Nation

DEPOWA Empowers 39 Military Widows, Vulnerable Youths

Published

5 years ago

December 16, 2020

Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA) has empowered 39 military widows and vulnerable barrack youths in Abuja through skill acquisition with starter packs and seed capital.
The President of DEPOWA, Mrs Omobolanle Olonisakin, disclosed this during the graduation of the batch 9 of DEPOWA Skill Acquisition Centre in Abuja yesterday.
Olonisakin said that the 39 beneficiaries, who were trained in different vacations, comprised 12 widows and 27 other vulnerable youths in the barracks.
She said that it was part of the association’s effort at prioritising the welfare and well-being of the widows of fallen heroes and the needy especially during this period.
She said the beneficiaries were trained in different fields such as tailoring, catering, soap making and hair dressing among others.
According to her, the centre has trained a total of 382 beneficiaries comprising 136 widows and 14 vulnerable youths since inception, adding that the beneficiaries were doing well in their trades.
Olonisakin said the trainees had been groomed to help secure their future as well as make them to become employers of labour and give livelihood to others.
She commended the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Gabriel Olonisakin, service chiefs, the Inspector General of Police and commandants of tri-service military Institutions for their financial and moral support.
“As it is our custom since the inception of this empowerment programme, the widows among you, will be given trade starter packs and an increased financial assistance to secure a shop,’’ she said.
The Chief of Defence Staff, represented by the Deputy Director, Civil Military Affairs, Brig.-Gen. Efe Edofiaghor, commended DEPOWA for its support in the fight against unemployment in the country.
Olonisakin urged the beneficiaries to adequately utilise the skills they had acquired in supporting themselves and their families as well as contributing to the nation’s economic development.
He pledged to sustain his support for DEPOWA in its humanitarian activities as well as continuous support for the widows and orphans of the deceased personnel of the armed forces.
“You must ensure proper utilisation of the skills by practicing the skills and be innovative in managing the starter packs given to you judiciously.
“This skill acquisition is going to assist them a lot to ensure that they cover up some gaps to take care of the home front in the absence of their husbands.
“With this skill acquisition given to our widows and other vulnerable youths in the barracks and the starter packs and money given, we are sure that a lot of gaps have been covered by DEPOWA on behalf of the armed forces of Nigeria.
“By next year, we expect a lot of testimonies from this set of graduates,’’ he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Victoria Okume, said that DEPOWA had helped in changing her story, adding that she had been empowered to cater for the needs of her family.
Okume said she had acquired requisite skills to start her business and pledged to ensure proper utilisation of the starter pack and the money to rent a shop.
“I know that I have been empowered to be able to take care of my immediate family to pay my children’s school fees, pay hospital bills and other things.
“I appreciate God for the life of DEPOWA President because she has been doing a lot for orphans and the less privilege among us.
“I know that with this starter pack, I will be an independent person because I will not have to go anywhere to look for help again,’’ she said.

Nation

Cleric Preaches Love As Deputy Governor, Chief Judge Grace Wedding In PH

Published

2 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Presiding Bishop of Kingdom Life Gospel Ministries Outreach, Port Harcourt, Bishop Victor Uzosike, has described love as the bedrock of human existence, family stability and societal harmony, stressing that without love, nothing meaningful can thrive.

Bishop Uzosike made this assertion while speaking to journalists during the wedding ceremony of his daughter, Praise Uzosike, to Architect Chibuzor Akubueze on Saturday, December 20, 2025. The solemnisation was held at the Kingdom Life Gospel Ministries Outreach, Port Harcourt, and was attended by dignitaries from across Nigeria and beyond.

According to the cleric, love is not only the foundation of relationships but also a powerful force that determines the success of individuals, families and communities.

“If you do not love a place, that place will not bless you. If you do not love your children, they will not be useful to you. If you do not love your family, your family will become a strange island to you. What you do not love, you do not have. Love is the key,” he said.

Reflecting on his family’s journey, Bishop Uzosike said God’s love had sustained them through seasons of challenges and triumphs, noting that unity had remained their greatest strength.

“We have stayed together as one family. God has shown us love in miraculous and mysterious ways, especially during difficult times,” he stated.

Describing the wedding as an amazing and beautiful experience, the bishop expressed appreciation for the show of love from his daughter’s friends, many of whom travelled from the United Kingdom and Ghana to attend the ceremony. He revealed that some of them personally paid for their flights and accommodation, which he described as a rare display of genuine friendship.

He also disclosed that his first daughter, who lives in Manchester, United Kingdom, with her husband, could not attend the wedding due to tight schedules, but noted that she remains happily married and fulfilled.

While thanking guests for honouring his family with their presence, prayers and goodwill, Bishop Uzosike said he felt proud and grateful to God.

“One of the greatest gifts God can give to a man is children who are sound in all ramifications. My children can see, hear, speak and walk. That alone is enough reason to be grateful,” he said.

He praised the bride, describing Praise as an exceptional achiever who had distinguished herself academically. According to him, she completed secondary school at 15, graduated with First Class honours at 19, and earned distinctions in her MBA as well as her first and second master’s degrees.

“For a long time, people believed that highly educated women may not marry early or at all. Today, Praise has proved otherwise. She has made her mother and me very proud,” he said, describing her as a rare gem.

Bishop Uzosike also expressed joy over his son-in-law, whom he described as God-fearing, disciplined and professionally sound.

“He is well brought up, passionate about God and morally upright. His parents did a great job. My wife, Pastor Esther, also did an excellent job,” he added.

The wedding ceremony attracted prominent personalities, including the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Prof. Ngozi Odu; the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Justice Matilda Ayemeyie; and several senior clerics.

Bishop Fidelis Ugbong officiated the solemnisation, while Apostle Chika Onuzo delivered the sermon, identifying communication, sex and money as key factors that can strengthen or weaken marriages.

Prof. Ngozi Odu also prayed for the couple and paid glowing tributes, drawing admiration from attendees.

The reception, held at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Port Harcourt, was equally colourful. Justice Matilda Ayemeyie proposed the toast, describing marriage as not always a bed of roses and emphasising patience, commitment and understanding.

The event was chaired by Chief Henry Nwabugo and attended by notable personalities, including retired Supreme Court Justice Mary Odili; Apostle David Zilly-Aggrey; Hon. Otunba Jumbo; Nze Best Anele; and Prof. Henry Ogiri, among others.

Guests were entertained with dance performances by the couple, while the parents’ outing added elegance to the celebration. The master of ceremonies, Ambassador Kingsley, kept the audience engaged with humour and interactive sessions.

Overall, the wedding was a remarkable blend of spirituality, culture and celebration, marked by love, joy and unforgettable moments.

Nation

Firefighters battle New Year Day inferno in Abuja, several states

Published

1 week ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Federal Fire Service FFS entered the New Year on full operational alert, tackling multiple fire outbreaks across the country from midnight into the early hours of January 1, 2026, in what officials described as one of the busiest festive-season deployments in recent years.

The intensified nationwide response followed a December 2025 directive issued by the Controller General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, who had ordered that no firefighter should proceed on leave throughout the holidays.

According to a statement by the National Public Relations Officer and Head of Corporate Services of the FFS, DCF Paul Abraham, the no-leave policy proved critical as the Service moved swiftly to contain fires in several states.

The Federal Capital Territory FCT recorded its first fire incident of the year barely twenty-three minutes after midnight when flames erupted at Cake Hot Restaurant located within River Plate Park, Wuse, Abuja.

Abraham said fire crews from the Federal Fire Service and the FCT Fire Service arrived promptly and were able to stop the blaze before it could spread through the popular recreational centre.

While a section of the garden area was destroyed, no lives were lost and no injuries were recorded.

Officials said property worth an estimated ?1.5 billion was saved, although losses were placed at about ?500 million.

“Preliminary findings suggested that the fire was triggered by objects thrown during New Year celebrations, reinforcing long-standing warnings over the dangers posed by fireworks during the harmattan season”, the Service said.

The Controller General had repeatedly urged Nigerians to avoid fireworks, candles and open flames indoors, warning that the dry winds characteristic of the season allow fires to spread rapidly.

He also warned the public about electrical faults and power surges and advised that electrical appliances be switched off and unplugged when not in use or when occupants leave their homes, stressing that overloading sockets and extension boxes remains a significant cause of domestic fires.

Nation

Enugu North LG chairman presents ?10.8bn 2026 Budget, prioritises roads …Security, Healthcare, Human Capital Development

Published

1 week ago

January 2, 2026

The Tide

Chairman of Enugu North Local Government Area in Enugu State, Dr. Ibenaku Harford Onoh, has presented a Ten Billion Eight Hundred Million Naira (?10.8bn) 2026 budget to the legislative council of the local government.

The budget, tagged “Budget of Continued Growth and Consolidation,” was presented on Wednesday during a plenary session attended by councillors, department heads, and other stakeholders.

Dr. Onoh explained that the 2026 budget is designed to consolidate achievements recorded in 2025 while scaling up development across the council’s 13 wards. Priority areas include road infrastructure, grassroots security, healthcare delivery, youth empowerment, and digital governance.

He also reviewed the 2025 budget performance, highlighting significant revenue growth and successful completion of key projects. Notably, the council’s internally generated revenue more than doubled, attributed to the introduction of digital revenue collection platforms and other innovative measures.

Among the 2025 achievements, Dr. Onoh mentioned the reconstruction of major roads at European Quarters, Hilltop, Coal Camp, and Ukwa Street, Ihewuishi, as well as the upgrade of the local security architecture through the reorganisation of the neighbourhood watch into “The City Watch.”

On the 2026 budget, the chairman stated that projected revenue would come from statutory allocations, VAT, internally generated revenue, and counterpart funding through public-private partnerships.

He noted that capital expenditure would take the larger share of the budget, with over half allocated to the economic sector. Planned projects include:

Completion of transport terminals at Aria Market

Construction and reconstruction of urban roads

Establishment of two sports centres

Healthcare interventions

Youth skills development programmes.

Dr. Onoh emphasised that the projects, policies, and programmes outlined in the budget are aimed at complementing the initiatives of Governor Peter Ndubisi Mbah, who is setting standards for local government councils to follow.

Responding, the Leader of the Legislative Council, Rt. Hon. Chizoba Nnamani, said the budget would be carefully scrutinised in the interest of residents before its passage.