Jubilation, excitement, and emotions flowed freely on Friday when the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) led by the National President, Dr. Mrs. Elizabeth Egbetokun embarked on a massive empowerment as part of events marking its national convention currently holding in Lagos.
Over 300 wives of Police officers, both serving and late, benefited from the support scheme which included sewing machines, deep freezers, grinding machines, oven cooking gas, hairdresser equipment, among others, National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP can report.
Speaking on how Lagos was chosen as the venue for the convention, the National President of POWA, Dr. Mrs. Elizabeth Egbetokun stated: ‘We have always been having the convention in Abuja FCT but we decided to change the location to have a new feel and that’s why we are here in Lagos.’
About the regular empowerment initiatives that POWA always embark on, she said: ‘What we do is to make Police families happy and okay. Those women who lost their husbands in the course of service, I have compassion for them. Many of them don’t have what to do, so we empower them and give them items to get something productive doing so they can support their families.’
‘Our role is to help young women and children especially widows and orphans so that they can become self-sufficient. Congratulations to all selected beneficiaries, we are giving over 300 beneficiaries. I encourage them to use the tools judiciously and wisely’, she said.
On their recent initiatives, the wife of the IGP, Mrs. Egbetokun added: ‘I like to highlight that we have visited 16 states of the federation to distribute skill acquisition items like sewing machines, grinding machines, oven, cooking gas, hairdresser equipment, wheelchair, and essential food items. The most recent education intervention is the commissioning of two POWA model schools in Abuja FCT and Bauchi State for the children of officers and the wider community.’
In the same vein, the host of the national convention and wife of Lagos CP Olohundare Jimoh, Mrs. Sidikat Oluwatoyin Jimoh shared: ‘I am so happy and delighted. I want to appreciate my husband, my executives, and members of POWA in Lagos for doing excellently. This is the first time the national convention will be hosted by Lagos and I feel happy.’
On the empowerment initiatives, the Lagos POWA leader, Mrs. Jimoh revealed: ‘I felt so emotional when the 24-year-old was rolling on the floor as she got the machine. I am so grateful to our mother, Dr. Mrs. Egbetokun for this great empowerment scheme.’
Some of the over 300 beneficiaries expressed their joy as they spoke with NAOSNP. They thanked the POWA National President, Mrs. Egbetokun and her national executives, the entire Nigeria Police led by IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, and other stakeholders who made the empowerment scheme possible for them.
24-year-old widow, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Charles, wife of late Inspector Iluoma Charles of the Ikorodu division said: ‘I am so grateful. This machine is a blessing to me, I have been praying for it, craving for it, I am into bag making and fashion design. This will help me to sew all manner of bags like school bags and souvenirs.
‘With this machine, I can survive with my children. I am happy, God bless our mummy Egbetokun, she would eat the fruit of her labour and not hear any bad news’ said the visibly elated beneficiary who couldn’t hide her joy as she rolled on the floor.
Mrs. Victor Neji who is married to a serving Police officer from Edo State command got a deep freezer. Expressing her delight, she said: ‘I am happy for POWA and the Nigeria Police and my husband for the opportunity to get this freezer.’
‘This is going to help me so that I can sell items like soft drinks and water and it will be cold. I give thanks to God and thank the national president of POWA, Mrs. Egbetokun, she will continue to enjoy help’, she concluded.
