The Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, has commended the Nigerian Army for their commitment, dedication and quest to render humanitarian services to the society.
The Monarch was speaking at his Palace in Ikorodu on Friday, July 14, 2017, when the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), led by its President, Mrs. Jill Dauke, the wife of the current General Officer Commanding (G.O.C) 81 Division, paid him a courtesy visit.
Oba Shotobi, who lauded the various programs they wished to embark upon, also expressed optimism that those programs would come to reality. He noted that the past President of the Association was also at his Palace few months ago, where she read out many laudable projects and programs the Association wanted to carry out.
According to him, it came as a surprise when he heard that the GOC then had been transferred and all planned projects and programs by NAOWA under his wife’s control could not be realized due to the transfer. He told the new President, “I wish and pray you would have the opportunity to deliver all your programs, especially for 174 Battalion Barracks in Ikorodu.”
The Oba also used the opportunity to appreciate the Commanding Officer (C.O) of 174 Battalion at Odogunyan, Ikorodu, Lt. Colonel Benedict Eze, for leading his men to personally carry out the necessary repair works on the bad portions of Odogunyan road.
In his view, “With all what the Officers had done in Ikorodu in recent time, the people of the division now repose trust in the Army more than the Police. He said that most people now see military officers as responsible men, who also have responsible and beautiful wives.” Oba Shotobi concluded his speech by thanking the Association for relating with women and the less privileged in Ikorodu and wished them safe journey back to their base.
Earlier on, the President of NAOWA, Mrs. Jill Dauke, in her address, pointed out that the purpose of the visit was to familiarize themselves with the traditional institution in Ikorodu, being the tradition of NAOWA’s new President to visit the Association’s area of responsibilities. She also stated that part of the reasons for the visitation was to give information on what NAOWA 81 Division intends to do under her watch.
Mrs. Jill Dauke said that the Association is a non-governmental and non-profit making organization saddled with the responsibility of developing the mental and social capacity of its target audience, which includes the less-privileged in the society, especially in the Barrack Community. She also noted that some of their activities and programs, such as NAOWA Nursery Primary Schools and NAOWA Vocational Training Centres, both situated in the barracks, enhance Civil-Military relations due to the accommodation of pupils and student from the barracks’ host communities.
The NAOWA’S new President also revealed that they reach out to widows, orphanages and old people’s homes as a way of bringing relief to them. For the support the Association needed she said, “Some of these projects can only be sustained and improved upon with your unflinching support and robust contribution to those projects and other laudable programs and activities, which the Associasion under my watch intends to embark on in the near future. Your Roya Majesty, this association is a peace loving one that would continue to work with other women organization and sister security agencies for a peaceful Lagos,” she stated.
Those who were present during the visit included, Council of Leaders of Ikorodu, Council of Baales, Council of Osugbos, Council of Erelus, Market Women Association of Ikorodu, IKODASS members, among others. The wives of Military Officers present were, Mrs. Jill Dauke, President of NAOWA; Mrs. Odion, Adviser; Mrs. Briggs, Adviser; Mrs. Adedigbon, Treasurer; Mrs. Abore, Secretary; Mrs. Ijomanta, member; Mrs. Ogbonna, member; Mrs. Miebaike, member; Mrs. Shuma, member and Mrs. Popoola, member.