Improved Welfare for Police Families: IGP’s Wife Launches CARES Initiative in Lagos
By Raheem Ibrahim
In a move to fulfill her pledge to improve the welfare of police families across Nigeria, the President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Olufunmilola Disu, has officially launched the Lagos phase of the POWA CARES Initiative.
The IGP’s wife, speaking at the launch ceremony in Lagos, described the initiative as a structured and sustainable intervention aimed at strengthening the well-being of police families—an essential component of effective policing.
According to her, the programme is designed to move beyond one-off welfare gestures by providing comprehensive support in healthcare, education, and economic empowerment.
Emphasising that the Lagos outreach builds on the success of the Abuja phase—where over 1,000 beneficiaries received eye care services and medical support—Mrs Disu stated that the Lagos phase will offer free eye screening and treatment, corrective eyewear, dental care, and general medical consultations to more than 1,000 beneficiaries over two days.
She further disclosed that the initiative will include financial grants for 200 families, the distribution of Cowry transport cards, and nursing scholarships aimed at expanding educational opportunities for children of police officers.
The POWA President noted that the programme reflects a growing recognition that the effectiveness of officers in the Nigeria Police Force is closely tied to the welfare of their families. She added that the initiative also incorporates youth-focused sensitisation sessions addressing issues such as drug abuse, cultism, and reproductive health, with the goal of safeguarding the next generation.
While expressing appreciation for the support of the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as well as healthcare professionals and partners contributing to the programme’s implementation, she stated that the CARES Initiative is built on collaboration between government institutions, healthcare providers, and development partners to ensure sustainability and nationwide scalability.
Mrs Disu encouraged beneficiaries to take full advantage of the programme, noting that investing in the welfare of police families ultimately strengthens national security and institutional effectiveness.
