News - News Agency Of Nigeria

NAOWA empowers 202 barracks youths with ICT, fashion design skills (Page 410)

By Isaac Aregbesola

The Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) has equipped 202 youths drawn from military barracks with market-relevant skills in ICT and fashion design.

The gesture is under the NAOWA Youth Empowerment Project, aimed at boosting confidence, dignity and economic self-reliance.

The President of NAOWA), Mrs Safiyyah Shaibu, made the remarks in Abuja at the combined graduation ceremony of Batch 3 ICT and Batch 2 Fashion Design trainees of the NAOWA Youth Empowerment Project.

She described the programme as a strategic investment in the future, noting that empowering youths with practical and market-relevant skills had a direct impact on families, communities and national development.

“This project goes beyond skills acquisition. It is about giving our youths the tools to chart their own course and become productive members of society.

"A total of 202 youths graduated from the programme, which focused on ICT and fashion design, at the Mrs Alero Azazi Event Centre,'' she said.

She commended the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, for his consistent support for NAOWA initiatives, saying such encouragement had strengthened the association’s capacity to deliver sustainable empowerment programmes.

She said that NAOWA would continue to provide mentorship and support to beneficiaries to enable them translate their skills into sustainable livelihoods.

The COAS, represented by the Chief of Administration (Army), Maj.-Gen. Isa Abdullahi, commended NAOWA for complementing the Nigerian Army’s non-kinetic efforts aimed at youth development and social stability.

He said that skills acquisition remained a key pathway to reducing unemployment and promoting peace.

According to Shaibu, by empowering the youth, the Nigerian Army is contributing to a resilient society, critical to a resilient fighting force.

He said that the programme was part of the Army's efforts to build resilient families and empower communities, supporting its transformation into a professional, adaptable, and combat-ready force.

The Rector of the NAOWA Institute of Management and Technology (NIMTA), Abuja, Col. Comfort Adamu, said that the graduation represented the fulfilment of dreams and the unlocking of hidden potentials among the trainees.

Adamu said that the graduands had undergone weeks of intensive training that transformed curiosity into competence.

She said that the institute had equipped them with practical, income-generating skills in fashion design, tailoring and computer studies to enable them thrive in today’s technology-driven economy.

She said that the training, which began on Sept. 22, 2025, produced 202 graduates, comprising 32 trainees in fashion design and tailoring and 170 in ICT.

Acording to her, all the beneficiaries were children of serving and retired non-commissioned officers, adding that outstanding trainees would receive awards and undergo a four-week internship to further strengthen their skills and employability.

A student, Faitha Garba, described the training as highly impactful and empowering, noting that it had helped them develop self-awareness, confidence, and practical life skills.

According to her, the programme had opened her eyes to new opportunities for self-reliance, saying he can now apply what she had learned to support herself and her family.

Another Student, Gabriel Agboola, said that the six-week ICT programme had equipped him with valuable digital skills in areas such as cybersecurity, web design, Internet of Things (IoT), and programming.

Agboola said that the facilitators ensured clear understanding before moving on to new topics, making the learning process effective and engaging.

He expressed confidence in his ability to apply the knowledge gained, protect himself and others online, and transfer the skills to peers within the barracks and their communities, thereby multiplying the impact of the training. (NAN)

=========
Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman

NAOWA empowers 202 barracks youths with ICT, fashion design skills

By: isaac aregbesola

On: January 23, 2026

In: Defence/Security

With: 0 Comments

NAOWA empowers 202 barracks youths with ICT, fashion design skillsContinue Reading

Organisation urges government to see tax as tool for inclusive economic growth

By: Folasade Akpan

On: January 23, 2026

In: Economy/Business

With: 0 Comments

By Emmanuel Oloniruha The Abuja School of Social and Political Thought (TAS), an NGO, has advised the Federal Government to view taxation not merely as a revenue generation tool, but as a “social contract” essential for inclusive economic growth and public accountability. The Director of TAS, Dr Samuel Amadi, madeContinue Reading

Drug war: Marwa sets 2026 operational targets for NDLEA Commanders

By: Nefisetu Yakubu

On: January 23, 2026

In: Defence/Security

With: 0 Comments

Drug war: Marwa sets 2026 operational targets for NDLEA Commanders Target By Ibironke Ariyo Abuja, Jan. 23, 2026(NAN)The Chairman, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), retired Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa has set the tone for the 2026 operational goals with a high-level strategic meeting with Directors, Commanders and Heads of formations.Continue Reading

WEF: Shettima advocates home-grown solutions to Africa’s economic challenges

By: Nefisetu Yakubu

On: January 23, 2026

In: Metro

With: 0 Comments

WEF: Shettima advocates home-grown solutions to Africa’s economic challenges Economy By Salisu Sani-Idris Abuja, Jan. 23, 2026 (NAN) Vice-President Kashim Shettima, has advocated home-grown solutions to Africa’s economic problems. Shettima emphasised the need for innovative approaches for growth, development and prosperity on the continent. He stated this during a High-levelContinue Reading

Adeleke urges corps members to be good ambassadors of Nigeria

By: Nefisetu Yakubu

On: January 23, 2026

In: General News

With: 0 Comments

Adeleke urges corps members to be good ambassadors of Nigeria By Joshua Oladipo Ede (Osun) , Jan. 23, 2026 (NAN) Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun has urged the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream I corps members deployed to the state to be good ambassadors of Nigeria throughout their serviceContinue Reading

Coalition talks against Tinubu’s 2027 re-election will soon collapse— APC

By: Nefisetu Yakubu

On: January 23, 2026

In: Politics

With: 0 Comments

Coalition talks against Tinubu’s 2027 re-election will soon collapse— APC Coalition By Adeyemi Adeleye Lagos, Jan. 23, 2026 (NAN) The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) says opposition coalition moves against President Bola Tinubu’s re-election will soon collapse. The party said the coalition talks lacked cohesion andContinue Reading

Army committed to protecting, reintegrating IDPs – COAS

By: isaac aregbesola

On: January 23, 2026

In: Defence/Security

With: 0 Comments

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to protecting civilians and supporting the safe return, resettlement, reintegration of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) across the country.Continue Reading

Rewane outlines projections for Nigeria in 2026

By: Folashade Adeniran

On: January 23, 2026

In: Economy/Business

With: 0 Comments

By Rukayat Moisemhe Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company, Mr Bismarck Rewane, has projected a cautious but opportunity-laden economic outlook for Nigeria in 2026. Rewane said the year would be characterised by moderate global growth, a weaker naira, rising public debt and expanding investment opportunities across key sectors of theContinue Reading

CSO urges youths to protect critical govt infrastructure

By: Tosin Kolade

On: January 23, 2026

In: General News

With: 0 Comments

By Ikenna Osuoha A civil society organisation (CSO), the Initiative for Leadership Development and Change (ILDC), has advised Nigerian youths to protect critical government infrastructure in the interest of national security and sustainable development. The President of the organisation, Chief Ugochukwu Nnam, gave the advice in an interview with theContinue Reading

Kogi plans N50bn sukuk to fast-track airport, market projects

By: Tosin Kolade

On: January 23, 2026

In: General News

With: 0 Comments

By Naomi Sharang Gov. Ahmed Ododo of Kogi on Thursday unveiled plans to raise a N50 billion sukuk bond to accelerate the state’s international airport and market projects. He said construction of the Kogi international airport and Lokoja international market would begin by March 2026. Ododo disclosed this at anContinue Reading

Follows Us

NAOWA empowers 202 barracks youths with ICT, fashion design skills (Page 410)