Delta State governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, made the call on Saturday 21st November 2020, while speaking at the empowerment programme organized by the Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), in Asaba.
Represented by the Chief of Staff to the Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA), Speaker, Dr. Olorogun Ebenezer Okorodudu, the governor said one of his cardinal principles is impacting on skills acquisition for youths.
“So that they can be more useful to themselves, families, communities and the society”, describing the empowerment of POWA as one that is in line with his administration.
Okowa, thanked the Chairperson of POWA for being committed to the empowerment to wives of police officers, “this clearly shows that she is committed and she has actually set a standard for other people to emulate. This standard can never go less. It is our prayers that her husband will be promoted”.
In her welcome address, wife of the State Commissioner of Police, Hajia Aisha Inuwa, disclosed that the programme is in line with the aspirations of the Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration to eradicate poverty from the state through empowerment.
No fewer than a 100 police officers wives and widows of policemen who paid the supreme price serving their fatherland were empowered with starter-packs to enable them earn a living.
Speaking on her activities since she assumed office, she stated, “I immediately embarked on the repairs and furnishing of POWA Secretariat, which was in deplorable condition.
“I also embarked on barracks visitation and inspection across the various police barracks in Delta State to encourage and motivate Police Officers wives on the need to keep their environment clean”, promising that the association would award any Police Barrack adjudged to be the neatest.
She disclosed that during the lockdown caused by the Coronavirus pandemic, POWA engaged in enlightenment campaign of preventive measures against the spread of Covid-19.
“Our association also distributed items like wash hand buckets, soap and sanitizers to police families and barracks. We also distributed palliatives to junior police officers Wives and widows of late policemen to cushion the effect of the lockdown”.
She appreciated God who gave them the grace to scare through the trying time just as she called on the beneficiaries of the empowerment to put them into effective use.
“You too can become employers of labour in the way you would be able to assist your family financially and contribute meaningfully to the economy of the state in particular and the nation in general”.
Dignitaries including the Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA), Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Member representing Oshimili north State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Princess Ajudua, Askia Ogieh among others.
One of the 100 beneficiaries and mother of five, Mrs. Matthew Okocha, appreciated POWA chairperson for her kind gestures.
Items given to the beneficiaries includes grinding machine, hair dryer, pump corn machine, gas cooker and cylinder and tailoring machines.
Scholarships were also given to children of police officers who died in active service.
