The Naval Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA) has stressed the importance of mental wellness, emotional stability and strong family values in sustaining military service personnel, hosting the maiden edition of its SHINE Seminar as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th Anniversary.
The seminar, themed SHINE, an acronym for Self-Control, Humility, Integrity, Inner Balance, Nurturing Relationships and Emotional Stability, brought together naval officers’ wives, mental health professionals, etiquette experts and distinguished guests for a day of reflection, learning and personal development.
Addressing participants, NOWA’s National President, Mrs Aisha Idi Abbas, described the initiative as a strategic intervention designed to strengthen military families and equip them with the emotional tools needed to navigate the unique challenges of naval service.
Mrs Abbas noted that officers and their spouses often bear the dual burden of maintaining professional effectiveness while ensuring stability on the home front, amid frequent deployments, operational demands and the uncertainties inherent in military life.
“The home should remain the anchor,” she said, adding that resilient families provide the foundation upon which effective service is built. She said the seminar was conceived to empower naval families with practical knowledge on emotional wellness, interpersonal relationships and personal conduct.
The NOWA president also acknowledged the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, for his support of the association’s programmes, and thanked resource persons and stakeholders for their contributions to the event.
In a goodwill message, Lagos State First Lady, Dr Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, congratulated NOWA’s leadership and members for their sustained commitment to family development and social impact initiatives. She also commended the Nigerian Navy for its role in safeguarding national interests and promoting community development beyond its operational duties.
Dr Sanwo-Olu praised NOWA’s outreach programmes in Lagos schools, which she said were exposing young people to naval careers while strengthening security awareness among students. She described the seminar’s theme as timely, given the growing need for emotional intelligence and mental wellness in contemporary society.
“Mental health should not be treated as a one-time conversation, but as an ongoing necessity for individual well-being, family stability and societal progress,” she said, urging participants to embrace unity, mutual support and understanding.
The event featured presentations by mental health specialists, wellness practitioners and etiquette consultants, who offered practical guidance on stress management, healthy relationships, positive habit formation and emotional resilience.
The SHINE Seminar, organisers said, reflects NOWA’s broader commitment to strengthening the social and emotional fabric of naval families built on the conviction that the well-being of those who serve is inseparable from the well-being of the families who stand behind them. #Securitynewsalert.com
