Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim fsi has commended the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal SK Aneke and the entire leadership for the special “Chief of Air Staff Youth Empowerment Programme (CASYEP) launched at the NAF Officers’ Mess and Suites, Abuja
Delivering a goodwill address, the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim fsi represented by her Special Assistant Technical and Public Engagement, Princess Jummai Idonije, said the gathering marks a pivotal moment where military excellence seamlessly intersects with strategic social development, charting a new path of self-reliance, productivity, and sustainable growth for our young citizens.
​Hon. Minister said the deliberate focus of CASYEP on providing practical skills, structured mentorship, and viable pathways to sustainable self-reliance for the dependants of our serving, retired, and deceased NAF personnel is both noble and deeply necessary. “Our military families bear a unique socio-economic burden; for instance, Nigeria’s estimated two million widows form a significant segment of our population whose welfare directly impacts family stability, and many reside within our military communities. By intentionally investing in the youth within our NAF bases, this programme does not just alleviate immediate financial pressures; it honours the sacrifices of our fallen and living heroes and heroines by ensuring their families are never left behind, but are instead empowered to thrive independently”, she stressed.
Hon. Imaan noted that the timely intervention aligns perfectly with a major national milestone, as the Federal Government has officially declared this year, 2026, as the Year of Families and Social Development in Nigeria adding that the presidential declaration recognizes that the family is the primary unit of society and the ultimate foundation for sustainable peace, security, and human capital development. “When we look at CASYEP, we see a practical manifestation of this vision; a targeted effort to strengthen the family structures within the military ecosystem by equipping the youth with the tools necessary to become economically stable, socially responsible, and resilient pillars of their communities.
Speaking further the Minister pointed out that at The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, the operational framework to bring this vision to life across the country is anchored on its 9-pillar Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention (RHSII-774). As a direct expression of the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, RHSII-774, meticulously designed to push economic inclusion, child protection, and social safety nets into all 774 Local Government Areas of Nigeria. “Nationally, our social safety net interventions have scaled up from fewer than one million households in 2015 to reach over 9.4 million households in 2026, with women constituting more than 70 percent of primary beneficiaries”.
The core pillars of RHSII-774 she said directly confront basic structural challenges facing households. Programs like the Women Agro-Value Expansion (WAVE) address the imbalance where women account for up to 70% of the rural agricultural labor force but control far fewer assets. The Clean Cooking Initiative targets the 67.8% of Nigerian households relying on firewood, reducing health risks and environmental degradation. Other critical pillars like EmpowerHer774, PowerHer774, Women-on-Wheels, and the Green Economy Empowerment (#GEE774): which is deploying 10,000 electric tricycles for commercial use. ensure that vulnerable groups, including military dependents and widows, receive financial inclusion, vocational training, startup kits, and affordable health insurance to shield them from multidimensional poverty.
​Beyond economic empowerment, the Hon. Minister congratulated the Chief of the Air force and his team on its truly giant strides in the development of its landmark NAF Gender Policy; an initiative her Ministry is really interested in. “This progressive policy is a monumental milestone that directly strengthens the domestic implementation of the National Gender Policy and the 3rd National Action Plan on the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) on Women, Peace, and Security. By institutionalizing gender-responsive structures, the NAF is ensuring that women are not merely passive victims of conflict or secondary beneficiaries of welfare, but active, equal, and strategic partners in security operations, decision-making, and peacebuilding across Nigeria.
concluding, the Minister once again, commended Air Marshal SK Aneke for his visionary leadership and deep commitment to human capital development within the military community and in particular making the Air Force more gender-friendly. “To the young beneficiaries embarking on this journey today, remember that you carry the proud legacy of the Nigerian Air Force; a legacy of discipline, courage, and excellence. The Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development remains fully committed to collaborating with the NAF as we sustain, expand, and institutionalize these initiatives, she assured.
Ahmed Lawan Danbazau mnipr
Head, Press and Public Relations Dept (FMWASD)
