President of Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), Mrs Mernan Oluyede, don stress say the welfare of military families no be small matter, say na one of the things wey dey help security personnel perform well for their work.
She talk say if government and society want make military officers serve the country with full concentration, then dem must make sure say their wives and children dey live for safe, peaceful and supportive environment.
Oluyede make the statement during one child welfare programme wey National Defence College Officers’ Welfare Association organise for Abuja on Wednesday.
According to her, military life get plenty challenges wey ordinary families no dey face. She mention long deployments, frequent transfer from one state to another, long periods away from family and the uncertainty wey dey follow military work.
She say all these things dey put heavy burden on military wives and children, making am important for families to get proper support.
The DEPOWA president explain say strong families dey raise the morale of military personnel, and once morale high, security agencies go perform better and the country go enjoy stronger security.
She also use the opportunity beg parents and guardians make dem no focus only on food and school fees, but also pay serious attention to the mental and emotional wellbeing of their children.
According to her, many children dey silently battle fear, loneliness, depression, anxiety and emotional stress, but most times dem no know how to explain wetin dey worry dem.
Oluyede still raise alarm over the growing dangers wey children dey face online.
She warn say cyberbullying, internet fraudsters, bad content, online predators and fake information don become serious threats to children, especially as many of dem dey spend more time on phones and social media platforms.
According to her, protecting children for this digital generation no go happen by chance. She say parents must deliberately monitor wetin their children dey watch online, talk with dem regularly and create an atmosphere where children fit freely share their experiences without fear.
She add say social media get benefits, but if parents no guide children well, the same platform fit expose dem to harmful influences and dangerous people.
Oluyede come praise National Defence College Officers’ Welfare Association for organising the programme, saying the discussion on child protection, education and social media dangers come at the right time.
Earlier, the coordinator of the association, Mrs Hauwa Ahmed, reaffirm the organisation’s commitment to improving the lives of women, children and vulnerable people through health programmes, seminars and community outreach activities.
She explain say the programme na to help parents understand child development better and teach dem how to protect children from both physical and digital threats.
Ahmed come remind everybody say raising responsible children no be work of parents alone.
According to her, schools, religious bodies, communities, government institutions and every stakeholder get role to play if society want raise children wey go become responsible adults tomorrow.
She finally urge participants make dem carry the knowledge wey dem gain from the programme go their various homes and communities, especially in guiding children on how to use social media responsibly and avoid online dangers.
The programme focus mainly on child protection, education, emotional wellbeing and the impact wey social media dey get on young people in today’s world.
