Abuja: The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and the Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru, have praised the efforts of military and police officers’ wives in advancing quality education within the country. Their commendations were expressed at the Groundbreaking and Fundraising Ceremony for the Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA) College held in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Speaker, represented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Defence, Babajimi Benson, emphasized the importance of investing in education to secure the future of young Nigerians. He lauded DEPOWA’s leadership for prioritizing education and their commitment to establishing a school for the children of defense personnel. Abbas highlighted the significance of providing education as a lifelong legacy, noting DEPOWA’s initiative as a transformative step for numerous children.
He addressed the critical need for more educational facilities, citing the alarming statistic of 10.5 million Nigerian children aged five to 14 who are not enrolled in school. The Speaker affirmed that the proposed DEPOWA school would offer comprehensive facilities designed to enhance children’s development, aligning with the legislative agenda of the 10th House of Representatives.
Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru, echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the initiative as a testament to the military and police families’ dedication to nation-building. He praised DEPOWA’s leadership for their visionary approach and stated that the college would represent hope, excellence, and opportunity for service members’ children. Badaru urged stakeholders, government bodies, and the public to support the project generously, emphasizing the role of educated and disciplined generations in maintaining national peace and progress.
Both leaders assured their support for DEPOWA’s educational endeavors, with the Ministry of Defence pledging to facilitate the project’s timely completion.