…President launches Women in Agriculture Programme
From Paul Orude Bauchi
The Police Officers Wives Association (POWA) has distributed empowerment packages to 100 members and some people with Disabilities (PWDs) in Bauchi State.
President of POWA and wife of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr Elizabeth Egbetokun, flagged off the distribution on Tuesday at the parade ground of the Police Training School,Yelwa, Bauchi.
The items distributed included sewing machines, hair saloon driers and other items for a hair salon, deep freezers, food, wheelchairs for PWDs aimed at making them self-reliant.
Speaking during the flag off, Mrs Egbetokun disclosed that through POWA’s educational and empowerment initiatives, the association has provided members with necessary skills and tools for self-reliance.
Egbetokun praised the perseverance and resilience of wives of deceased personnel who died in active service
She urged women to stand firm and support one another saying there is huge benefit and positivity in unity of purpose.
In a goodwill message, Bauchi State First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Bala Mohammed, commended the POWA President for her commitment and dedication to supporting widows and the less privileged.
Represented by the Wife of the State Deputy Governor, Hajiya Asma’u Mohammed Auwal, Hajia Mohammed said that the empowerment programmes initiated by POWA under Mrs. Egbetokun was a clear demonstration of her unwavering commitment to the well-being of widows of policemen who died in active service.
She believed that the empowerment will uplift families and promote economic growth.
Earlier in her welcome remarks, Bauchi State Chairperson of POWA, Hajiya Binta Auwal Musa revealed that POWA, at the State level had made significant progress.
Musa said several programmes were initiated to improve membership drive and proviide support to POWA members and their wards in the state.
She disclosed that the State Chapter of POWA was currently building a dispensary at one of the barracks, with the support of the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police (CP) Auwal Musa.
According to her, all the beneficiaries of the empowerment packages were selected among widows of deceased officers and personnel, less privileged members of POWA and some PWDs within and outside the Police community in the state.
Meanwhile, the POWA President disclosed that 20 women from Bauchi State are to be trained by the association in the United States of America (USA) on improving agriculture production.
Egbetokun disclosed this during a courtesy call on Governor Bala Mohammed, at Government House, Bauchi, as part of her efforts to launch the Women in Agriculture programme of the POWA.
She commended Governor Mohammed for the strides recorded in the state by his administration saying she was proud to be an indigene of the state.
She said selected women, one from each of the 20 local government areas in the state, are to be sponsored by POWA under her leadership to boost food production.
Governor, who received the wife of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr Elizabeth Egbetokun, commended her for empowering women in the state in the area of agriculture, saying that the gesture will go a long way in improving food security in the state.
Mohammed expressed delight with the initiative of wife of the IGP, saying it will bring about a significant increase in agricultural productivity, improve food security and foster economic growth