By Jane Daniel
The Civil Defence Officers’ Wives Association (CDOWA), Enugu State Chapter, has urged mothers to raise disciplined and morally upright children to secure the nation’s future.
Speaking at the 2026 CDOWA Family Retreat and Workshop in Enugu, the state chairperson, Dr Josephine Willie, said many social vices and insecurity challenges stem from broken homes and poor parental upbringing.
She stressed that children nurtured with love, discipline and sound values are more likely to become responsible and compassionate adults, noting that mothers play a critical role in shaping society.
According to her, the retreat, themed “One Heart, One Mission: Building a Stronger CDOWA Family,” was designed to strengthen family bonds, promote unity and support members facing the unique challenges of being wives of security personnel.
Dr. Willie also prayed for the safe return of children still in the custody of bandits and appreciated sister associations and government agencies for supporting the programme.
“Therefore, as mothers and wives, our role Thereforeextends beyond our homes; we are builders of society and custodians of the future,” she said.
“As wives of security personnel, we understand the unique realities of service life and endure long periods of separation due to deployments and sleepless nights of concern for the safety of our loved ones” she added.
“The responsibility of nurturing our children, and sometimes the pain of loss and sacrifice. Yet through it all, we remain united by one heart, a heart filled with love, resilience, courage, and faith” – she stated.
The Patron of CDOWA and Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Enugu State Command, Dr Elijah Willie, urged parents to monitor and correct negative behaviours in children, describing the family as the bedrock of a peaceful society.
The event featured lectures on family unity, financial management, empowerment, medical outreach, free health checks and distribution of drugs.
