IGP Disu, NPTF, POWA Launch Skills Acquisition Programme for Spouses of Junior Police Officers
ABUJA – The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has flagged off the maiden Skills Acquisition and Empowerment Programme for spouses of junior police officers, describing the initiative as a strategic investment in the welfare, stability and economic resilience of police families.
The programme, organised by the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) in collaboration with the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), was inaugurated on Monday at the MD Abubakar Police Barracks, Dei-Dei, Abuja. The initiative, themed “Empowering Families, Strengthening Communities: Advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda Through Skills Acquisition and Economic Empowerment,” is aimed at equipping spouses of junior police officers with vocational skills and start-up support to improve household livelihoods.
The event was hosted by the Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, and attended by the Executive Secretary of the NPTF, Mohammed Sheidu; the National President of POWA, Chief Mrs. Olufunmilola Mutiat Disu; senior government officials and beneficiary spouses drawn from commands across the country.
Speaking at the ceremony, IGP Disu said the initiative underscores the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to improving the welfare of its personnel by empowering their families economically. He stressed that the wellbeing of police officers is closely tied to the welfare of their households, noting that supporting families would ultimately strengthen the morale and effectiveness of the Force.
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The police chief commended the wives of junior officers for their unwavering support despite the demanding nature of policing, urging beneficiaries to utilise the vocational training and empowerment packages as a foundation for long-term financial independence rather than temporary relief.
In his keynote address, the Executive Secretary of the NPTF, Mohammed Sheidu, said the programme reflects the Fund’s recognition that economic empowerment of police families is as important as investments in training, equipment and infrastructure. According to him, the vocational skills and start-up packs provided under the initiative are designed to create sustainable sources of income for beneficiaries and enhance family livelihoods.
Sheidu attributed the initiative to the inspiration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, urging participants to establish viable businesses capable of improving the economic fortunes of their families while contributing to community development.
Also speaking, the National President of POWA, Chief Mrs. Olufunmilola Mutiat Disu, described the programme as a strategic investment in the morale, professionalism and productivity of police personnel rather than an act of charity. She noted that national security begins with stable families and pledged POWA’s continued collaboration with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund to sustain the initiative. She also called on government institutions and private organisations to support similar empowerment programmes.
The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing the welfare of its personnel and their families, stating that it would continue to partner with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, POWA and other stakeholders to strengthen police families and improve service delivery across the country.
