Abuja: The President of the Nigerian Correctional Officers Wives Association (NICOWA), Mrs Victoria Nwakuche, has called for a nationwide mobilisation of women to confront the deepening social challenges affecting Nigerian families and communities. The NICOWA president made the call at the association’s 2025 National Convention themed ‘Women Navigating Modern-Day Pressures: The Role of Women in Tackling Societal Issues’, held on Saturday in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mrs Nwakuche emphasised the increasing complexity of societal problems and the need for women to rise as critical drivers of change. She noted that the convention offered the association an opportunity to review its progress, reaffirm its purpose, and reposition itself for greater national impact. Women, she highlighted, now face heavier burdens than ever before, including economic strain, heightened social responsibilities, technological disruptions, and shifting cultural values, yet they continue to anchor family stability and national development.
Mrs Nwakuche stressed that the realities confronting correctional officers’ families reflect the broader national situation, showcasing the resilience required to sustain homes while spouses operate in intense security environments. She underlined that the convention was not merely an annual gathering but a call to action for women to lead efforts against critical societal threats such as drug abuse, youth delinquency, mental health struggles, gender-based violence, and poverty.
The NICOWA president affirmed the association’s commitment to prioritising women’s empowerment through skills acquisition, mentorship, counselling, and economic support programmes designed to help women thrive despite modern pressures. She expressed gratitude to special guests, partners, and supporters for their consistent contributions to the association’s mission, describing their support as vital to NICOWA’s expanding influence.
In his remarks, the Controller-General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Mr Sylvester Nwakuche, commended NICOWA for its crucial role in supporting officers and strengthening the Service through family stability. He applauded the NICOWA President for her dedication to the association and for convening a forum that unites women whose influence extends across homes, communities, and the nation.
Mr Nwakuche remarked that the theme of the convention reflects the complex realities women face in a rapidly changing society marked by shifting economic conditions, rising social expectations, and increasing emotional demands on families. He highlighted the unique challenges correctional officers’ families confront, including irregular duty schedules, frequent postings, emotional strain, and the responsibility of managing the home while spouses serve the nation.
Delivering a lecture on the NICOWA convention theme, the President of the League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV), Mrs Irene Awunah-Ikyegh, said women possess unique perspectives and resilience that position them as key drivers in addressing societal challenges across communities. According to her, this resilience is an essential quality needed to confront the social issues affecting communities. Awunah-Ikyegh commended NICOWA for providing a platform that strengthens women’s voices and equips them to address societal issues more effectively.