The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) DELTA has organized a special outreach programme for widows of fallen security personnel and vulnerable families as part of activities marking the 70th anniversary of the Nigerian Navy.
The outreach brought together widows of personnel from the Nigerian Navy, Army, Air Force, Police, NSCDC and other security agencies, alongside widows from host communities.
Speaking during the event, Commander of NNS Delta, Commodore Shehu Mohammed Tasiu, said the initiative was designed to honour the sacrifices of families whose loved ones died in service to the nation.
According to him, the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary should not only celebrate operational successes but also recognise the sacrifices made by families of fallen officers.
“This milestone is measured not in nautical miles or victories, but in sacrifice,” Commodore Tasiu said.
He noted that many security personnel paid the ultimate price while fighting piracy, insurgency, oil theft and other security threats across the country.
“Your spouses did not merely pass away; they fell in the line of duty,” he stated.
The commodore stressed that widows of fallen heroes are often forgotten after burial ceremonies, assuring beneficiaries that the Navy remains committed to strengthening support and engagement with affected families.
“Too often, the spouses of fallen heroes become invisible after the burial. Sympathy fades, calls stop, and support narrows to what regulations allow,” he said.
Commodore Tasiu also described widows as “the generals of the home front,” praising their resilience and sacrifices in raising families under difficult circumstances.
“Your weapon is not a rifle, but your prayers, your hustle, and your refusal to let your children become orphans in spirit,” he added.
He further explained that civilian widows were included in the programme to strengthen trust and cooperation between the military and host communities.
According to him, the Navy’s relationship with surrounding communities goes beyond security operations, adding that community support remains essential to national security and peacebuilding.
“Today there is no rank, no uniform — only our shared humanity and a common determination to move forward,” the Commander NNS DELTA stated.
The Delta State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Humanitarian Services, Pat Ajudua, represented by Sally Achieze Anyadike, Special Assistant on Women Mobilization to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, commended the Nigerian Navy for organizing the outreach programme.
She described the initiative as a major step towards strengthening civil-military relations and supporting vulnerable widows across security agencies and host communities.
“A nation’s greatness is measured not by the strength of its warships, but by how it treats its widows, its vulnerable, and its forgotten,” she stated.
The commissioner praised NNS DELTA for extending the outreach beyond military widows to include widows of paramilitary personnel and civilians.
“Today, the Navy has opened its arms to civilian widows because humanity is one family,” she said.
She also called for stronger protection for widows facing economic hardship, social discrimination and property grabbing after the death of their husbands.
“A widow deserves dignity, not degradation,” she stressed.
The commissioner further urged widows not to lose hope despite their challenges.
“You are not a widow; you are a woman of valour,” she declared.
She commended the Commander of NNS DELTA and officers of the formation for choosing to invest in humanitarian outreach rather than elaborate anniversary celebrations.
“You chose to spend on widows. You chose to break bread with the brokenhearted. That is not just military excellence; that is moral excellence,” she added.
Some beneficiaries of the outreach programme who spoke with our reporter thanked the Nigerian Navy and the Delta State Government for the support and recognition shown to widows and vulnerable families.
Some of the widows described the outreach as a rare moment of encouragement and compassion, saying the gesture made them feel remembered and valued despite their difficult circumstances.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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