The Honourable Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development, Enugu State, Mrs. Ngozi Enih, has received a delegation of the Civil Defence Officers’ Wives Association (CDOWA), Enugu State Chapter at her office in Enugu. The delegation was led by the Chairperson of CDOWA and wife of the State Commandant of the NSCDC Enugu State Command, Dr. Mrs. Josephine Willie.

Following formal introductions, Dr. Mrs. Willie delivered a speech introducing CDOWA as a structured association of wives of officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), modeled after similar associations such as NAOWA, NAFOWA, and POWA. She noted that CDOWA exists in various states across the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, with the wife of the Commandant General serving as the National Chairperson.

She highlighted the Association’s key objectives, which include fostering unity, peace, and cooperation among members under the slogan “Peace at Home, Peace in the Nation.” CDOWA also engages in welfare support, community service, developmental projects, and empowerment programs aimed at enhancing the well-being of both its members and the larger society.

Dr. Mrs. Willie further outlined some of the notable achievements of the Enugu Chapter under her leadership, including organizing medical outreaches and health awareness campaigns that offer free medical services and education to communities; providing financial assistance to families of fallen officers; and hosting social events to promote bonding and happiness among the families of NSCDC personnel.

She emphasized that the visit was to seek strategic partnerships with the Ministry, particularly in areas of capacity building, advocacy for children’s rights and gender equality, and collaborative outreach programs. She also advocated for CDOWA’s inclusion in government grants and economic empowerment opportunities, and sought official state recognition for both the “NSCDC Female Squad and Safe School Initiative” as well as CDOWA itself, alongside existing wives’ associations of other military and paramilitary bodies.

In her response, the Honourable Commissioner, Mrs. Ngozi Enih, expressed her pleasure at the visit and commended the Chairperson for her eloquence and vision. “It takes a woman to truly understand another woman,” she remarked, acknowledging the importance and timeliness of CDOWA’s mission. She particularly praised the Association’s slogan, stating that peace at home indeed forms the bedrock of national peace.

She assured the delegation of the Ministry’s willingness to partner with CDOWA in advancing programs for women and children, and encouraged the Association to formally register with the Ministry to facilitate its inclusion in state-level initiatives and collaborations.

The visit concluded with a group photograph to commemorate the event.