The president of the Nigerian Correctional Officers Wives Association (NICOWA), Victoria Nwakuche, has called for a nationwide mobilisation of women to confront the deepening social challenges affecting Nigerian families and communities.

The NICOWA president made the call at the association’s 2025 national convention themed “Women Navigating Modern-Day Pressures: The Role of Women in Tackling Societal Issues”, held on Saturday in Abuja.

She said that women must rise to become critical drivers of change as societal problems grow more complex.

She also said the convention offered the association an opportunity to review its progress, reaffirm its purpose and reposition itself for greater national impact.

She noted that women now face heavier burdens than ever before: economic strain, heightened social responsibilities, technological disruptions and shifting cultural values, yet they continue to anchor family stability and national development.

“Despite these pressures, women stand at the heart of progress. They are the emotional, social and economic stabilisers of our communities,” she said.

The NICOWA president emphasised that the realities confronting correctional officers’ families reflect the broader national situation, highlighting the resilience required to sustain homes while spouses operate in intense security environments.

She stressed that the convention was not merely an annual gathering but a call to action for women to lead efforts against critical societal threats such as drug abuse, youth delinquency, mental health struggles, gender-based violence and poverty.

“Strengthening family systems and building safer communities require intentional women-led initiatives built on knowledge, empowerment and collaboration,” she said.

The NICOWA president said that the association would continue to prioritise women’s empowerment through skills acquisition, mentorship, counselling and economic support programmes designed to help women thrive despite modern pressures.

“A woman who is informed is confident. A woman who is empowered is unstoppable. She becomes a pillar of transformation wherever she stands,” she maintained.

She expressed gratitude to special guests, partners and supporters for their consistent contributions to the association’s mission, describing their support as vital to NICOWA’s expanding influence.

She said the convention would focus on reviewing achievements, examining emerging challenges and exploring innovative strategies that would move the association to higher heights.

She also encouraged participants to contribute actively, listen attentively and collaborate with open hearts to ensure a meaningful outcome while reaffirming NICOWA’s commitment to unity, purpose and service.

In his remarks, the controller-general, Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Sylvester Nwakuche, commended NICOWA for its crucial role in supporting officers and strengthening the Service through family stability.

Mr Nwakuche applauded the NICOWA president for her commitment to the association and for convening a forum that unites women whose influence, he said, extended across homes, communities and the nation.

According to him, the theme of the convention reflects the complex realities women face in a rapidly changing society marked by shifting economic conditions, rising social expectations and increasing emotional demands on families.

The NCoS CG said the pressures confronting women today are unprecedented and require heightened strength, adaptability and wisdom.

He said that NICOWA members face even deeper layers of these pressures as they support husbands serving in a sector that deals daily with national security, rehabilitation and law enforcement.

He highlighted the unique challenges correctional officers’ families confront, including irregular duty schedules, frequent postings, emotional strain and the responsibility of managing the home while spouses serve the nation.

“Your role may not always be spotlighted, but it is fundamental. You provide the emotional stability that keeps our officers grounded.

“When a home is stable, an officer is strong. When a wife stands firm, the Service stands firm,” the CG emphasised.

Beyond domestic responsibilities, Mr Nwakuche said women are shaping the moral direction of society and influencing values in homes, schools, faith communities and marketplaces.

He described women as central to addressing societal challenges, noting that issues often surface first within families and communities where women stand at the frontlines.

He encouraged NICOWA to strengthen conversations and initiatives around empowerment, emotional well-being and leadership, while urging the association to prioritise mental health support, financial literacy, business skills, mentorship for young wives and expanded community outreach.

He reiterated the Service’s appreciation for its partnership with NICOWA, saying the association remained a key pillar in sustaining officers’ morale and institutional stability.

Delivering a lecture on the NICOWA convention theme, the president, League of Women Voters of Nigeria (NILOWV), Irene Awunah-Ikyegh, said women possess unique perspectives and resilience that position them as key drivers in addressing societal challenges across communities.

Mrs Awunah-Ikyegh said women in Africa, despite their challenges, remain remarkably strong and adaptable, noting that many do not “look like what they have been through” due to their natural resilience and capacity to withstand hardship.

According to her, this resilience is an essential quality needed to confront the social issues affecting communities.

Mrs Awunah-Ikyegh said women bring life experiences shaped by their roles in homes, workplaces and community interactions, giving them deeper insight into problems that are often overlooked in policy discussions.

“This perspective enables women to identify issues that may escape attention and to bring innovative solutions to the table,” she said.

Mrs Awunah-Ikyegh commended NICOWA for providing a platform that strengthens women’s voices and equips them to address societal issues more effectively

She urged the association to continue empowering women through mentorship, collaboration and community-focused initiatives, affirming that when women unite with purpose, they become a powerful force for transformation within society.

(NAN)