The Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), 9 Brigade Zone held the 11th Graduation Ceremony and Prize Giving Day of NAOWA Crèche, Nursery and Primary School, TA Lagbaja Cantonment, Ikeja at the Command Day Secondary School hall on 25 July 2025.
Delivering her remarks virtually, the Zonal Coordinator NAOWA 9 Brigade Zone, Mrs Olubukola Olayinka Oyekola appreciated the leadership of the President NAOWA, Mrs Mernan Femi Oluyede for giving the school the platform to provide quality and affordable education for the families of officers and soldiers including immediate community in Ikeja. She equally thanked the parents and teachers for their painstaking efforts in tutoring, modeling and supporting the school in graduating such great minds. She said the pupils have not just learned from the books but also practical lessons that will prepare them for the journey ahead. Further, she remarked that the pupils have learned the importance of bonding, the art of showing gratitude, love, the strength of friendship, the power of oneness and charity, and the courage to stand for what is right. In her words to the graduands, ” as you step out today, I look forward to a great future for you. This is not the end but the beginning of a new phase of your life. The moral values and educational knowledge you have gained here in NAOWA School, Ikeja is the foundation upon which your future successes are to be built.” She admonished them to embrace the spirit of love, oneness, and the dedication to serve humanity.
The Special Guest of Honour for the occasion, Director Education and Special Programme, Lagos State Ministry of Education, Dr Sulaimon Ogunmuyiwa in his remarks appreciated the Coordinator NAOWA 9 Brigade Zone for inviting him as the SGoH. He affirmed this graduation stands out in history as a well organised, coordinated and entertaining ceremony with no dull moment. He said that with the display of talents and brilliance by the pupils as witnessed during the occasion, the sky would be their starting point with necessary guidance and nurturing, especially for the ballet dance group.
Some of the invited dignitaries, that added colour to the event with their presence were Commander Nigeria Navy Ship BEECROFT Commodore PP Nimyel, Commander 643 Equipment Support Depot Nigerian Airforce Air Commodore E Akintunde, General Manager Lagos Traffic Management Authority Mr Lekan Bakare – Oki, Chief Executive Director CONMART Nigeria Limited Dr Johannes Flosbach, and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Achieving Greatness Limited Mr Emmanuel Ojibo. Also present were members of NAOWA 9 Brigade Zone and parents of the graduating pupils. Others that were represented include Corps Commander Education and various Directors of the Nigerian Army Education Directorates in Lagos, the Commissioner of Police Lagos State Command, State Director of Security, Lagos Sector Commander Federal Road Safety Commission, State Commandant Man O War, Controllers of Customs Federal Operations Unit and Nigeria Immigration Services Lagos. The event witnessed an array of gifts from individuals and corporate bodies in appreciation of the efforts of the teachers at nurturing the pupils for seamless presentations during the event.
In his appreciation remarks, the Commander 9 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Olawale Matthew Oyekola, thanked the Special Guest of Honour and other dignitaries for gracing the occasion. He specifically appreciated the teaching and non-teaching staff for embracing needed changes and initiatives brought on board by the current NAOWA 9 Brigade Zonal Coordinator. He promised to remain steadfast in his support for the school to achieve more greatness as he presented personal awards to the best graduating pupils.
Highlights of the event were the presentation of quarter guard to the Special Guest of Honour, cultural displays, drama, talk shows, ballet dance/ choreography, runway show, news broadcast and presentation of certificates to the graduands.The event climaxed with a private party for the graduating class hosted at the CALF HOUSE, TA Lagbaja Cantonment, Ikeja.
CORNELIUS GUTUS
Captain
Acting Assistant Director
Army Public Relations
9 Brigade Nigerian Army
26 July 2025
