NDCOWA Champions Child Wellbeing, Digital Safety and Quality Education at NDC Course 34 Graduation Events

The National Defence College Officers’ Wives Association (NDCOWA) has called for greater commitment to the welfare, education and protection of children, warning that emerging challenges in the physical and digital environments require collective action from parents, institutions and society.

The association made the call during a child wellbeing programme organised as part of activities marking the graduation of Course 34 of the National Defence College (NDC) in Abuja

The programme, held at Abacha Hall, was themed, “Child Wellbeing: Nurture, Educate and Protect.”

Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour, the President of the Defence Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs Mernan Femi Oluyede, said the three elements of the theme were interconnected responsibilities that must guide efforts to raise responsible and well-adjusted children.

Oluyede said nurturing children goes beyond meeting their material needs, stressing the importance of love, guidance, discipline and creating an environment where children feel valued and secure.

She said education should equip children not only with knowledge but also with character, responsibility, empathy and the ability to make sound decisions.

The DEPOWA President also raised concerns over the growing risks children face online, including cyberbullying, inappropriate content, online exploitation and misinformation

According to her, technology offers opportunities for learning and creativity but requires parents and caregivers to be more digitally aware and maintain continuous communication with their children.

She also stressed the need to pay greater attention to children's mental and emotional wellbeing, urging parents to listen to them, identify changes in behaviour and create safe spaces where they can openly discuss their fears, anxieties and challenges.

Oluyede noted that military families face additional pressures arising from deployments, frequent postings, relocation and prolonged absence of parents.

She said officers’ wives’ associations had therefore become important support systems for military families by providing encouragement, guidance and practical assistance.

“When our children are secure, properly educated and emotionally supported, our homes become more resilient. When our homes are resilient, our personnel are better positioned to discharge their responsibilities with confidence and peace of mind,” she said.

She added that strong families strengthen morale, while strong morale strengthens institutions and ultimately contributes to national security.

Earlier, the NDCOWA Coordinator, Hajia Hauwa A. Ahmed, said the association remained committed to initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of women, children and vulnerable members of society

Ahmed said NDCOWA had over the years used seminars, medical interventions and community outreach programmes to raise awareness and create opportunities capable of positively impacting individuals, families and communities.

She described children as the future of families, communities and the nation, stressing that their physical and mental health, education, safety, emotional development and protection must remain a collective priority.

She said the programme was designed to examine global best practices in child welfare, barriers to quality education, child protection and the opportunities and risks associated with technology and social media.

The NDCOWA coordinator urged parents, schools, healthcare professionals, government institutions, community leaders, religious organisations and other stakeholders to work together in protecting children and creating supportive environments for their development.

She also appealed to participants to translate the knowledge gained from the programme into practical action in their homes, schools and communities.

In his remarks, the Commandant of the National Defence College, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Ahmed, commended NDCOWA for organising the initiative and assured the association of the college’s continued support for programmes aimed at promoting family welfare and national development.

The programme featured lectures and interactive sessions on global best practices in child welfare, overcoming barriers to quality education, child protection, and responsible use of social media.

Participants also discussed digital safety and educational accessibility before a fellowship lunch and souvenir presentation.

The event, which formed part of the activities marking the graduation of NDC Course 34, ended with a group photograph of senior military leaders, officers’ wives, resource persons and other participants.