Thursday July 16, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng
By Idorenyin UMOREN
Private Investigator and Security Evaluator
The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and the National President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association, POWA, Chief Mrs. Mutiat Olufunmilola Disu, have paid glowing tributes to the resilience, sacrifices and contributions of police officers’ wives at the opening of the 2026 POWA National Convention in Abuja.
The convention, held at the Police Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja, brought together wives of serving and retired police officers from across the country under the theme: “The Resilient Woman: Navigating Life’s Challenges with Strength, Purpose and Grace.”
Represented by Mrs. Lilian Oghogho Musa, the First Lady described the convention as a vital platform for unity, empowerment and mutual support among police families. She commended the leadership of POWA for organising the event and noted that the theme reflected the daily realities of Nigerian women who continue to overcome challenges with courage and determination, SwiftREPORTERS reported.
According to her, police officers’ wives bear enormous responsibilities in supporting their families while their husbands are often away on national duty.
“You provide the stability that enables our police officers to serve the nation effectively. Your patience, sacrifices, encouragement and support deserve recognition, while your health and mental well-being must also receive adequate attention,” she stated.
Senator Tinubu urged participants to use the convention as an opportunity to learn from one another, build lasting relationships, acquire new skills and create opportunities that would improve the lives of their families and communities.
She emphasized that empowering women has far-reaching benefits beyond the home and formally declared the 2026 POWA Annual General Convention open.
In his address, IGP Disu described POWA as a critical pillar of support for the Nigeria Police Force, praising members for their unwavering commitment to the welfare of police families and vulnerable members of society.
The police chief congratulated Chief Mrs. Disu on her emergence as National President of POWA and expressed confidence in her ability to lead the association to greater heights.
“The history of POWA is one of compassion in action. Beyond being an association of spouses, it has evolved into a formidable platform for humanitarian service, family support and community engagement,” the IGP said.
According to SwiftREPORTERS, the IGP noted that police officers often work under difficult and dangerous conditions, requiring long hours away from their families, and acknowledged the immense sacrifices made by their spouses in maintaining stable homes and providing emotional support.
He further assured members that the Nigeria Police Force would continue to prioritize the welfare of officers and their families through initiatives focused on healthcare, education, skills acquisition, women empowerment and social development.
He urged members to remain ambassadors of the Force by upholding values of integrity, discipline, humility and compassion while strengthening the association’s tradition of volunteerism and service.
Earlier in her opening remarks, POWA National President, Chief Mrs. Mutiat Olufunmilola Disu, delivered an emotional tribute to the often-unseen sacrifices of police officers’ wives, describing them as the silent strength behind every police uniform.
“Every police officer wears a uniform. But behind every uniform is another uniform that no one sees — the invisible uniform of the wife who waits, who raises children alone when duty calls, and who endures uncertainty while supporting her husband’s service to the nation,” she said.
She stressed that the convention was dedicated to recognising and celebrating the sacrifices of police wives while investing in their health, emotional well-being, economic empowerment and personal development.
Chief Mrs. Disu revealed that since assuming office, her administration has focused on listening to the needs of police families before implementing programmes.
She highlighted several initiatives already undertaken, including healthcare interventions that reached more than 1,000 police families in Abuja through free medical consultations, eye screenings and the provision of corrective eyeglasses. She also cited the expansion of the POWA CARES Initiative in Lagos, which combines healthcare services, scholarships, economic empowerment programmes and direct support for families.
The POWA President recalled recent unannounced visits to police barracks markets in Abuja, where she interacted directly with women struggling with limited business capital and widows seeking opportunities to rebuild their lives.
“Sometimes, the greatest act of leadership is not speaking; it is listening. Those visits strengthened my resolve that under my leadership, POWA will continue to build programmes that respond to real needs, not assumptions,” she said.
She reaffirmed POWA’s commitment to healthcare, education, mental wellness, economic empowerment and support for widows and children of police officers, describing them as promises that no police family would be forgotten.
Chief Mrs. Disu also expressed gratitude to IGP Disu for his support and lauded First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for her commitment to women and vulnerable groups through the Renewed Hope Initiative.
She challenged participants to leave the convention stronger, more confident and better equipped to face life’s challenges.
“When a police officer’s wife rises, a family rises; when families rise, our Police Force grows stronger; and when the Police Force is stronger, Nigeria becomes safer,” she declared.
The three-day convention is expected to feature health programmes, empowerment sessions, leadership discussions, networking opportunities and welfare-focused initiatives aimed at improving the lives of police families across Nigeria.
