The new President of the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs Mernan Femi Oluyede on Monday assumed office pledging to prioritize the welfare of families of personnel, and provide support for widows.
Mrs. Oluyede, an accomplished legal practitioner with over 30 years of post-qualification experience who served as the 24th President of the Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA), also promised to carryout empowerment initiatives across military and police communities nationwide.
NewsQuest reports that the new DEPOWA President is admitted to the roll of solicitors in Nigeria, Ireland, as well as England and Wales, and holds a Master’s degree in International and Comparative Law with professional certification in Strategic Policy Planning.
Speaking at the handover ceremony of the association in Abuja, Mrs. Oluyede described her role as ‘a sacred responsibility rooted in service, compassion, and national duty to families’.
She took over from her predecessor, Mrs Oghogho Musa.
According to Mrs. Oluyede, her tenure would focus on strengthening family welfare, supporting widows and orphans of fallen heroes, and enhancing psychosocial, mental health, and community resilience programmes across defence and police families.
The new DEPOWA President therefore, identified women’s empowerment, entrepreneurship, digital skills development, improved childcare and educational facilities, and stronger partnerships with government, private sector, and humanitarian organisations as strategic priorities of her administration.
Mrs. Oluyede paid tribute to her predecessor, Mrs. Musa, for her devoted stewardship and impactful programmes.
She acknowledged that during the previous tenure, the leadership set a solid foundation for sustained growth and service within the Association.
The new DEPOWA President also commended the former Chief of Defence Staff, retired General Christopher Musa, for his visionary leadership and unwavering support to military and police family welfare initiatives across the country.
She encouraged members of the association to collaborate in order to broaden hope, dignity, and opportunity for all defence and police families, enhancing current programs to boost community resilience and support systems.
Mrs. Oluyede pledged to also elevate DEPOWA ‘to new heights of service, impact, and excellence’ while continuing legacy initiatives for families.
In her remarks, the outgoing DEPOWA President, Mrs Musa, expressed gratitude to members and partners for support during her tenure, describing over two years in office as ‘a journey of grace, unity, and purposeful service’.
Mrs. Musa emphasized the shared successes in women’s empowerment, health and family welfare, educational support for children, and skill development programs within barracks and police communities throughout her tenure.
