The newly appointed President of the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs Mernan Oluyede, has pledged to prioritise the welfare of military and police families, with a special focus on widows, orphans, and families of fallen heroes.
Mrs Oluyede who is the 16th President of the Association, made the pledge during the handing and taking over ceremony held in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
She described the event as not just a formal transition of leadership, but the continuation of a noble mission to uplift and empower the families that stand behind Nigeria’s security institutions.
Mrs Oluyede stated that “as officers, soldiers, police personnel, airmen and sailors dedicate their lives to securing the country, DEPOWA must remain the “shield behind the shield” to protect and strengthen the families who stand behind frontline defenders of the nation.”
She promised that her leadership would prioritise strengthening family welfare and community resilience, comprehensive support for widows and orphans of fallen heroes, enhanced psychosocial and mental-health services, as well as expanded medical and humanitarian outreaches across military and police communities.
According to her, “the new administration will also focus on women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship, digital capacity building, improved childcare and educational facilities within barracks communities, and deeper collaboration with government, the private sector and international humanitarian institutions.”
Mrs Oluyede expressed appreciation to the outgone DEPOWA President, Mrs Oghogho Musa, for her dedicated service, impactful initiatives and unwavering support to military and police families.
She also acknowledged former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (rtd), whose leadership “strengthened the foundation for welfare programmes in the Defence community.”
Mrs Oluyede affirmed that DEPOWA would continue to work united with NAOWA, NOWA, NAFOWA and POWA as one sisterhood of service.
She stressed that her administration is committed to sustaining continuity, driving wider impact, stronger advocacy and achieving lasting transformations across military and police family communities nationwide.
The outgone President of the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs Oghogho Musa expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve..
Mrs Musa promised that she remains available to support whenever called upon, stressing that true leadership is measured by the lives one uplifts and the love one leaves behind.
Mrs Musa, who served as DEPOWA President for over two years, said “the journey shaped and strengthened her belief in purposeful service, unity, and compassion, adding that the association shared moments of joy, learning, and growth together as women called to a special assignment of supporting military and police families “
She appreciated all DEPOWA members, sisters, executives, coordinators, committee leads and volunteers whose dedication, creativity, sacrifices and teamwork helped sustain the association’s vision, noting that their contribution made the mission lighter and the impact greater.
Reflecting on her achievements, Mrs Musa highlighted women empowerment, skills-building initiatives, health support programmes and interventions targeted at children in barracks communities as major achievements recorded under her leadership, alongside the flagship project DEPOWA College which she described as a legacy initiative designed to equip children with knowledge, character, opportunities and leadership values.
Mrs Musa also recalled strategic international engagements in Senegal and Rwanda, which she said; “strengthened institutional partnerships and expanded cross-border collaboration for the benefit of military families.
She said such relationships would continue to yield positive outcomes in the years ahead.
Mrs Musa further appreciated her husband, former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa (Rtd), for his unwavering support throughout her tenure, and said “she was leaving office peacefully and joyfully, confident that DEPOWA remains in the hands of capable women who will lead with wisdom, unity and grace.”
Mrs Musa gave awards to her executives for doing wonderfully well and others.
Olusola Akintonde