The President, Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs Oghogho Gwabin Musa was the Special Guest of Honour (SGOH) at the Nigerian Defence Academy hospital to commission the maternity centre today, 4th March, 2024. The maternity centre which is named after Barrister Mrs Vickie Anwuli Irabor, the 14th President of DEPOWA, was present to commission the maternity centre.
The Coordinator, Nigerian Defence Academy Officers Wives Association NDAOWA, Mrs Ruth Ochai ably represented by the assistant coordinator, Mrs Ngozi Aneke, gave the welcome address and thanked Mrs Vicky Irabor for conceptualising the project and further thanked the President DEPOWA for completing the project with World class medical equipments. She further stated that the Maternity centre stands as a testament to the collective efforts of those involved in its planning, construction, and realization from the past and present visionary leaders who recognized the need for such a facility, is a reflection of the values they hold dear which are compassion, empathy, solidarity and the belief that every mother deserves access to safe and dignified maternity care, regardless of their circumstances.
Major General JO Ochai thanked the SGOH and the immediate past President DEPOWA for for attending the event. He appreciated Barr. Vickie Anwuli Irabor for identifying a need and initiating the project. He further applauded Mrs Oghogho Gwabin Musa for concluding the project initiated by her predecessor within seven months of assuming office. He added that the Maternity centre will enhance the Welfare of soldiers Wives and generations yet unborn.
Barrister Mrs Vickie Anwuli Irabor in her goodwill message noted that the commissioning of the maternity centre brings hope and serves as a means to payback to Military Wives and soldiers who sometimes at midnight leave NDA barracks to 44 hospital or Airforce base to seek maternity services. She thanked the President DEPOWA for being magnanimous in completing and furnishing the maternity centre.
The President DEPOWA, Mrs Oghogho Gwabin Musa in her remarks thanked the mother of the nation, distinguished Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her leadership and further thanked her king, General Christopher Gwabin Musa for his unwavering support in her activities. She noted that the maternity centre aims to provide the best possible care to expectant mothers and safe delivery for all. She stated that health care ranked high from the needs assessment carried out upon assumption of office, hence it was most benevolent to complete the project initiated by the immediate past President DEPOWA through equipping the maternity ward which is in line with her vision of DEPOWA to see women and girls become productive contributors to family and society driven by a deep sense of values and hardworking spirit.
Also in attendance were Principal Staff Officers, Commander NDA Hospital, senior officers of the Academy;
Members of the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association, Members of the Nigerian Defence Academy Officers Wives Association , members of NAOWA, NAFOWA, NOWA. Wives of personnels, Academy Regimental Sergeant Major; Airmen and Air Women.
Highlights of the event were the commissioning of the Vicky Irabor maternity hospital, tour of the maternity hospital, signing of visitors book, group photographs, and presentation of plaques.
