The federal government says the wives and children left behind by the deceased military personnel deserve a new lease of life through skills training.
It also said empowerment of Nigerian women and children, especially the girl child, holds the key to national development.
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The Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs Pauline Tallen, stated this in Abuja Wednesday at the graduation ceremony of Batch 10 trainees of Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA).
She, however, pledged that the ministry would continue to partner with the association in the realisation of its goal of women empowerment as enshrined in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“No doubt, an empowered woman adds value to her household and is able to live above the daily hurdles of life.
“Skill is the most valuable asset in life that can never be stolen and will help you in every aspect of life,” the minister said.
Earlier, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, lauded DEPOWA for the initiative to empower widows and less-privileged among members of the armed forces.
In her remarks, the president of DEPOWA said the association had successfully trained 40 beneficiaries in the batch 10 of its Skill Acquisition Centre (DSAC).
She said the military lifestyle had imposed unique challenges for its families, ranging from long separations, frequent moves, inconsistent training schedules, late nights, physical and mental trauma and in extreme cases, death.
According to her, they have been trained in different vocations such as fashion designing, catering, hairdressing, make-up and Gele-tying, barbing, production, computer studies and bead stringing.
She said that DEPOWA had provided starter packs for the various trades in addition to some cash to pay for one-year rents for the shops,” she said.
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