By Sumaila Ogbaje
The Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) says it has empowered 192 youths in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and fashion design to promote self-reliance and sustainable livelihood among military families.
The President of NAOWA, Mrs Safiyyah Shaibu, said this at the graduation of the beneficiaries of the 2026 NAOWA Youth Empowerment Programme Batch 1, on Wednesday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the training was conducted by the NAOWA Institute of Management and Technology (NIMTA) in collaboration with its technical partners.
Shaibu said that the initiative was designed to equip young people with practical skills capable of creating employment and reducing dependence on white-collar jobs.
According to her, empowerment goes beyond acquiring vocational skills to building confidence, creating opportunities and enabling beneficiaries to become economically independent.
She said that the association’s vision was to build a united and innovative NAOWA that empowers military families through self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods.
The NAOWA president noted that the graduates had acquired relevant knowledge and practical skills needed to thrive in the digital economy and Nigeria’s growing fashion industry.
She urged the beneficiaries to see their certificates as the beginning of a new journey rather than the end of their training.
“The true measure of your success will not lie in the certificates you hold but on how effectively you apply the knowledge and skills you have acquired.
“Continue to learn, embrace innovation, remain resilient and never allow temporary setbacks to define your future,” she said.
Shaibu encouraged the graduates to uphold discipline, integrity and excellence while remaining committed to continuous learning.
She said that every investment in human capital contributes to building stronger families and a more prosperous society.
She appreciated the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, for supporting programmes that improve the welfare of the Nigerian Army personnel and their families.
The NAOWA president also commended NIMTA, the facilitators and partners for ensuring the successful implementation of the training programme.
She called on stakeholders to sustain support for skills acquisition and entrepreneurship to expand opportunities for young Nigerians.
The Acting Rector of NIMTA, Capt. Safiya Tafida, said the graduates comprised 160 ICT trainees and 32 fashion designers trained under the NAOWA-sponsored vocational empowerment programme.
She said the ICT trainees completed a six-week intensive programme, while the fashion trainees underwent three months of practical and entrepreneurial training to prepare them for self-employment.
Tafida urged the graduates to uphold professionalism, integrity and excellence, saying they were now ambassadors of NIMTA whose conduct and quality of work would reflect the institute’s values.
NAN reports that the beneficiaries were empowered with starter packs such as sewing machines, laptops and other equipment. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Chidi Opara