The Nigerian Air Force Officers’ Wives Association (NAFOWA) on Monday inaugurated its maiden Young Achievers Club in Abuja to nurture, guide and inspire teenagers to become responsible leaders.
The President of NAFOWA, Dr Rakiya Abubakar, said the initiative was designed to support young people in making career choices, instilling morals, leadership skills, and helping them manage stress and anxiety while transitioning into adulthood.
Abubakar explained that the club would equip participants with vocational skills such as painting, soap and air freshener production, tie-and-dye, and pottery.
She added that the training also includes medical first aid training like CPR, as well as counselling sessions on puberty, emotional intelligence and sexual education.
“The club is not just a platform but a family where children and youths can learn values, build skills, discover their talents and grow in confidence.
“We are creating a safe space where they will be encouraged to excel academically, morally, socially, while holding firmly to their faith and identity,” she said.
Abubakar noted that the club, which is free, is open to teenagers from 13 years and above residing in NAF bases.
The Chief of Administration, NAF, AVM Idi Sani, represented by the Director of Education, NAF, Air Commodore Babangida Zakari, commended NAFOWA for the initiative, stressing that societies that neglect their youth are bound to fail.
Sani expressed the need to continue to nurture, guide and harness the talents of the young people for societal progress.
He also highlighted recent successes of Air Force schools despite the poor national performance in the 2025 WAEC examinations, noting that some schools recorded 97 to 99 per cent pass rates, while students scored above 350 in JAMB.
A beneficiary of the programme, Jemimah Yakubu, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, saying the club had broadened her options for career and potential income.
“With what I have learnt here, I already have a trade I can build on. It is powerful and impactful,” she said.
Another participant, Thankgod Nwamara, said the skills would add value to his future, especially as he plans to explore baking.
“This will help me gain more skills and improve as a person. It will also be another source of income for me,” he said. (NAN)
