By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) has shifted focus from ceremonial roles to practical community impact, with a strong call for inclusive leadership and grassroots-driven development.
The National President of NAOWA, Mrs Safiyyah Shaibu, made the call at the maiden Intentional Leadership Workshop, organised by NOAWA in collaboration with Salamatu Farouq Consulting, on Wednesday in Abuja.
Shaibu said the association was repositioning itself to equip members with leadership skills capable of addressing real challenges faced by military families.
She also said that the workshop was designed to move beyond theory and empower members with practical tools for community development.
She emphasised that inclusion must remain central to NAOWA’s operations, noting that members cut across different regions, religions, languages and ranks within the military structure.
”This is not just another gathering. What we do here today will shape future engagements and redefine how we function as an association.
”Inclusion is not a slogan for us; it is our reality. This diversity is our strength, and we must harness it to build stronger, more responsive communities,” she said.
Shaibu also stressed the need for needs-based interventions, particularly for families in remote operational areas, saying community support must be practical and impact-driven.
She further underscored the importance of continuity in leadership, commending former NAOWA President, Mrs Monique Salama, for supporting the initiative through her consulting firm.
According to her, a soldier’s wife in a remote location does not need abstract theories. She needs access to water, vocational opportunities, and leaders who can mobilise resources and manage them transparently.
”Our past leaders remain valuable resources. Their experience is critical to sustaining growth and institutional memory,” she added.
The NAOWA president charged participants, particularly wives of senior officers and coordinators, to translate lessons from the workshop into tangible benefits for communities.
She added that the workshop would serve as a benchmark for future capacity-building initiatives within the association.
She urged participants to actively engage, ask questions and share experiences, emphasising that effective leadership required continuous learning and collaboration.
Dr Maimuna Alkali-Bature, Lead Facilitator, said the training focused on intentional leadership built on self-awareness, collaboration and purpose-driven engagement.
She noted that the sessions also explored teamwork, vision-setting and the need for leaders to carry others along in decision-making processes.
”We are engaging participants on intentional leadership, with emphasis on self-awareness; understanding strengths and weaknesses and improving on them,” she said.
Also speaking, Dr Othman Abdulrasheed, a facilitator said leadership had remained the foundation of every meaningful transformation effort, stressing that NAOWA’s impact depended on deliberate and visionary action.
He explained that the training was aimed at transitioning participants from ordinary leadership roles to more proactive and visionary leadership capable of empowering communities.
Similarly, Mr Abdulrasheed Mustapha, another facilitator, said the workshop was designed to strengthen the capacity of NAOWA members to function effectively within the association’s structure.
He noted that many members often assume leadership positions unexpectedly due to the nature of military postings and appointments.
”Leadership in NAOWA is not by election but by appointment, which often comes without prior preparation. This training is therefore designed to bridge that gap.
”NAOWA has a strong national structure, its effectiveness depends on intentional leadership and sustained capacity building across all levels,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Deborah Coker
