Military authorities said up to 80% of soldiers have already been deployed to the many battle fronts against terrorists and bandits. Now, on oil company has decided to help at the home front with support to wives of soldiers.
This is said to be as a way of supporting men of the Nigerian Army in the constitutional role of protecting the nation. Sterling Oil Exploration and Energy Production Limited (SEEPCO) has thus considered it a necessity to empower their wives to enable them hold the home front.
This is to strengthen their economic base and give succour to their home, while the soldiers continue to fight and protect the territorial integrity of the country, according to a statement from the corporate communications department of the company.
SEEPCO undertook the initiative in partnership with a Non-Governmental Organisaiton, the Vcare for Development Foundation (VCDF) and the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association (NAOWA), 63 Brigade in Delta State.
About 110 women were subjected to an intense 6-day vocational and entrepreneurship enhancement training in Warri, to advance women’s economic empowerment, household resilience and Nigeria’s national priorities, in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) objective.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke on their experience expressed gratitude to SEEPCO for the initiative and pledged to make the best of what they have been taught. For example, Aisha Mustapha said: “I am grateful for the leatherwork training. I have valuable insights to make my business better. I and many of my fellow army wives now have confidence to earn better with skills we have learnt.”
The Public Relations Officer of NAOWA Delta State chapter, known simply as Essor, who also spoke on the training noted that the “The programme is timely and practical. It strengthens household income and supports families within the military environment through skills and starter kits.”
Philip Ukemezia, VCDF’s Deputy National Programmes Manager, on his part, said: ‘‘VCDF combines structured skills training with practical support to build sustainable household economic resilience. In 2026, VCDF has trained over 200 army wives across supported communities in Akwa Ibom and Delta States.’’
The women are said to have got hands-on training in bread making, makeup and gele, leather works and adire (tie & dye). The training covered business planning, record keeping, pricing, customer relations and access to financial services and also strengthened the women’s ability to translate skills into sustainable livelihood.
It is expected that the soldiers would think less of financial issues and feeding the children back home and focus on the battle ahead.
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