Foundation Launches Programme To Empower Military Families

The Support Our Troops (SOT) Foundation yesterday launched its annual empowerment programme to improve the welfare and economic stability of military families across Nigeria.

The one-year initiative will extend targeted support to widows, orphans, wounded soldiers, deployed personnel and retired servicemen and women.

At the launch in Abuja, the foundation announced plan to empower 100 beneficiaries nationwide by October 2026, with at least 70 per cent expected to achieve sustainable income within a year of training and mentorship.

The empowerment drive will focus on vocational and entrepreneurial skills, small business development and direct welfare support.

The chief coordinating officer of the SOT Foundation, Ojinika Mba-Kalu described the launch as a renewed call to collective responsibility and a show of gratitude to the  armed forces.

She noted that the initiative was part of a  campaign to address long-standing concerns about the living conditions of military families, particularly those of fallen heroes.

According Mba-Kalu, the programme will unfold in phases, beginning with the selection of beneficiaries through a transparent partnership framework with key military associations.

The first training cohort, she added, is expected to begin early next year, covering both vocational instruction and business education. A second cohort will follow by mid-2026, with the final round of financial grants and support disbursed by September.

The foundation said the project was designed to promote integrity, stability and self-reliance among military families while strengthening social inclusion and national unity. Beneficiaries will receive both training and post-launch mentoring to ensure continuity and measurable progress.

She said, “We are going to extend our support to not just the widows, but also the deployed troops, the wounded, the orphans, and the retired soldiers. That is our priority and focus for this one-year-long programme.

“Our vision is to lift the spirits of Nigerian military personnel and their families. Whether it is the widows of fallen heroes, retired officers or their dependents, they all matter to us.”

One of the directors of foundation, Tokumbo Oladende, said since its inception, SOT had worked closely with the Ministry of Defence and other partners to deliver care packs, school supplies and support materials to barracks communities nationwide. It has also sponsored hospital treatments and provided learning equipment to military schools.

He noted that beyond financial empowerment, the programme aimed to restore dignity and confidence among families that have borne the burden of military service and to raise awareness among Nigerians about their shared responsibility in supporting those who defend the country.