AFRDC: GOC task women groups on widows, orphans welfare Maj. Gen. Ibikunle Ajose, the General Officer Commanding GOC, 8 Division of Nigerian Army Sokoto, has sought the collaboration of women associations on widows and orphans welfare schemes.
Ajose made the call at a lecture organized by the division part of 2025 Nigerian Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration (AFRDC) on Tuesday in Sokoto.
He emphasised that Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA), Soldiers Wives Association and Welfare Committee are critical in inculcating discipline, economic empowerment of women and children.
He explained that groups needed to intensify campaign on sensitization on marriage and family values, proper children upbringing and other issues for productive leavings.
According to him, more resources ought to be invested in supporting women and children with high concentration to widows and orphans in Army formations.
” We need increased strategies on addressing
developmental challenges from state and non stare actors on managing crisis and confronting the servicemen while on duty and after duty.
” Members of the armed forces are on various fronts making huge sacrifices to keep the nation safe and secure.
‘’ We must continue to honour our fallen heroes by making our contributions to the forging of unity and enhancing peaceful co-existence in our respective communities,’’ he added.
Ajose enjoined servicemen to ensure inserting their right spouses names as Next of Kin (NOK) in their documents inorder to forestall incontinences being encountered after the death of personnel.
The GOC stressed that there was no value for couples to live with an untrusted persons and advised service personnels to rectify anomalies during their livetime.
The Guest Speaker, Cpt. Dabotaribo Henry, dwelled regulatory provisions of Armed Forces on administration of death benefits of personnel, welfare packages of children and other entitlements.
Henry listed the requirements needed for smooth claims of personnel death benefits, locations or points claims and cautioned personnel on inserting responsible NOK and filling of bank details.
In her presentation on the lawful provisions roles of widows and deceased children, the Chairperson of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Sokoto State Branch, Ms Rasheeda Muhammad, called for more vigilant on selecting NOK.
Muhammad highlighted that wife remain the best person to present at NOK, stressing that many instances brothers and other relatives mismanage decreased properties abd resources after death, leaving wife and children in difficult situation.
The Newsmen reports that the event witnessed questions and answers from widows of fallen heros, veterans and orphans on accessing benefits and other support enshrined by Nigerian Army.
The event was witnessed by Garrison Commabder, Brig. Gen. Alex Tawasini, Brig. Gen. Amadike Unaogu and other dignitaries.
Meanwhile, the Division offered medical outreach service to about 5,000 persons in Gidan Gabas, Dange/Shuni local government of Sokoto state.
Ajose, who was represented by the Commander of 78 Brigade Supply and Transport, Brig. Gen. Ogbonnaya Igwe, said the gesture is part of the Nigerian Army traditions.
Igwe said the medical team came with adequate drugs to cater for the population.
The Commandant of Medical Hospital and Services, Brig. Gen. Austin Okafor, said the medical services covered testing and treatment of malaria and hypertension.
Okafor said others included visual and eye treatment, provision of eye glasses as well as dental services, diabetes screening and pediatric services.
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