It was a scene of joy and excitement as the Senate Chief Whip, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu on Tuesday made a donation of one bag of rice each to 25 widows of soldiers at 14 Brigade, Ohafia, who died in the course of fighting enemies of the country.
He also extended his generosity to members of Nigeria Army Officers Wives Association by announcing a cash donation of N300,000 to them.
Addressing the widows and members of the Nigeria Army Officers’ Wives Association and Nigeria Army Soldiers’ Wives Association, Kalu said the donation would ease the survival of the widows.
The former Abia governor was at the 14 Brigade Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Barracks, Headquarters of Nigerian Army, Ohafia on the invite of the Brigade Commander Solomon Kumapayi.
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Senator Kalu was received by the Commander, Brig. Gen Solomon Kumapayi with a full Quarter Guard.
Our correspondent gathered that Sen. Kalu was at the Brigade to identify with the widows of the Nigerian Army whose late husbands paid the Supreme price in defence on the nation, the Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA ) and the Nigerian Army Soldiers Wives Association (NASOWA).
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Wife of Brigadier Kumapayi Mrs. Abiola Kumapayi who spoke on behalf of NAOWA expressed gratitude to Kalu for the foodstuffs donated to the women groups.
The coordinator of 14 Brigade of NAOWA highlighted the challenges as well as efforts put in place to support the women groups most especially the widows.
“We have the “Magajiyas” and the Widows in our midst since 2019 when the Brigade commander came on board we instituted programmes to support ourselves. We recognise the challenges that we women have been facing by the virtue of the war going on and we found out that most of our women are at the receiving end most especially when the head of the family is no more”, said Mrs. Abiola.
She continued “As women, we have the children and entire home to take care of, so for the last one and half years we have carried out numerous welfare activities for them. We had the “back to school” programme in 2019, where we gave out free school stationeries like bags, books and shoes because we didn’t want the women to bear the burden alone.
We also gave them welfare packages to the women to celebrate Christmas and we also paid school fees for the children. In terms of business “We have two Keke NAPEP and two motorbikes which we use to engage in transportation business on behalf of the association which we use in generating funds from and we also get donations from people like you whenever they come on visitation. We are very grateful for your coming and we have received the gift with thanks that you brought for us, she concluded.
Kalu in his response directed the immediate provision of 10 motorcycles to assist the association’s transportation business in addition to the supply of 10 sewing machines. Senator Kalu also donated bags of rice to Officers and Soldiers wives and each to the widow. Additionally, Kalu doled cash to the three women groups and the sum of N500, 000 to the officer’s MESS and N200,000 to the Soldiers Club.
“When I was asked to visit by the Brigade Commander Kumapayi, my initial major purpose was to see the widows and the second purpose was to greet the wives of the Army officers.
“It is not easy to be a woman rendered a widow and you have not committed any offence because your husband signed to defend his nation. I genuinely sympathise with you. May God in His mercies sustain you as you struggle day and night to overcome the challenges of life,” He says.
He continued; “On my entry into the Barracks I saw some things in place and I would like to partner with you in those areas. I am not here today as the Chief Whip but as Senator representing you people in Abia North to see things by myself and see how we can assist and encourage you people in securing not just our constituency but the entire state.
“It’s an honour to be a member of the Nigerian Army and to defend your country. Officers and men of the Nigerian army should never allow tribalism to come into the army. They should not allow religion or any other factor divide the army and at all times your loyalty must remain with the commander in chief and the Chief of Army Staff.
I am very proud of what I have seen in terms of the number of things put in place by the Brigade, I saw multiple Solar powered boreholes, a lot of senior officer’s houses.
“I also appreciate the NAOWA and NASOWA for their sacrifices in allowing your husbands to continue fighting for the country especially the fight in Northeast, Northwest and all other areas in their battle to keep the nation United, it is indeed a huge sacrifice. I want to encourage you all, it’s difficult to see men leaving their wives in order to go and defend their country, I also want to thank the officers for the great pride they take in wearing our uniform. It’s an honour to be a member of the Nigerian Army and to defend your country”, Kalu said.
