IKORODU MONARCH HOSTS NIGERIA ARMY OFFICERS WIVES ASSOCIATION (NAOWA), 81 DIVISION, ASSURES OF CORDIAL, SMOOTH RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MILITARY. We're determined to uplift the lives of the less privilege in our society, NAOWA President, Mrs Irefin reveals.

The Nigeria Army Officers Wives Association commonly known as NAOWA, was on Monday, October 7, 2019, paid a courtesy visit to HRM Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, at his multi million naira Palace, to familiarize themselves with the people of Ikorodu Division and more so, to thank the Monarch for his immensely supports and assistant giving to their husbands.

Among those present at the meeting were HRM Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, Her highness, Mrs. Kubirat Abosede Shotobi, NAOWA President, Mrs. Olayemi Elizabeth Irefin, Agbaakin of Ikorodu, Otunba (Sir) Ayodele Elesho, APC Chieftain, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, Iyaloja General, Ikorodu, Alhaja Taofeekat Allison, Queen of Olubeshe of Ibeshe land, Mrs Ogunsanya, Chief N.K Odusoga, Ikorodu Division Women of Substance, the Erelus, Osugbos, league of Baales, members of NAOWA, amongst others. 

The Agbaakin of Ikorodu Kingdom, Otunba (Sir) Ayodele Elesho, on behalf of the King welcomed the NAOWA members and everyone present, saying NAOWA has come to pay homage, receive royal blessings and familiarize themselves with Ikorodu Division and particularly Ikorodu community where an arm of the military department is attached. 

“We have had and we are still having very cordial and smooth relationship with the military, the king is someone who believes in doing things right and he has being doing so, and that shows that the people of Ikorodu Division are lovely people and whoever is posted or assigned to work with us in this Division would enjoy the hospitality of the people,” Elesho said.

In her eloquent address, the NAOWA Chairperson, Mrs. Olayemi Elizabeth Irefin, said, "It is customary that while the new divisional Chairperson resumes office, she must familiarize herself with information and relevant establishment within 81 Division, which justify the purpose of this visit.

"Our noble organization is a non governmental and nonprofit making organization, saddle with the responsibility of uplifting the lives of the less privilege and the vulnerable in our society, most especially the Barrack community. Our programmes are carefully designed and targeted at the welfare of women, youth, children and the less privilege. In the same vein, the association reaches out to widows, orphanages, old people homes, hospitals and prisons as a way of bringing succor to them. This programme can only be sustain with much needed supports and contributions towards them."

Mrs Irefin further added that NAOWA is committed in assisting the poor, needy and raising the standard of living in the barracks and host communities. She applauded the uncommon reception given to her members by the paramount ruler of Ikorodu Division, HRM Oba Kabir Shotobi.

The Oluomo of Igbogbo Kingdom and acting President of Ikorodu Division Women of Substance, Hon Adebimpe Akinsola, in her remarks appreciated Mrs Irefin and other members of NAOWA for there contributions towards making the community better for living. 

“We have some Directors in Lagos State Civil Service in our midst and one of the Directors is Mrs. Kemi Kalesanwo, a Director of Mass Education Agency in Lagos State. And we have a project in Ikorodu Division to work on and educate the older ones to be able to read and write and also bring on board the younger ones to engage them positively instead of engaging themselves in criminal activities, Akinsola said.

While explaining further, Mrs Kemi Kalesanwo said, “the agency is in charge of non formal education, and involve in vocational training. There about five(5) non formal vocational centre in Lagos State and one is suited in Ikorodu. The vocational centre in Ikorodu is actually being operated in a private hall and hasn’t given them the opportunity of expanding.  We were given a six room structure just behind the Palace but it’s in a dilapidated state.”

Kalesanwo however, pleaded with Oba Shotobi and NAOWA, which is known to be a non profit making organization but a philanthropic organization and NGO to support and help them in the training the young ones and the less privileges in Ikorodu Division. 

Mrs. Kemi Olusanya, wife of Chief Kaoli Olusanya, urged the NAOWA, Ikorodu Division Women of Substance and everyone in Ikorodu Division to come together and join hands as a team for the progress, upliftment and development of Ikorodu Division. In the same vein, the Iyaloja General of Ikorodu, Mrs. Taofeekat Allison, seek for an urgent overhead bridge in Ikorodu roundabout, saying the population is fast alarming. 

“The population in Ikorodu is quite explosive. On behalf of the King, we sent a presentation to the Lagos State Government asking for two(2) major overhead bridges in Ikorodu, one in Ogolonto and another at Benson B/Stop Ikorodu. This will reduce the heavy traffic and other problems at the round-about,” Elesho responded.

In his royal remarks, His Royal Majesty, Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi, thanked everyone present at the gathering. He pleaded with NAOWA and on behalf of Women of Substance, to please give a positive response to their request, While he gave his blessings to them all.

Ashipa Kaoli Olusanya performed the vote of thanks and affirmed that the purpose of this gathering is for the betterment of Ikorodu Division. He lauded the 174 Battalion for always being supportive concerning the evacuation of crimes and criminals in Ikorodu Division.

OLASOJI SEIDU,
Reporting for MegaXpression Community Magazine.
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