Nwakuche Inaugurates NICOWA CSTS Enugu Chapter, Tasks Members On Securing Home Front
The National President of the Nigeria Correctional Officers’ Wives Association (NICOWA), Mrs Victoria Nwakuche, has tasked NICOWA on maintaining a progressive and supportive home front for their husbands.
Nwakuche, who was represented by the Chairperson, NICOWA Enugu State Chapter, Mrs Lilian Valins-Obizue, gave the task on Saturday while inaugurating the NICOWA Correctional Service Training School (CSTS), Enugu Chapter.
After the inauguration was the Couples’ Dinner Night for the newly-inaugurated NICOWA CSTS Enugu Chapter members.
Nwakuche urged NICOWA members to ensure discipline of children and engage in empowerment to also support their spouse to move the home front forward.
She noted that NICOWA is an association that reshapes the society with humanitarian reach, adding: “We are bonded through one common sisterhood and need to extend our help beyond our homes.”
According to her, National Security does not begin at the gates of our Custodial Centres, nor does it end with the uniform. It begins in the home.
“The Nigerian Correctional Service stands as a critical pillar in our National Security architecture; while our husbands, brothers, and sons work daily in high-stress and high-risk environments.
“They manage complex human challenges, confront the consequences of crime, and labour quietly for the safety and order of our society.
“Their effectiveness, resilience, and mental fortitude are not sustained by training and equipment alone.
“They are sustained by the stability, emotional support, and moral strength of the families they leave behind every morning and return to every night.
“When an officer knows that his home is secure, that his children are guided, that his spouse stands as a pillar of strength, he carries into his duty a clearer mind and a steadier heart,” she said.
The NICOWA national boss noted that the family is not a private matter separate from national security; “it is an integral component of it and this is where NICOWA finds its purpose and its calling”.
Earlier, the Commandant, Correctional Service Training School (CSTS), Enugu, Controller of Corrections Miriam Mere, noted that behind every disciplined, focused, and dedicated correctional officer is a resilient spouse who manages the home front; absorbing pressures of service, and keeps the family unit intact.
“When I assumed leadership of this premier training institution, one of my core convictions was that true institutional excellence goes beyond classrooms, parade grounds, and administrative blocks, it thrives when the welfare and harmony of our personnel’s families are prioritised.
“A happy, empowered home directly translates to a sharper, and more dedicated officer on duty.
“That is why the school management has wholeheartedly backed the revitalisation and formal inauguration of the NICOWA CSTS Enugu Chapter.
“In alignment with the visionary, empowerment-driven agenda of our National President, we are committed to ensuring that this chapter does not merely exist in name.
“But stands on a solid foundation of economic self-reliance, unity, and impactful welfare initiatives for our women and children within the barracks,” she said.
The commandant charged the new executives and members of NICOWA CSTS Enugu Chapter, to see the inauguration as a call to purposeful service, calling for them to be a beacon of sisterhood, skill acquisition, mutual support, and moral strength.
She said, “Work hand-in-hand with the school management, support one another, and build a legacy that future generations of officers’ families in this school will be proud to inherit.
“As we transition from the formal inauguration into our Couples’ Dinner Night, I encourage every officer and spouse present tonight to unwind, celebrate your love, and strengthen the bonds that hold our families and our Service together.”
In a goodwill message, the Zonal Coordinator of Nigerian Correctional Service Zone M, Enugu, Assistant Controller-General Prisca Oku, advised NICOWA members to always be disciplined; carry NICOWA and their families to great standards.
“Always remember to uphold the ideals and forthrightness NICOWA stands for, be careful with what you do or say anywhere and conduct yourself with respect,” Oku said.
Corroborating, the State Controller, Nigerian Correctional Service Enugu State Command, Controller of Corrections Valins Obizue, congratulated the newly-inaugurated NICOWA chapter, urging them to bring dedication and innovation into the association.
“The Nigerian Correctional Service, Enugu State Command and NICOWA Enugu State Chapter will continue to support the new chapter to succeed and grow rapidly,” Obizue said.
In an address, the Acting Chairperson of NICOWA CSTS Enugu Chapter, Mrs Chinyere Kanu, thanked the NICOWA National President, ACG, Commandant, Controller and others for supporting the new chapter to succeed.
The guest speaker for the night, Pastor Darlington Ukazu of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, who titled his talk on “Keeping It Fresh And Alive”, urged couples to strive to keep their love life alive.
Ukazu, a relationship coach, called on spouse to be open with each other and help carry each other burdens and support the welfare and growth of the family.
The theme of the Couples’ Dinner Night, was: “The Role of the Family in National Security: NICOWA As An Institutional Partner”.
Other dignitaries in attendance included: the Officer-in-Charge Maximum Security Custodial Center Enugu, Deputy Controller of Corrections, Dr Sunday Igwe, the National PRO NICOWA, Mrs Justina Okoye, and the Chairperson Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) Enugu Chapter, Mrs Sarah Okwor ably represented by Mrs Amarachi Anosike.
Others are: the Chairperson of Customs Officers’ Wives Association (COWA), Mrs Oaya Mark Behora, ably represented by Mrs Favour Okpe; officers of the Correctional Service Training School (CSTS) Enugu and the Nigerian Correctional Service within Enugu and its environs.
