Defence Minister, Military Chiefs, Others Break Ground, Launch Fundraising for DEPOWA College Project
The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, alongside the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Gwabin Musa, and other dignitaries, officially flagged off the foundation laying and fundraising ceremony for the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) College.
Speaking at the event in Abuja on Tuesday, Badaru praised the DEPOWA leadership for its foresight and unwavering commitment to education, national development, and the welfare of military and police families.
He described the college as a monumental step toward building a more secure and enlightened future for Nigeria.
“This initiative embodies the resilience and compassion of our military and police families. By laying this foundation, we are not merely constructing a school — we are planting seeds for a brighter, more secure Nigeria,” he declared.
Emphasizing the strategic importance of the project,
The minister stated that the DEPOWA College would serve as a beacon of excellence, discipline, and opportunity for children of service personnel.
He pledged full support from the Ministry of Defence and assured stakeholders that the government would bridge any financial gaps to ensure the project is completed within record time.
In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, lauded the project as a vital contribution to the future of military families and the country at large.
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“This initiative by DEPOWA is not just about bricks and mortar, but about investing in knowledge, discipline, and character. It reaffirms our collective commitment to nurturing future leaders through quality education,” the CDS said.
He acknowledged the sacrifices made by military and police families, especially the long absences of personnel on national duty.
According to him, the DEPOWA College will provide a stable and quality learning environment for their children, boosting the morale of service members and enhancing operational effectiveness.
Earlier in her welcome address, the President of DEPOWA, Mrs. Oghogho Gwabin Musa, outlined the vision behind the college and the need for expanded educational infrastructure.
She explained that the existing DEPOWA school at Mogadishu Cantonment was inadequate to meet growing demands and highlighted the association’s resolve to create a holistic, boarding institution for children of military and police families.
“With over 20 million out-of-school children in Nigeria, this project is not just a DEPOWA initiative, it is a national imperative,” she said.
“The DEPOWA College will feature modern classrooms, sports and recreation facilities, ICT-enabled libraries, and practical skill acquisition centers.”
Mrs. Musa, who described the N10 billion project as a legacy of hope and empowerment, called on public and private sector stakeholders to contribute generously.
She also paid tribute to the First Lady of the Federal Republic, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her guidance and inspiration, and expressed heartfelt appreciation to the CDS, her husband, for his constant encouragement.
The event drew wide participation from military and police leadership, spouses associations, private sector partners, and donors. Several key stakeholders made generous pledges to support the ambitious project.
With architectural and engineering designs already completed and vendors on standby, the DEPOWA College is poised to become a model educational institution that reflects the values of patriotism, excellence, and national service.
“Let this college symbolize our collective vision to uplift those who stand at the heart of our nation’s defence. Together, we will build an institution that nurtures future leaders, inventors, and patriots”, Minister Badaru said.
