A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) made up of wives of serving officers of the Nigerian Air Force, (NAFOWA) on Thursday donated relief items worth thousands of naira to the less privileged, widows and others in Osogbo, Osun state capital as part of its obligation and corporate social responsibility to the society.
Speaking at the association’s humanitarian outreach programme in commemoration of its 59th-anniversary celebration held at the Technical College, Osogbo, the national president of the union, Mrs Elizabeth Olubunmi Amao, remarked that, “I am donating these relief items to our sisters present here today as part of our obligation and corporate social responsibility”.
“While these may not completely address all your challenges, we hope that they go a long way to complement your efforts in supporting your children and other dependants in your care.”
Amao who stated that the relief items aimed at providing succour to the good people of Osun State, posited that, “we are committed to ensuring that we bring attention to the plights of women, children and the underprivileged, especially widows.
“We are also determined to provide succour to widows to the best of our ability. For that reason, we celebrate you all on this special day of the Nigerian Air Force 59 years anniversary, even as we vow to do so regularly.
“It is hoped that at the end of today, we would have drawn public attention to your challenges. We hope that by so doing, many more people and organizations will positively influence and impact widows and their children, not just in Osogbo but all over the nation.
“As an Association, our vision is driven by our motto, which is ‘Service to Humanity’. Hence the overall objective of the Association is to promote the welfare and wellbeing of its members, the public and the less privileged in society.
“This objective is achieved through the education of our children, women empowerment through skills acquisition, giving succour to the less privileged in the society and performing both humanitarian/medical outreaches.”
While commenting on how the association has contributed immensely to the growth of humanity, she disclosed that “over the years, the Association has sustained its drive and efforts in touching lives in this regard.”
“As the current President of NAFOWA, my aim is not only to consolidate on past gains made by our association but to also create new opportunities and explore possibilities where women, widows and youths would form the core focus of our efforts, especially in addressing issues related to unemployment, underemployment and widows’ empowerment.
“In line with our association’s motto, we have over the past few months carried out several programs, a few of which includes: Building and equipping of NAFOWA Nursery and Primary School in Abuja, the building of the first ultra-modern NAFOWA Secondary School in Abuja with top class and high standard science/ computer laboratory and art studio.
“Others are rehabilitation and expansion of many other NAFOWA Schools across the country, renovating and equipping the NAFOWA Vocational and ICT Center in Lagos with new computers, gas cookers for the catering students, rehabilitation of the photo studio and total structural uplift amongst others.”
She, however, expressed her appreciation to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao (CFR) for his support and guidance in ensuring the success of this event and further thanked the state governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, the Principal Director Air Force Research and Development Centre Osogbo: Air Vice Marshal Onilede, the commanding officer 6041 force protection wing squadron leader Marafa, the organizing committee, NAFOWA coordinators and members form Ipetu and Ibadan chapters for the success of the programme.
In his own speech at the occasion, the state governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke commended the organisers of the programme he described as societal developers and prayed to God to strengthen them more to be able to add more values to people in the society.
Speaking through his wife who is the first lady in the state, Mrs Titilayo Adeleke, the governor promised to always partner with the association to ensure needy ones in the society are adequately given attention.
Adeleke who stressed that her husband is an epitome and harbinger of people-oriented programmes, called on other well-meaning Nigerians in the society to also emulate the good deeds of the association and contribute their own quotas also to the advancement of humanity.
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