…Commission’s New Police Officers’ Wives Association Office Complex
ITODE AKARI
PORT HARCOURT – Wife of the Inspector General of Police, Elizabeth Egbetokun, has empowered 41 Police officers’ wives including widows of Police officers with skills in catering, fashion designing, and hairdressing in a bid to enhance their livelihoods.
Mrs Egbetokun who also commissioned a newly built Police Offocers’ Wives Association office complex on Friday in Port Harcourt, said the edifice would serve as a hub for women empowerment, providing resources and training to support the economic and social development of police officers’ families, as well as the broader community.
Speaking during the commissioning,
Mrs. Egbetokun, who doubles as the National President of POWA, described the empowerment as a means appreciating police officers for putting their lives on the line in the course of protecting lives and properties.
Egbetokun added that the project signifies a new chapter for empowerment, education, and community engagement, emphasising the association’s commitment to the welfare of police officers’ wives.
She said, “This project represents our unwavering support to our men in the police uniform and our collective resolve to uplift communities, foster unity among wives of police officers as the national president of POWA, I am actively aware of the challenges and responsibilities our officers face daily they put their lives on the front line so we can be safe.
“Their wives are just as vital as them, so today marks pivotal moments in our journey, a step forward in strengthening our support system, the commissioning of this office complex is not a mere celebratory event; it signifies the beginning of a new chapter for empowerment, education, community engagements.
“It will be a safe haven where we as wives, mother’s sisters, can come together and share our challenges and also thinker out solutions to these challenges, one of our mandate is to ensure the welfare of police wives at all times, we strive to ensure that our police wives receive all the necessary supports and recognitions for their sacrifices, from educational scholarship, mental health initiative for our families, we remain committed to ensuring an environment where every member of our society feels valued and supported,” she added.
On his part, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, expressed gratitude to the wife of the IGP, and the Rivers State government, stating that the newly commissioned facility will not only boosts their operational capacity of the command, but will also serves as a beacon of hope and assurance to the police community.
Disu said; “I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the wife of the inspector general of police, for sharing this important event and to our esteemed governor for an unwavering support which has been instrumental in making this project a reality.
“This facility will not only boost our operational capacity but also serve as a beacon of hope and assurance to our community together we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of every resident of the state”.
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Similarly , The chairperson of POWA in Rivers State, Mrs. Olufunmilola Disu, also reflected on the journey leading to the project’s completion, noting that despite the economic challenges, the association remained focused in improving the welfare of its members.
She added that the complex will serve as a mini-business hub, generating funds to support powa activities and empowering members and the wider community.
She said, “The Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) is a non-profit. non-governmental, non-political, non-ethnic social welfare and organization, dedicated to promoting sisterhood and providing programmes for all ranks of Police Officers’ wives and their families.
“When I assumed office on November 18, 2024, I and my team
recognised the need for a significant project at the Secretariat. We quickly initiated work, and on April 18, 2024, we POWA held the groundbreaking ceremony of thIs complex and the POWA Plaza at Igwuruta.
“Despite the challenging economic landscape, we remained committed to improving the welfare of our members,
knowing that this project would significantly enhance the financial
stability of our association”.
Meanwhile, the wife of the Rivers State Governor, Valerie Fubara, commended POWA’s efforts, noting that the office complex is a testament to state commitment to women’s empowerment and socio-economic development within the law enforcement community.
Mrs. Fubara, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Roseline Uranta, said the complex will serve as a hub for initiatives that will help to uplift women and promote their welfare.
“Mrs Egbetokun office complex is a testament to our commitment to women’s empowerment and social economic development within the law enforcement community.
“This edifice situated within the police officers wives association secretariat honours Mrs Egbetokun’s exceptional leadership and dedication to women advancement. Her selflessness inspired us to continue promoting women’s interest, the Rivers state ministry of women affairs remains dedicated to creating an enabling environment for women to thrive.
“This complex will serve as a hub for women empowerment initiatives and providing resources training to police officers’ wives and the broader community. We also acknowledged the contributions of POWA, the Nigerian police force and everyone involved in this project your collaborations and dedications are appreciated”.
