Segun Akanni, Toronto, Canada 
By Abimbola Obatayo, Ibadan
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division Nigerian Army. Major General Anthony Omozoje has said that issues
that concerns women and children are taken seriously by the army the command operates on the basis of law which allows female colleagues to pursue higher rank in their career.
Major General Omozoje while receiving members of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists, Oyo State ( NAWOJ) at Odogbo Barracks in Ibadan yesterday 26th August mentioned that the command prioritized the issue of protecting the interest of women and children of their officers.
While speaking on the issue, the GOC said that gender issues are taken seriously in the army
“These are key issues and the army is an organization created by law. We operate on the basis of law and there is no way anyone will say that the military is lawless. The army have laws on how the women and children should be treated because women have an important role to play.”
“Contrary to the general belief that women in uniform are limited to get to the peak in their career, opportunities are open for our women to attain any post, they are no longer tagged second class citizens in the army. A female colleague can become a commandant, and I believe that one day, a woman will become the G.O.C of this division”.
Major General Omozoje who noted that the command gives special provision and attention to wives of officers in service, widows and children of the deceased colleagues, added that there is a group life assurance cover, ensuring the protection of the officers immediate families.
” We have laws which protects not only women in uniform. Whatever happens to our officers in service or even if they die in the cause of service, their families are not left alone, the children are sponsored from primary to university level.” He said
Speaking on the standard of the Nigerian Army Schools, the General stated that “though the school has produced many big wigs in the society, nevertheless, the command will work towards improving the quantity and standard of the schools and we have the Nigerian army university in view.”
Commending the effort of the association in ensuring that women are given the freedom to be heard, the Army Boss said” We are aware you hold gender issues very dearly, and for us in the army, these are key issues that needs to be given top priority”.
Oyo NAWOJ Chairperson, Com. Jadesola Ajibola, earlier in her speech said the issue of insecurity concerns everyone, noting that no woman can afford to loose her husband or any of her children to the hand of the terriorist.
Com. Jadesola who mentioned some of the projects carried out by the women wing in the state, seeked for a partnership between the command and the association to continually educate the masses especially women and children on how to become the best they can be.
Officers present at the meeting includes :Brig Gen M.J Magit, Brig Gen Soycle, Brig Gen Adanogu, Brig Gen Aliyu, Col Adamu, Major F. O Oloyede, amongst others.
