Army Wive Takes Family Planning Campaign To FCT IDP Camps

In celebration of the 2022 Nigerian Army Day Celebration, the Nigerian Army Officer Wives Association (NAOWA), Army Headquarters (AHQ) Garrison Chapter on Monday advised women in the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp in Durumi, FCT, to embrace family planning to ensure a better family life.

The NAOWA AHQ Garrison Coordinator, Asma’u Garba, said the problems of the IDPs saddens the association, hence the decision to visit with different relief materials.

“NAOWA is built on the principles and norms of the Nigerian Army and our motto is ‘Unity and Charity’.

"On this occasion of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2022, we strive to exemplify this by reaching out to the less-privileged, within and outside our environs.

"Durumi IDPs Camp has been chosen as the reach out location for the less-privileged to commemorate the Nigerian Army Day Celebration 2022.

“However, it is depressing to see people living in this kind of environment.

"I just pray that conditions of IDPs are improved all over Nigeria.

"It is touching. I will advise the IDPs not to lose hope.

”There is always light at the end of the tunnel, so we will continue to pray for them.

"This gesture will be as frequent as we have the relief materials.

"We will be visiting other IDPs camps too. These gifts are from our hearts. Nothing is too much for the IDPs.”

Also speaking, the wife of the military secretary, Maryam Abdussalam, said the NAOWA AHQ Garrison is making plans to ensure that the sufferings of the IDPs were ameliorated.

“I will advise the women to pay close attention to family planning.

"It is discouraging to know that despite the poor living conditions here, the women are still giving birth to plenty children.

"This is adding to their suffering. They should visit health clinics for family planning in order to give birth to fewer children.

"It is not fair to bring children into the world to suffer,” she said. 

On her part, the leader of the women in the IDP, Mrs Liyatu Ayuba, said that the plight of the IDPs remain a pathetic one, but that the relief materials from NAOWA AHQ Garrison will go a long way to ameliorate their sufferings, especially with Sallah celebration around the corner.

“Since I came to settle in this camp, I have never witnessed an occasion such as this.

"Can you imagine our camp receiving 30 bags of rice and numerous items for distribution to different households?

"Even government officials that used to come here have not donated something this big.

"This goes a long way to show that NAOWA AHQ Garrison cares for us.

"I don’t know where to start our gratitude, but God knows that we are really very grateful.

“We have really suffered a lot in this camp.

"I have assisted women in this camp to give birth to 218 children as a result of my expertise in traditional birth.

"It has been God helping us all the way. I implore government to emulate the NAOWA AHQ Garrison chapter in bringing succor to us, because it is not easy for us living here,” she said.