Navy Officers’ Wives Challenged on Financial Stability

Rebecca Ejifoma

With the COVID-19 pandemic bleeding the economy of the nation, members of the Navy Officers’ Wives Association (NOWA) have been challenged on achieving financial stability backed up with prudence in their homes.

This was the submission of the guest speakers, Mrs. Olajumoke Oyagha and Mrs. Theresa Ijeoma, who spoke on the theme, “A Prudent Woman/Financial Stability” at the one-day seminar to mark this year’s Navy Week in Lagos.

For Ijeoma, the major factor to consider in this time of pandemic is to work within one’s means. “You don’t go into unnecessary spending or debts – it’s the new normal”, she added.

She further tasked the women to sit with their husbands, and their children and plan properly while harping on the importance of saving. Her words, “Learn to save from what you have. Invest in good businesses that can give you good returns”.

Addressing members of NOWA and the Naval Ratings Wives Association (NARAWA), Oyagha, who doubles as the wife of a retired officer and pastor, listed some elements for other women to adopt in achieving financial stability, adding that “prudence is the secret”.

According to her, women can become prudent in the way they manage their finances, homes, and families, by looking at what is happening now and asking God for help.

While noting that there is no way to survive the new normal without being wise, the speaker cautioned the women on watching their resources and knowing how to manage it with their families.

Although Oyagha acknowledged that as women the reality of what is happening in the market is different from what is in their hands to cater for the homes, she implored everyone to understand the situation with godly wisdom.

She went ahead to describe a prudent person as one who acts or shows care for the future. And with the social and economic impact of COVID-19, she enjoined, “Control your emotions, temper and words.

“Begin to put plans in place. That’s the way a prudent woman maintains her lifestyle after retirement. She anticipates and prepares accordingly,” she highlighted.

Representing the NOWA President, Mrs. Nana Aisha Gambo, the Vice President of NOWA, Mrs. Ifechi Ezekobe said the seminar was apt, with the COVID-19 pandemic that has since altered everything.

She explained: “We have found ourselves in a place where we suddenly have to start thinking outside the box. This is also a period where we hear about gender-based violence, especially against women and children.

“These are issues that are very dear to the heart of our NOWA President. This informed the theme of the occasion to address the challenges women are facing in the homes, work places, and businesses.”

Ezekobe, however, emphasised on mutual respect for seniors, mates, and juniors. She outlined the role of mutual respect in their daily lives. “We are sisters on this journey. There is no other person that understands what we are going through because of the reality of our husbands’ job.

“We can’t survive without one another. We live to support the system that NOWA and NARAWA has given us.”