HOME FRONT NAFOWA to train 150 barracks widows, youth in Kaduna

The Nigerian Air Force Officers Wives Association (NAFOWA) has launched a skills acquisition programme for 150 widows and youth in the NAF base community in Kaduna State.

The NAFOWA National President, Hajiya Hafsatu Sadique Abubakar, at the opening ceremony of the programme, said the gesture was aimed at providing support to families of air force personnel, especially those engaged in fighting insurgency in the North East.

She noted that with the current insurgency in the zone, there is the need for women to be encouraged to seek alternative in providing for their daily needs.

The NAFOWA national president also emphasised that the current economic reality in the country demands that women must be innovative in sourcing for means of gainful employment.

She said the programme has already commenced in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, and Makurdi, Benue State, at the NAF bases adding that, 150 youth and women have been trained in various skills and trades including tailoring, hairdressing, barbing, catering, soap making, computer training, aluminium works and production of leather bags and shoes.

She said: “The Kaduna programme is the third so far in NAF bases across the country. The programme was developed to complement the federal government’s efforts at curbing unemployment amongst youth and women.

“The primary aim is to build capacity and develop entrepreneurial skills amongst barracks youth and women with a view to making them selfsufficient and income earners especially, with the current economic reality in our society which demands that we must be innovative in sourcing for means of gainful employment.

“In the instances where white collar jobs are not readily available, our women and youth should be encouraged to seek viable alternatives in providing for their daily needs and supporting their families. The insurgency in the North East has also led to the loss of some patriots leading to the need to teach widows to fend for themselves and their families.”

In her speech, the NAFOWA chairperson, Training Command Chapter, Kaduna, Mrs. Grace Balogun, while appreciating the efforts of the national president advised the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity given to them to better their lives.

She also implored the trainers to do their best and empower the participants with good skills and training so that they come out as super entrepreneurs.