By Ismail Shuaib
ABUJA: The Civil Defence Officers’ Wives Association CDOWA, Federal Capital Territory FCT Command, has launched a food distribution programme aimed at supporting widows of fallen heroes of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC, alongside officers’ families.
The outreach, held on Wednesday at the NSCDC FCT Command Headquarters, was flagged off by the CDOWA FCT Chairperson, Mrs Bolanle Olayinka Odumosu, who described the initiative as more than food relief. She emphasized that it represents “love, unity, and mutual support within the Civil Defence community.”
Chief Executive Officer of Food Bank Naija, Kingsley Nnaji said the initiative will now be on a monthly basis.
According to Mrs Odumosu, no fewer than 450 beneficiaries—including CDOWA members, widows of fallen officers, and serving personnel—will benefit under the Food Support Outreach Programme.
This month’s outreach, themed “Women and Economic Survival: Creative Paths to Family Sustainability,” featured a lecture on women empowerment, resilience, and innovative strategies for navigating today’s economic challenges.
Mrs. Odumosu expressed optimism that the initiative would equip women with practical survival skills, strengthen families, and promote sustainable livelihoods. She noted that this was the third major outreach under her leadership in the last two years, underscoring CDOWA’s sustained commitment to welfare and empowerment.
She commended FoodBank Naija for partnering with CDOWA to make the food distribution possible and acknowledged the encouragement of the association’s National President, Hajia Aishatu Ahmed Audu.
The CDOWA FCT Chairperson also paid tribute to her husband, the NSCDC FCT Commandant, for his “behind-the-scenes” support that made the outreach successful.
Reiterating CDOWA’s pledge to stand by the widows of NSCDC fallen heroes, Mrs. Odumosu encouraged women to remain innovative and resilient.
“As women, we are the backbone of our families and communities. We must think creatively, explore new opportunities, and use what we have learnt today to forge stronger families and uplift one another,” she said.
