Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Awwal Gambo, on Friday laid foundation for the construction of the Naval Officers Wives’ Association (NOWA) Event Centre in Admiralty Estate, Navy Town Asokoro.

Gambo also inaugurated NOWA Shopping Complex in Navy Barracks Kuje.

He said that the projects were part of the NOWA’s giant strides and numerous contributions to the well-being of the service and wider society.

Gambo identified one of the landmark projects of the organisation as the ongoing 200-bed Women and Children Hospital that NOWA commenced construction in June 2022.

“Again, today we are here on 1.9 hectares of land to initiate the construction of NOWA event center at the Admiralty Estate, Asokoro.

“I consider this project and others as direct interventions in support of Nigerian Navy’s welfare objectives,” the CNS said.

He added that the state-of-the-art event center would provide comfortable and secure environment for personnel and their families when completed.

“In addition, the edifice on completion is expected to provide affordable and accessible facility with associated services to meet personal needs.

“Fortunately, various welfare projects of NOWA are enduring legacies which have endeared the leadership of the association to well-meaning and good spirited individuals across Nigeria, especially as a key contributor to national development,” he said.

The naval chief added that the center would boost socio cultural interactions that would enhance the morale of personnel and their families, as well as civilian population.

Gambo also hailed the association’s commitment to providing quality education and vocational training, as well as charitable and economic empowerment programmes for women, orphans and children.

In her speech, the President of NOWA and Wife of the CNS, Hajiya Nana Gambo, said the projects were conceived to promote socioeconomic life, love, harmony and well-being of wives of naval personnel and their families.

She said that when completed, the centre would host weddings, concerts, corporate and nonprofit events and meetings, as well as skills development programmes.

“Accordingly, here we are starting heavy investment projects that will certainly express and define an important landmark in the life of the NOWA family.”

The centre being built on 1.9 hectares of land will have the capacity to host 1,200 people, and will have lounges and skills development centre.

Mrs Gambo who acknowledged and appreciated the support of the naval chief, said that the shopping complex in Kuje would boost economic activities in the barrack.

The President, Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association, Mrs Salamatu Yahaya, congratulated the NOWA President for conceptualising the projects to boost socio-economic activities

Source: News Agency of Nigeria