The President, Defence and Police Officers' Wives Association, DEPOWA, Mrs. Oghogho Gwabin Musa marked the International Widow’s Day 2025 with widows of military and police personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of the nation.
The memorable event took place on Saturday, 2025 wuth a free medical outreach at the Jaji Military Cantonment, Kaduna.
In her remarks, the President DEPOWA, Mrs. Oghogho Gwabin Musa reaffirmed DEPOWAs commitment to supporting widows and acknowledged the emotional and financial burdens carried by widows, describing the loss of a spouse in service as a void that can never truly be filled.
"Let me begin by asking you to pause with me… and imagine the strength it takes to bury a spouse, raise family alone, and still keep showing up with dignity. That strength is not just admirable.. it is sacred.
"On this day, we celebrate the quiet warriors. Women who did not choose widowhood, but embraced the aftermath with grace and grit. As I reflect on this moment, one quote comes to mind
“A widow is not just a woman who has lost her husband, she is a woman who continues to walk through life with courage stitched into her bones. That is who we are here to honour. International Widow’s Day is not a mere commemoration. It is a declaration… to say: we see you. We see the strength beneath your silence, the resilience behind your smile, the hope you still carry, even after loss". she said
Mrs Musa encouraged the women to stay strong and focused.
"You are defined not by what you lost, but by all you continue to give ..your courage, your faith, your love.
"To our military and police widows especially, your journey is one of layered sacrifice. And at DEPOWA, we don’t take that lightly. We understand that widowhood doesn’t end at the burial ground.
"It follows you into school fees, unpaid benefits, lonely nights, unanswered questions. But today, and every day after, we want you to know: You are not alone. You are not forgotten. You are not invisible. You are deeply valued.
"This year, DEPOWA is scaling up support, not just through symbolic gestures, but through tangible action: skills training, education support for children, and safe spaces for healing. We are not just responding to widowhood, we are standing beside it.
The event organised by DEPOWA brought together resilient widows and women who have endured great personal sacrifices. It offered a platform for shared experiences, emotional support, and renewed hope.
