The wives of officers of the 42nd Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) have marked the 35th anniversary of their husbands’ commissioning with an empowerment and donation outreach to about 58 widows of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in Abuja.
The event, held on Thursday, 16 October 2025, at Navy Holdings Limited, Asokoro, Abuja, brought together wives of serving and retired officers to celebrate over three decades of shared experiences, unity, and resilience.
As part of the anniversary activities, the women reached out to the widows of their late course mates through empowerment initiatives and donation drives aimed at supporting their livelihoods. The gesture, according to the organisers, was in remembrance of the fallen officers’ service and sacrifice to the nation.
Speaking at the event, the Association President of the 42nd Regular Course Officers’ Wives, Mrs Lucy Okaye, emphasised the importance of compassion, togetherness, and continued support for the families of departed colleagues. She described the outreach as a way of sustaining the bond that has kept them united over the years.
For Dr Mrs. Temitope Oyinlola, the Financial Secretary of the 42nd Regular Course Jewel Association, the outreach is very important in their lives, a day that marked the beginning of 35 years in the Service of their husbands. "They have been through all thick and thin, challenging times, so we are just here to say thank God for keeping them and for protecting them. We want to tell them that they have their wives' full support. We love them and we will continue to support them".
Engr Olubunmi Adedoja, the Secretary of the 42nd Regular Course Jewel Association, the occasion is worth celebrating. "It's a time when we come to thank God for life, the experiences so far. As an association, it's a time to come together again and celebrate success, victory and the glory of God upon our family as a whole," she said
The celebration also featured moments of reflection, tributes, and expressions of gratitude for the officers’ contributions to national security, peace, and unity.
The 35th Anniversary Celebration and Empowerment Outreach underscored the enduring spirit of solidarity among the wives, reinforcing their commitment to promoting welfare, empowerment, and mutual support within the military community.