The Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA) on Monday, 21 December 2020, commissioned the NAFOWA Little Angels’ School, at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base, Bauchi.
Speaking during the Commissioning Ceremony, the Special Guest of Honour, the NAFOWA National President, Hajiya Hafsat Sadique Abubakar, said the decision to construct the NAFOWA Little Angels’ School Bauchi was borne out of the desire to contribute to the provision of qualitative early education for the children and wards of personnel at NAF Base Bauchi as well as surrounding host communities.
She noted that the NAFOWA Little Angels’ School Bauchi would complement the efforts of the NAF in meeting the welfare needs of personnel in the area of the educational requirements of children and wards.
Speaking further, Hajiya Abubakar explained that NAFOWA was focused on providing good education in a safe and secured environment.
“The Association is also focusing primarily on Creches and Daycare, Kindergarten, Nursery Schools and Special Needs Education, with the aim of building a solid educational foundation very early in life”, she said.
The NAFOWA National President, who was visibly impressed with the facility, commended the NAFOWA Chairperson, Special Operations Command (SOC), Mrs Jummai Ohwo, for the beautiful and laudable project, which was completed in a remarkably short period of time, despite challenges occasioned by the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Hajiya Abubakar charged the pioneer teachers and staff of the School to appreciate the sacrifices made to provide the school and maintain it adequately as their own. She also appreciated the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, for his unflinching support and encouragement to NAFOWA, whilst also lauding the contributions and support of the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) SOC, Air Vice Marshal Charles Ohwo, as well as other officers of SOC.
Earlier in her welcome address, the Chairperson, NAFOWA SOC Chapter, Mrs Jummai Ohwo, stated that, before now, the NAF Base Bauchi had all necessary social amenities, but lacked a crèche or kindergarten school. “Personnel’s families had to travel about 35km to access this vital stage of learning for their children. Education is the most powerful tool that can make most of our dreams come true, so it is a necessity and an investment that must be embraced with the seriousness it deserves,’’ she said.
Mrs Ohwo described the NAFOWA Little Angels’ School, Bauchi as an L-shaped block housing the Head Teacher’s Office, Staff Office, 5 classrooms, sickbay, changing room, computer room as well as a toilet facility, and furnished with modern learning tools. Mrs Ohwo also thanked the NAFOWA National President for her purposeful leadership and her zeal to help the less privileged.
The Ceremony was attended by NAFOWA National Committee members, Commands’ Chairpersons and Chairpersons of the Bauchi Chapters of Nigerian Army and Paramilitary Officers’ Wives Associations as well as SOC Principal Staff Officers and Commanders of collocated NAF Units in Bauchi, among others.