represented and the Presidents of NOWA, NAFOWA, POWA and families of the 199 trainees.
The highlight of the graduation ceremony is the practical presentation of IOT team, presentation of gifts (56 laptops) by donors, 17 laptops were presented to the best graduating students, presentation of certificates, presentation of academic prizes to the best 3 students in each ICT course.
This is yet another testament to the Nigerian Army Officers' Wives Association President's commitment to making the Institute a model. The National President's vision of increasing awareness of the enormous importance of information and technology necessitates a decision to equip the Barracks youth with the desirable skills in ICT.