The Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOA) Institute of Management and Secretarial Studies, Kaduna, on Tuesday, matriculated 41 students enrolled for various diploma courses for the 2021/2022 academic session.
The institute offers diploma courses in Office Technology and Management, Business Administration and Management, Public Administration, Computer Science and Accounting.
Other courses include Data Processing, Fashion and Textile Technology and Catering and Hotel Management.
The NAOWA Chairperson, 1 Division Chapter, Hajiya Maimunatu Ali-Keffi, in her speech, advised the students not to give up on their dreams.
“No plant grows without a seed. The seed you plant in your lives today, will be the harvest for your future tomorrow.
“Be serious with your studies by working hard to actualize your dreams. And while you are here, you must abide by all the school rules and regulations,” she said.
The chairperson urged the students to avoid any act that would cost them their education.
“Never see yourself as someone that knows it all, find a mentor.
“A responsible adult knows what is best for your well-being, even if you must sacrifice your reputation with your friends, draw close to an adult who you know has your best interest at heart.
“Avoid being part of the crowd without being a loner, you can separate yourself from the group of people who are not involved in positive things and still have a social life.
“Avoid following popular trends that could lead to a high-risk lifestyle, such as becoming so obsessed with materialism that you will do illegal activities to obtain certain things.
“However, I recommend three simple and basic set of values for youth life, education and freedom.
“If you place a high value on each of these and consider them in your decisions, it will affect the choices you make.
“If you value your life, you will think twice about drinking and driving.
“If you value your education you won’t threaten a teacher, which will get you expelled and if you value your freedom, you will avoid criminal behaviour that could lead to prison,” she said.
Mrs Ali-Keffi also advised the students to maintain emotional stability, to enable them navigate through critical times.
In his remarks, the General Officer Commanding, (GOC)1 Division Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen Danjuma Alli-Keffi, commended NOAWA for the opportunities given to youths and women within and outside the barracks, to make their lives socially and economically better.
The GOC, who was represented by 1 Division Education and Services Commander, Brig.-Gen Muhammad Auta, noted that one of the cardinal objectives of NAOWA was to contribute to nation building by producing self-employed people and managers.
“I sincerely believe that the matriculating students will take seriously the opportunities presented here to transform to great members of the larger society through the skills and academic qualifications they came to obtain here.”
He said that the Division would provide the students with the necessary support to excel in their studies.