By Peter Omopo
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander, Sector 2 Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA, has donated 20 brand-new motorcycles to women in Giginya Cantonment, Sokoto State, as part of an empowerment initiative aimed at enhancing their economic independence.
The donation was made under the GOC’s Barracks Women Empowerment Scheme, which is designed to support income-generating activities among families of military personnel and promote self-reliance within the barracks community.
Speaking at the presentation ceremony held at the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA) Leisure Park, the GOC said the initiative underscored the Nigerian Army’s commitment to the welfare of its personnel and their dependants. He explained that the motorcycles would improve mobility for women engaged in petty trading, enable easier access to markets, enhance logistics management and help expand small businesses within and outside the cantonment.
He added that the gesture was in line with the directive of the Chief of Army Staff to boost morale and wellbeing through sustainable welfare programmes.
Receiving the motorcycles on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Magajiya of Giginya Cantonment, Hajiya Amina Adamu, expressed appreciation for the support, describing the intervention as transformative. She assured that the motorcycles would be distributed fairly and used responsibly to achieve the objectives of the programme.
The event was attended by formation commanders, senior officers, the Chairperson of the 8 Division NAOWA, members of the Nigerian Army Soldiers’ Wives Association (NASWA) and families residing within the barracks.
The ceremony concluded with the symbolic handover of keys, presentation of souvenirs and group photographs.
