The President of the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs. Oghogho Gwabin Musa, has called on wives of non-commissioned officers to embrace a healthy balance between parenting, entrepreneurship, and personal well-being to strengthen their families and contribute to national development.
She made this appeal while declaring open a Personal Development Training for members of the Defence Non-Commissioned Officers’ Wives Association (DENCOWA) in Abuja.
Speaking warmly to the women she described as “wives, mothers, and women of strength,” Mrs. Musa said empowerment must begin at home before it can radiate into business, community, and the wider society.
“If you educate a woman, you educate a nation. But I would add—if you empower the wife of a soldier, you strengthen the backbone of national security,” she said.
The DEPOWA president stressed that parenting, entrepreneurship, and self-care are not competing demands but interconnected responsibilities. According to her, women cannot effectively raise children or grow businesses without first looking after their own well-being.
“Self-care is not selfish—it is survival, it is strength,” she emphasized, urging the participants to adopt practical lessons from the training for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Mrs. Musa also commended the facilitators of the programme and expressed optimism that the training would serve as a turning point for many of the participants.
In her remarks, the President of the Defence Non-Commissioned Officers’ Wives Association (DENCOWA), Mrs Nancy Ngieze expressed her joy and satisfaction over the successful completion of a capacity-building training program aimed at empowering members of the association with entrepreneurial skills.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Ngiezie highlighted the transformative impact of the training, noting that it has inspired many women to start their own businesses and equipped others with the knowledge to expand their existing ventures.
"I am truly delighted by the outcome of today’s training program. This is exactly the kind of impact we envisioned for our members.
"As you may have heard from some participants, many of our women who had not yet ventured into business have been inspired to start their entrepreneurial journeys after this session. For those who already own businesses, the training has provided them with the knowledge and strategies to expand and take their ventures to greater heights.
"This was not just an ordinary workshop — it was a highly intelligent and practical training that has equipped our members with valuable skills for self-reliance and economic empowerment.
"I feel deeply fulfilled because I can see the happiness and excitement on the faces of our women. Their growth and success bring me great joy, and I am confident this experience will have a lasting positive effect on their lives and families. On behalf of all members of the Defence Non-Commissioned Officers’ Wives Association, I extend our heartfelt appreciation to everyone who made this program a success," she said
There were lectures on Personal Well-being for Purposeful Living delivered by Miss Amara Ezediniru, Entrepreneurship Development for Economic Empowerment by Mrs Linda Ekeator, and the final Lecture on Intentional Parenting by Mrs Wendy Ologe.
Experiences and testimonies were shared by Mrs Blessing Ogunbiyi, Mrs Sadiya Mushudi and Mrs Lucy Ochekani on how they started their businesses and managed their homes inside the barracks community.
SpyeTV News reports that the personal development training marks a significant step toward empowering the members of DENCOWA with the knowledge and skills needed to achieve financial independence and contribute meaningfully to their families and communities. With initiatives like this, the association continues to foster a culture of self-reliance, resilience, and growth among its members, ensuring they are well-prepared to face future challenges and seize new opportunities.
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