IGP Egbetokun Hails POWA as Strategic Force for Family, Community and National Transformation
IGP Egbetokun Hails POWA as Strategic Force for Family, Community and National Transformation
Lagos, Nigeria – July 30, 2025:
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has lauded the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) for its unwavering commitment to promoting family stability, community development, and socioeconomic empowerment. He emphasized that transformational leadership—anchored on vision, empathy, and selfless service—is key to unlocking the association's full potential and, by extension, fostering national development.
Speaking through the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2 Command, AIG Adegoke Fayoade, during the opening ceremony of the 2025 POWA National Convention in Lagos, the IGP described POWA as a “strategic bridge between the Nigeria Police Force and civil society,” whose influence resonates far beyond the barracks.
“POWA’s work may often go unsung, but its impact is deeply felt in every police household and in the moral strength of every officer who wears the badge,” he stated. “The role of police wives transcends domestic duties; it is strategic, touching on national security through family support, youth mentorship, and community engagement.”
Held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, the three-day convention themed “Unlocking POWA Potentials and Transformational Leadership” brought together POWA members nationwide to chart a new course for growth and empowerment.
Pillars of Transformational Leadership
IGP Egbetokun explained that transformational leadership is not about titles or authority but about empowering others, driving innovation, and leading with purpose. He described it as a style characterized by the Four I’s:
- Idealized Influence – Leading by example and embodying integrity.
- Inspirational Motivation – Inspiring others to dream big and take bold action.
- Intellectual Stimulation – Fostering creativity and challenging the status quo.
- Individualized Consideration – Recognizing and nurturing unique strengths in others.
“Transformational leadership calls us to rise above self-interest in pursuit of a greater good,” the IGP noted. “Let this convention be more than a gathering—let it be a movement for purpose, empowerment, and national transformation.”
He charged POWA members to see themselves not merely as companions to gallant officers, but as “architects of hope, bridges of resilience, and vessels of generational impact.”
Historical Perspective
Egbetokun traced POWA’s evolution from informal gatherings in the 1970s to its formal establishment in 1984 by Mrs. Mary Edet Elizabeth Inyang, wife of Nigeria’s first indigenous IGP. Initially focused on welfare visits and support for bereaved families, the association expanded in the 1990s to include skills acquisition, educational support, and health campaigns.
“Today, POWA stands as a transformative social force—supporting police families, amplifying the voices of women in security-linked spaces, and fostering community trust in the police,” he said.
POWA’s Strategic Roles
According to the IGP, POWA functions in three key capacities:
- A Lifeline for Police Families: Providing emotional and material support during crises, bereavement, and hardship.
- A Socio-Economic Driver: Facilitating poverty alleviation and youth mentorship through cooperatives, skills centres, and empowerment programmes.
- A Civic Bridge: Softening public perception of the police through humanitarian outreach, clean-up campaigns, and school donation drives.
Dignitaries and Convention Highlights
The convention opened on July 30 with an inspirational session. Day 2, held at Onikan Stadium on July 31, focused on sports and empowerment programmes, while the event will conclude on August 1 with a talent hunt and gala dinner at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island.
Prominent dignitaries in attendance included:
- Barr. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, Secretary to the Lagos State Government, representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu
- Hon. Mrs. Bolaji Cecilia Dada, Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation
- CP Moshood Jimoh, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command
- White Cap Chiefs, representing Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos
- Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun, Executive Secretary/CEO, Lagos State Security Trust Fund
- Brig. Gen. O.M. Oyelami, Commander, 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army
- Air Commodore U.S. Umar, Commander, 651 Base Service Group
- Commodore P.P. Nimmyel, Commander, NNS Beecroft
- Hon. Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile (Rtd), Chairman, LASIEC
- DCP Fatai Tijani, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Lagos Command
- Mrs. Ada Onyeka, Secretary, LSSTF
IGP Egbetokun concluded with a rousing call to action:
“The time is now to rise with vision, lead with empathy, and act with unwavering courage. In unlocking POWA’s full potential, we unlock the deeper strength of our nation—one empowered woman, one inspired home, and one transformed society at a time.”
No comments