About NAOWA
The Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) is a philanthropic, Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) whose membership is only through a legitimate marriage to a serving commissioned officer of the Nigerian Army. NAOWA began in the 1950s as Army Wives Association (AWA) when the British officers were in control of the colonial Nigerian Army. Mrs Welby Everald the wife of the then Army Chief of Staff, Gen Welby Everald was the first National President of the Association. She encouraged officers’ wives to donate to orphanages, thus forming the basis for the modern aim and objectives of the Association. On attainment of Nigeria’s republican status in 1963 the nomenclature was changed to Nigerian Army Officer’s Wives Association (NAOWA). Mrs Victoria Aguiyi Ironsi was the first indigenous President of the Association.
The Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) is a philanthropic, Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) whose membership is only through a legitimate marriage to a serving commissioned officer of the Nigerian Army.
NAOWA began in the 1950s as Army Wives Association (AWA) when the British officers were in control of the colonial Nigerian Army. Mrs Welby Everald the wife of the then Army Chief of Staff, Gen Welby Everald was the first National President of the Association.
Mrs Salamatu F Yahaya is the current President Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA). She holds a Master of Arts Degree in Literature in English from the prestigious Usman Danfodio University Sokoto in addition to her other academic certificates. She is an Assistant Director of Human Resource Management at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) HeadquartersAbuja.
With many years of experience in the Commission, she is a BRIDGE accredited workshop facilitator whose inputs and dedication to duty, earned her several awards and recognitions among wtich are; recipient of INC commendation letter for exemplary conduct in 2011, awardee for outstanding performance INEC Headquarters for the year 2017 as well as a recipient of many other recognitions for humanitarian, capacity development and selfless service.
To invest funds or expenditure in such manner as shall promote the attainment of the aims and objectives of NAOWA.
To provide education of the highest possible academic standard and internationally recognized professional excellence in various fields of science and technology.
To promote, organize, establish, finance, administer, manage and maintain technical/professional colleges, universities, research laboratories, libraries, and institutions of learning for imparting knowledge and for undertaking studies and research for the advancement of science and technology.
To publish newspaper, magazine, journals and other publications for instructions and imparting useful knowledge.
To undertake self-help projects, social welfare programmes and vocational training, care for the members of the association in time of need, organize and assist baby welfare clinic as well as family planning clinics also supplement Army welfare programmes for its troops and their family in any way possible.
To carry out philanthropic and social activities such as visits to motherless babies homes, the handicapped, the disabled home and SOS villages.
To broaden the knowledge and outlook of members by organizing and participating in seminars/workshop, symposia and tours both within and outside Nigeria.
To organize games and sporting events for the physical and mental well-being of members.
To foster the bond of friendship, promote cordial relationship and enhance unity among Nigerian Army Officers Wives.
To undertake activities in health, environment, tourism, family planning, reproductive health, education, poverty alleviation, human rights, women rights and child rights.
To undertake support and subsidize measures, programmed, plans and schemes for barracks uplift socio-economic welfare and modernization of Nigerian Army barracks especially in health and education.
Strengthening women participation in developmental activities in Nigerian Army barracks and the public.
To address poverty through education and skills training and with special focus on vulnerable and marginalized group like women and children.
To act as consultants and advisors in health, education, poverty alleviation, human rights, women rights, (including but not restricted to gender equality, domestic violence, empowerment of women etc), child rights (child labour, child sexual abuse etc), environment, family planning, reproductive health, mother and child health care, income generation, vocational training etc, refugees, displaced persons, children in jails and other allied activities.
NAOWA began in the 1950s as Army Wives Association (AWA) when the British officers were in control of the colonial Nigerian Army. Mrs Welby Everald the wife of the then Army Chief of Staff, Gen Welby Everald was the first National President of the Association.