Jane Salihu
The Nigeria Police Force has broadened its welfare strategy beyond serving personnel with the launch of a skills acquisition and economic empowerment programme for spouses of junior police officers, describing the initiative as a critical investment in stronger families and improved policing.
The programme, inaugurated on Monday at the MD Abubakar Police Barracks, Dei-Dei, Abuja, is a joint initiative of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) and the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), with the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, in attendance.
According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, the programme, themed “Empowering Families, Strengthening Communities: Advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda Through Skills Acquisition and Economic Empowerment,” seeks to equip spouses of junior police officers with vocational skills and start-up support to enhance household income and financial stability.
Speaking at the event, IGP Disu said the welfare of police personnel cannot be separated from the wellbeing of their families, stressing that stable homes contribute significantly to a more motivated and effective police force.
He commended the wives of junior officers for the sacrifices they make in supporting their spouses and urged beneficiaries to utilise the training and resources as a platform for building sustainable businesses rather than relying on them for short-term relief.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, Mohammed Sheidu, said the initiative demonstrates the Fund’s commitment to complementing investments in police training and infrastructure with programmes that improve the economic wellbeing of officers’ families.
He noted that the vocational training and empowerment packages were designed to create lasting sources of livelihood, urging beneficiaries to establish businesses capable of supporting their households and contributing to their communities.
The National President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association, Chief Mrs. Olufunmilola Mutiat Disu, described the initiative as a deliberate investment in the morale and professionalism of the Nigeria Police Force, insisting that strong families remain the foundation of national security.
She reaffirmed POWA’s commitment to sustaining the programme in partnership with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund and appealed to other government institutions and corporate organisations to support similar initiatives for police families.
The event was hosted by the Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, and attended by senior government officials, police management, representatives of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, POWA executives and beneficiary spouses drawn from commands across the country.
The Police said it would continue to collaborate with relevant stakeholders to strengthen the welfare of officers and their families as part of ongoing efforts to build a more efficient, motivated and people-oriented police force.
