By Gabriel Ameh
Wives of serving and retired senior military officers, under the umbrella of the 42 Regular Course Jewels Association, have extended humanitarian support to 58 widows of fallen heroes, distributing food items and other relief materials in honour of their late spouses who died in active service.
The outreach, held on Thursday in Abuja, was part of activities marking the 35th anniversary of the officers’ entry into the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Speaking at the event, the President of the Association, Mrs. Lucy Okehi, wife of Rear Admiral Okehi of the Nigerian Navy, said the gesture was aimed at remembering and supporting the families of those who paid the ultimate price in defence of Nigeria’s peace and unity.
“From time to time, we take moments like this to celebrate and fellowship with the widows — to share the little that God has blessed us with and to remind them that they are not forgotten,” Mrs. Okehi said.
The outreach featured the distribution of bags of rice and other food items, as well as moments of reflection and tribute to the fallen heroes.
The Financial Secretary of the Association, Dr. Temitope Oyinlola, described the event as one of gratitude and thanksgiving, reflecting on the officers’ 35 years of dedicated service.
“Thirty-five years is not 35 days. Our husbands have weathered many storms in the line of duty. Today, we thank God for His protection and grace,” she noted.
Similarly, the Secretary of the Association, Mrs. Olubunmi Adedoja, said the occasion served as a reminder of the sacrifices made by their spouses and the need to appreciate life, unity, and family resilience.
“This gathering is not just to give, but to connect — to remind ourselves that even through challenges, we have every reason to be grateful,” she added.
Widows who benefited from the outreach expressed deep gratitude to the group for their continued support and kindness.
Mrs. Blessing Ibrahim Sule, widow of the late Petty Officer Sule Ibrahim, said the association had consistently shown love to widows of fallen heroes.
“They always carry us along like family. I thank them and pray that God will bless and protect their homes,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Mrs. Abiodun Jegede, widow of the late Corporal Richard Jegede, also thanked the organisers for remembering the widows, describing the support as a source of comfort and encouragement.
The event concluded with tributes to fallen servicemen, shared testimonies from widows, and prayers for the continued peace and unity of Nigeria.
