Empowerment of POWA Members: IGP’s Wife Solicits More Support from Government and Private Sector, Laments Inadequate Funds

By Raheem Ibrahim

The National President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Mrs. Elizabeth Egbetokun, has called for increased financial support from the federal and state governments, as well as the private sector, to empower the wives of Nigeria’s security operatives and enhance their productivity.

In her opening remarks at the 2025 Annual Three-Day Conference held at Eko Le’Meridien, Lagos, on Wednesday, Mrs. Egbetokun lamented that many empowerment projects had been suspended across state commands due to a lack of adequate funding.

Reaffirming her commitment to the growth of POWA during the conference themed “Unlocking POWA Potentials and Transformative Leadership,” she said, “We have held empowerment programmes in various states since I assumed office. More than 3,000 women, widows, orphans, and physically challenged persons have received items such as sewing machines, grinding machines, wheelchairs, ovens, starter packs, and relief materials for flood victims.”

Noting that these initiatives align with her three-point agenda—education for development, quality healthcare delivery, and a better life for all—Mrs. Egbetokun stated that POWA’s vision is primarily to improve the welfare of police officers and their families while also contributing to community development.

According to her, POWA is an organization that believes in a nurturing environment, transformational practices, and the importance of collective impact. “The vision of POWA is to alleviate the challenges faced by the wives, widows, orphans, and children of police officers within the police community and the broader society,” she said.

“It is clear we all have special qualities embedded in us, but the challenge lies in how to harness such potential. That is the driving vision of POWA. We strive to encourage our women to reach their full potential. Unlocking one’s potential is a journey that requires continuous self-improvement, growth, transformation, embracing challenges, and pushing beyond comfort zones,” she added.

Mrs. Egbetokun urged women to seize every opportunity to explore and develop their potentials.

In his welcome address, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, noted that POWA functions not only as a welfare body but also as a transformative social force that amplifies the voices of police families, fosters community development, and advances the role of women in security-linked spaces.

Commending POWA’s leadership for its consistent efforts to uplift police families and promote values of dignity, resilience, and service, he said, “Your work, often unsung, is felt across every barracks, every household, and in the moral strength of every officer who wears the badge—knowing that a strong, intelligent, and supportive force stands behind him or her at home. This convention, in many ways, is a bold step forward. It affirms that the role of police wives is not merely domestic or ceremonial, but strategic—impacting national security indirectly through family stability, youth mentoring, community engagement, and economic empowerment.”

Represented by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, AIG Adegoke Fayoade, the Police Chief expressed optimism that the conference would make a positive impact on the lives of POWA members.

He said, “The heart of POWA lies in its mission to enhance the quality of life of police families through empowerment, education, and welfare-oriented initiatives. Its vision captures the aspiration of building a resilient, resourceful, and respected community of women, capable of supporting both their families and society at large.

“In unlocking POWA’s full potential, we unlock the deeper strength of our nation—one empowered woman, one inspired home, and one transformed society at a time,” he added.