POWA National Convention: First Lady Sanwo-Olu Urges Women to Embrace Transformational Leadership

POWA National Convention: First Lady Sanwo-Olu Urges Women to Embrace Transformational Leadership

Lagos, July 31, 2025 — The First Lady of Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs.) Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, has charged women across the country to rise to the challenge of transformational leadership by empowering, training, and supporting one another to unlock their full potential.

She gave the charge during her keynote address at the 2025 National Convention of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), themed "Unlocking POWA Potentials and Transformational Leadership." The three-day event, currently ongoing in Lagos, has brought together over 1,000 women from across Nigeria to deliberate on strengthening the roles of women in community development and national transformation.

Dr. Sanwo-Olu emphasized the importance of women recognizing and harnessing their hidden abilities. “Many of us have untapped potential — some of us excel in academics, others in entrepreneurship, counseling, fashion, training, or simply lifting others up. However, these talents often remain hidden due to shyness or lack of opportunity. We must be intentional about discovering and nurturing these gifts,” she stated.

She advocated for the creation of smaller support groups within POWA, noting that such clusters can serve as incubators for personal development and leadership. “When you break into smaller groups — of 10 or five — you begin to see those hidden abilities come to life. That’s how transformation begins, from the home to the community and ultimately the nation.”

The First Lady also stressed the need for women to champion a positive narrative and assume leadership roles in governance and decision-making. “We need to use our voices constructively — to pray, to praise, to influence. There is too much negativity portrayed about women in the media. We must change that narrative and demand our rightful place in policymaking, not just be relegated to the background,” she urged.

Commending the efforts of police officers’ wives, Dr. Sanwo-Olu said: “I’m proud of our police wives. Whenever we interact with POWA at the state level, we are always reminded of the vital role they play behind the scenes in supporting their spouses and building stable families. Their contributions, though often unheralded, are essential to the morale and strength of the police force.”

The convention kicked off on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, with an opening ceremony and inspirational session at Eko Hotel, Lagos. Day Two featured sports and empowerment activities at Onikan Stadium, while the final day, Friday, August 1, 2025, will culminate in a talent hunt and dinner at the Federal Palace Hotel.

The event drew high-profile dignitaries including:

• Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Barr. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin (representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu)
• Lagos State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Mrs. Bolaji Cecilia Dada (representing Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat)
• Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2, AIG Fayoade Adegoke (representing the IGP Kayode Egbetokun)
• Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Moshood Jimoh
• White Cap Chiefs representing HRM Oba Rilwan Akiolu, Oba of Lagos
• Executive Secretary/CEO, Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun
• Commander, 9 Brigade, Brig. Gen. O.M. Oyelami
• Commander, 651 Base Service Group, Air Commodore U.S. Umar
• Commander, NNS Beecroft, Commodore P.P. Nimmyel
• Chairman, Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Hon. Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile (Rtd.)
• Deputy Commissioner of Police, Lagos Command, DCP Fatai Tijani
• Secretary, LSSTF, Mrs. Ada Onyeka, among others.

The 2025 POWA Convention marks a pivotal moment in the organization's mission to empower women, uplift police families, and drive grassroots transformation across the country.