By Iliya Usman
The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the welfare, empowerment and well-being of women, particularly wives of police officers, describing them as the unseen pillars behind the nation’s security architecture.
Represented by the wife of the Chief of Defence Staff, Mrs. Lilian Oghogho Musa, the First Lady made the remarks while declaring open the 2026 Annual General Convention of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), held on Thursday at the Police Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja.
The convention, themed “The Resilient Woman: Navigating Life’s Challenges with Strength, Purpose and Grace,” brought together wives of serving and retired police officers, senior government officials, police leadership and stakeholders from across the country to discuss family welfare, women’s empowerment, healthcare, mental wellness and economic development.
In her keynote address, Senator Tinubu praised the National President of POWA, Chief (Mrs.) Mutiat Olufunmilola Disu, for organising a convention that promotes unity, mutual support and capacity building among wives of police officers.
She noted that the convention’s theme aptly reflects the realities faced by many Nigerian women, especially those married to police officers whose professional responsibilities often keep them away from home for extended periods.
The First Lady acknowledged the enormous sacrifices made by police officers’ wives, saying they provide the emotional stability and encouragement that enable officers to carry out their constitutional responsibilities
“As wives of police officers, you carry many responsibilities at home while supporting your husbands whose duty often keeps them away from their families. Your patience, sacrifices, encouragement and support provide the stability that allows them to serve our nation,” she stated.
She, however, stressed that while these women continue to support their families and communities, their own health and mental well-being must not be neglected.
The First Lady encouraged participants to use the convention as an opportunity to learn from one another, strengthen professional and social networks, acquire new skills and return to their various commands with renewed purpose.
She further urged women to continue empowering themselves through education, skills acquisition and entrepreneurship, noting that empowering women ultimately strengthens families, communities and the nation.
“When a woman is empowered, the benefits reach far beyond her home,” she said before formally declaring the 2026 POWA Annual General Convention open.
IGP Hails POWA’s Contributions
In his opening remarks, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, commended POWA for evolving beyond an association of spouses into a formidable platform for humanitarian service, family support and community development.
The IGP congratulated the National President of POWA on her assumption of office, noting that the 2026 convention marked the first annual gathering under her leadership.
He expressed confidence that the association would continue to build on its impressive legacy through innovation and collective commitment.
“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,” he said.
Disu praised the association’s interventions in supporting widows, children of fallen police officers, vulnerable families and members of the larger police community, describing their efforts as a vital complement to the Nigeria Police Force’s welfare programmes.
Acknowledging the difficult nature of policing, the IGP said police officers frequently work under dangerous conditions, spend long periods away from their families and face enormous operational pressures in the line of duty.
He therefore paid glowing tribute to the wives of police officers for their unwavering understanding, encouragement and sacrifices.
“Behind every dedicated officer is a family that provides strength, encouragement and stability,” he noted.
The police chief also reminded members that they serve as ambassadors of the Nigeria Police Force, urging them to continue promoting integrity, discipline, humility and compassion in their daily lives.
He assured them that the Nigeria Police Force would continue to prioritise the welfare of officers and their families through initiatives focused on healthcare, education, skills acquisition, women’s empowerment and social development.
“The effectiveness of any police organisation depends not only on operational capabilities but also on the strength and well-being of the families that stand behind its officers,” the IGP stated.
He encouraged members to sustain the spirit of volunteerism and unity that has distinguished the association over the years while wishing them fruitful deliberations.
POWA President Highlights Sacrifices of Police Wives
In an emotional opening address, the National President of POWA, Chief Mrs. Mutiat Olufunmilola Disu, described the convention as a celebration of women whose sacrifices often go unnoticed despite their critical role in sustaining police families.
She said the gathering was dedicated to honouring the wives of police officers who quietly bear enormous emotional and family responsibilities while their husbands serve the nation.
“Every police officer wears a uniform. But behind every uniform is another uniform that no one sees. It is the invisible uniform of the wife who waits,” she said.
She spoke passionately about women who spend birthdays alone, raise children without the daily presence of their husbands and endure sleepless nights whenever officers are deployed on dangerous assignments.
In some painful cases, she added, some women receive tragic news that every police family prays never to experience.
According to her, the convention seeks to reassure every police officer’s wife that her sacrifices are recognised and valued.
Chief Disu stressed that resilience should never mean suffering in silence, explaining that the convention was deliberately designed to invest in participants’ health, emotional wellness, economic empowerment and personal development.
“Over the next three days, we will invest in your health, emotional well-being, economic empowerment and personal growth because a stronger woman builds a stronger family,” she said.
Healthcare, Empowerment Initiatives Expanded
Highlighting achievements recorded since assuming office, the POWA National President disclosed that the association had already reached more than one thousand police families in Abuja through free healthcare interventions, including medical consultations, eye screening and the distribution of corrective eyeglasses.
She also revealed that the association expanded its welfare programmes in Lagos through the POWA CARES Initiative, which combined healthcare services with economic empowerment, scholarships and direct family support.
Chief Disu further recounted recent visits by her team to police barracks markets in Abuja, where they interacted directly with women without prior notice.
She said the visits exposed the harsh economic realities confronting many police families.
“We saw shops with only a few items on the shelves. We met women with remarkable determination but limited capital. We listened to widows whose greatest desire was not sympathy, but an opportunity to stand again,” she said.
According to her, those engagements reinforced the need for leadership that listens before acting.
She pledged that under her leadership, POWA would continue to develop practical programmes addressing healthcare, education, mental wellness, economic empowerment, as well as support for widows and children of deceased police officers.
She expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police for his continued support for the association and also thanked First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her commitment to women, families and vulnerable Nigerians through the Renewed Hope Initiative.
Chief Disu urged participants to make the most of the convention by embracing new opportunities for growth.
“I ask every woman here to make one promise to herself: leave stronger than you came. Leave knowing that your story matters, your sacrifices are recognised, and your future is filled with hope,” she charged.
She concluded by noting that stronger police families ultimately translate into a stronger Nigeria Police Force and a safer nation.
The 2026 POWA National Convention will feature health and wellness sessions, leadership development, economic empowerment programmes, networking activities and policy discussions aimed at improving the welfare of police families across Nigeria.
