To enhance a good standard of living for  the families of deceased officers, the POWA President, Deaconess Elizabeth Egbetokun initiated the educational empowerment. She has made it a priority to put smiles on the children faces, this laudable vision will be able to sustain their hope of receiving education and will surely boost morale of the police.

From Left, Mrs Elizabeth Egbetokun, middle, Mrs Omotosho Presenting a cheque to a beneficiary.

POWA has demonstrated love and kindness towards the children by giving Scholarship money of N200,000 each to 35 of the deceased children to obtain admissions to various higher learning institutions in Nigeria.

The POWA President, Mrs Elizabeth Egbetokun was accompanied by Mrs. Aisha Ciroma, wife of DIG Ciroma; Mrs. Zainab Ari Ali, wife of AIG Zone 2, wives of CPs and others. The occasion took place at the POWA hall, Ikeja on Friday, 25th August 2023.

The Chairperson of POWA in Lagos, Dr. Folayemi Owohunwa presented N300,000 Cheque to the management of Police Children schools in Idimu, Ikeja, Okota, Epe, Obalende 1, Obalende 2 and Epe. It will enable the improvement of facilities of the schools she had previously paid an unexpected visit across the State.

Some beneficiaries displaying their cheques.

The Chairperson of Police Officers Wives Association, (POWA) Lagos State Command, Dr. Folayemi Owohunwa in her remark, said, ‘We have not only come to express our heartfelt appreciation but also to embark on a journey of empowerment. One of the most remarkable things that I admire about our President, Deaconess Elizabeth Egbetokun is her commitment to value addition to police officers’ families. Among these is the concept of education empowerment which is of innumerable value.’

Speaking on the importance of the scholarship, Mrs. Owohunwa said, ‘This scholarship aims to provide assistance to the families of active and deceased officers who share their aspirations of higher quality of life through attainment to higher institutions. 35 will get a scholarship grant of N200,000. Stating further ‘you represent not yourself alone, but the dreams and aspirations of your family. Use this platform to become an ambassador of change and progress for your family and the country as a whole.’

The President of Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), Deaconess Elizabeth Egbetokun in her remark at the official visit to Lagos stated, ‘Today we have come together not only as a community but as a force for positive change. We recognize that education is the cornerstone of progress and a powerful tool that can transform lives. As we award scholarship to this young minds, we are not only giving grants but empowering the future. Each scholarship is a testament to your potential and I am confident that you will make most of this invaluable opportunity’.

Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, wife of the Governor of Lagos, who was ably represented by Mrs. Omotosho on her part said, “the Lagos State Government places high premium on education, ‘we want to ensure that education is beyond mere certification. That is why in the Office of the First Lady, we have initiated programmes to empower vulnerable women, youths, and children to pick relevant skills.’

CP Idowu Owohunwa express his gratitude to POWA, he said ‘events of this nature shows that whether in service or out of service or if you pay the supreme sacrifice, we have the leadership between the rank of our wives from the rank of the IGP to the chairpersons in the States, we can wipe tears off the faces of our families. On behalf of the Police family particularly in Lagos command, I say a big thank you.’

‘We say this is the beginning and we pray that successive POWA administrations will sustain this novel idea. It is by pulling from poverty that wealth is made and to sustain this effort, on behalf of officers in Lagos, we will make a donations of N6 million to support this scholarship scheme’. ‘For our children who are beneficiaries, what you owe us and your family is hard work. Avoid the temptation to join bad gang’, CP Owohunwa advised.

Other dignitaries present at the occasion pledged substantial amounts of money to the scholarship project.

In attendance were the wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu who was ably represented by Mrs. Omotosho; the Commissioner of Police in Lagos, CP Idowu Owohunwa; Oba Babatunde Saliu, the Oloworo of Oworo; Chief Bashir Afolami representing the Oniru of Iru, Oba Omogbolahan Lawal, the CEO of Beloxxi industry, members of the Lagos Police Command management team and many other dignitaries not mentioned.