LAGOS/Nigeria: The Police Officers’ Wives Association, Lagos State Command, has empowered 100 widows of deceased police officers with cash grants and food items in commemoration of the 2026 International Widows’ Day, reaffirming its commitment to improving the welfare and economic wellbeing of families of fallen officers.
The humanitarian outreach, held on Monday at the POWA Secretariat in GRA, Ikeja, was themed “Justice, Dignity and Economic Power for Police Widows,” and formed part of the association’s nationwide initiative to support vulnerable members of the police community.
The programme was organised in line with the directive of the National President of POWA, Mrs. Mutiat Disu, aimed at promoting compassion, inclusion and sustainable support for widows of police officers who died in the line of duty.
Addressing the beneficiaries, the Chairperson of POWA, Lagos State Command, Mrs. Adekemi Tijani, said the association remains steadfast in its resolve to restore hope and improve the quality of life of police widows through sustained empowerment programmes and welfare interventions.
She described the widows as courageous women who made enormous sacrifices alongside their late husbands in service to the nation, stressing that their resilience deserves recognition, dignity and continuous support.
According to her, the intervention was designed not only to commemorate International Widows’ Day but also to reassure the beneficiaries that they remain valued members of the police family and would not be abandoned despite the loss of their loved ones.
“Our widows have shown remarkable strength in the face of adversity. Today’s programme is a demonstration of our commitment to stand by them, provide practical support and empower them to build better lives for themselves and their families,” Tijani said.
She urged the beneficiaries to remain hopeful and united while taking advantage of empowerment opportunities provided by the association to become more economically self-reliant.
The POWA chairperson also assured that the association would continue to design programmes aimed at improving the welfare of widows and children of deceased police officers across the state.
She further appealed to corporate organisations, development partners, philanthropic institutions and public-spirited Nigerians to partner with POWA in expanding support for families of police personnel who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the nation.
Tijani expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force and other stakeholders for their continued support towards the association’s humanitarian and welfare programmes.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Secretary of the Late Police Officers’ Wives Association, Mrs. Modupe Adebayo, expressed profound gratitude to POWA, describing the gesture as timely and deeply encouraging in the face of prevailing economic hardships.
She said the cash assistance and food items would provide much-needed relief to many widows struggling to cater for their families, while urging the association to sustain the initiative.
Beyond the distribution of relief materials, the programme also featured a health awareness session and free medical screening, during which the beneficiaries received health education and underwent basic medical examinations, including blood pressure and blood sugar checks.
The initiative underscored POWA’s broader commitment to not only providing immediate relief but also promoting the health, dignity and long-term wellbeing of widows of fallen police officers.
