DEPOWA Chief Speaks Out on Military Family Welfare

Stable, well-supported families could be the secret weapon behind a more effective military, according to a top voice in Nigeria's defence community.

Speaking at a child welfare event hosted by the National Defence College Officers' Welfare Association in Abuja, Mrs Mernan Oluyede, President of the Defence and Police Officers' Wives Association (DEPOWA), argued that the wellbeing of military families directly shapes how effectively personnel can serve.

Her point is straightforward: soldiers who know their children are safe, educated and emotionally supported are better able to focus on their duties. Military life brings constant disruption like deployments, long separations and frequent moves, and Oluyede says this puts real strain on spouses and children left to manage the upheaval.

She linked this family stability to something bigger than individual households. Resilient homes, she suggested, build more resilient personnel, which in turn strengthens the institutions responsible for national security.

Oluyede also raised a growing concern many parents will recognise: children's safety online. She urged caregivers to stay alert to cyberbullying, harmful content and other digital risks, calling for open communication at home so children feel able to talk about what they encounter online.

The event's coordinator, Mrs Hauwa Ahmed, reinforced the message that child welfare isn't just a family issue. It equally requires input from schools, communities, government and religious bodies working together.

Should militaries be doing more to formally support families, or is this a responsibility that sits with parents alone? Share your thoughts below.

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