Officers’ Wives, Navy Partner To Strength Maritime Security

The Naval Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA) is collaborating with the Nigerian Navy to support ongoing maritime security operations as both sides emphasised the importance of family welfare in sustaining operational effectiveness.

This formed the focus of a courtesy visit by the NOWA president, Hajia Aisha Idi Abbas, to the Flag Officer Commanding (FOC), Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Abdullahi Mustapha, in Lagos.

During the visit, Abbas reaffirmed the association’s commitment to strengthening welfare support systems for naval personnel families, noting that such efforts are critical to maintaining morale and stability within the force.

She commended the command for its continued backing of NOWA’s initiatives and described the partnership as vital to the overall success of naval operations.

According to her, the association remains dedicated to promoting unity, resilience and development within the naval community, despite operating as a non-governmental, non-profit body

“We recognise the sacrifices made daily by personnel in safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime interests. Supporting their families is essential to sustaining that commitment and ensuring a strong, united naval community,” she said.

In his response, Mustapha highlighted the command’s intensified maritime security operations across Lagos waterways and adjoining creeks, driven by a “four-D doctrine” of detection, deterrence, disruption and denial of criminal activities.

He disclosed that the Command has scaled up surveillance and deployed smaller vessels to strategic locations, including the Badagry axis, to combat smuggling and other illicit activities.

He added that advanced technological systems such as Falcon Eye and the Regional Maritime Awareness Capability platform are being leveraged to enhance intelligence-led operations.

The FOC also stressed the importance of community engagement, noting that the Command regularly collaborates with local leaders and conducts medical outreach programmes to build trust and discourage criminality in coastal communities.

Mustapha described NOWA as a critical partner, explaining that stability on the home front directly impacts effectiveness at sea.

“Operational success depends not just on strategy and assets, but also on the well-being of our personnel and their families. The role NOWA plays in this regard is invaluable,” he said.

He assured the association of continued support and closer collaboration to further strengthen its welfare and empowerment programmes.

As part of her visit, the NOWA president also toured the Nigerian Navy Ship BEECROFT, where she was received by the Commander, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu.

The visit featured a foundation-laying ceremony for a proposed Officers’ Mess and Boat Club, aimed at enhancing welfare and recreational facilities within the command – further reinforcing the partnership between naval operations and family support systems in strengthening maritime security.