By Harriet Tornguvan -Abuja
The President of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), Safiyyah Hassan Shaibu, has emphasised the importance of family support, unity and health consciousness in the fight against cancer, particularly within military and para-military communities.
Hassan Shaibu made this call at a joint programme organised by Officers’ Wives Associations to commemorate World Cancer Day 2026 in Abuja. The event, themed “United by Unique,” brought together members and leaders of officers’ wives associations across the Armed Forces and security agencies.
In her goodwill message, the NAOWA President noted that cancer extends beyond the individual patient to deeply affect families, especially in military settings where spouses often bear increased responsibilities due to the nature of their partners’ duties. She stressed that strong family bonds, emotional support and collective awareness are essential in confronting the disease.
She urged military wives to prioritise their health by embracing regular medical screening, early detection and healthy lifestyle choices, explaining that timely medical intervention significantly improves survival rates while safeguarding family stability and emotional wellbeing.
She reaffirmed NAOWA’s commitment to health education, community sensitisation and humanitarian interventions focused on women, families and vulnerable groups within military formations nationwide.
Additionally, she assured that the association would continue to partner with relevant stakeholders to advance preventive healthcare, support cancer patients and survivors, and strengthen family-centred health advocacy within military communities.
Earlier, in her opening remarks, the President of the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mernan Femi Oluyede represented by the Deputy President, Osas Edosa described cancer as a global health challenge that cuts across age, gender, profession and social status. She observed that beyond its physical impact, the disease imposes significant emotional and economic burdens on families and communities.
Osas Edosa highlighted the importance of early detection, routine medical screening, healthy living and emotional support, noting that awareness remains one of the most effective tools in reducing cancer-related deaths.
She commended the unity among military and para-military officers’ wives associations, describing the joint observance as a strong demonstration of shared responsibility, compassion and collective resolve.
Goodwill messages were also delivered by the President of the Nigerian Navy Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA), Aisha Idi-Abbas; the President of the Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA), Ngozi Aneke; and the President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Elizabeth Egbetokun. They collectively called for deeper collaboration, sustained advocacy and increased public awareness to strengthen cancer prevention and support initiatives nationwide.
The programme featured advocacy talks, awareness sessions and a unified call to action aimed at enhancing partnerships in cancer prevention, early detection, treatment support and survivor care. Highlights of the event included expert lectures, survivor testimonies, interactive sessions and group photographs.
The event reaffirmed the shared resolve of the officers’ wives associations to remain united in purpose while recognising the unique journeys of individuals and families living with cancer.
