By Abdul Kareem

In a gesture of solidarity and support, the Police Officers Wives Association (POWA) Borno State Chapter provided essential food items to the widows of officers who lost their lives in service and other vulnerable community members, marking the observance of International Women’s Day.

The initiative, commended by the Borno State Commissioner of Police, CP Yusufu Lawan, was designed to offer comfort amidst the economic struggles exacerbated by the ongoing insurgency and the rising cost of living.

Speaking at the Borno Police Command Headquarters, CP Lawan highlighted the significance of the day, saying that “It is also a day to remember the contributions of our wives to building the homes,” he said.

Lawan praised Mrs. Elizabeth Egbetokun, wife of Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police, for her role she is playinh in inspiring POWA to initiate the food drive during this critical time.

Barrister Zara Ibrahim Mohammed, Chairperson of POWA Borno State Chapter, spoke on the importance of International Women’s Day, a day celebrated globally on March 8 to advance gender equity.

“Investing in women helps in accelerating growth in society,” she said. “It is the only way to fight against every form of discrimination, including economic discrimination. This is why we are distributing food items to our women today.”

She also emphasized the broader implications of the day, which serves to bolster women’s rights and amplify their voices.

Barrister Mohammed said a total of 100 women and families received aid, which included not only the families of slain police personnel but also other members of the police community.

Each beneficiary, according to her, received a package containing a bag of rice, a gallon of cooking oil, and pasta products. While a symbolic distribution took place at the event, the remaining beneficiaries were instructed to collect their goods from the central stores.

CP Yusufu Lawan took the opportunity to advise police officers’ wives against permitting their daughters to hawk goods within the barracks and Police Headquarters. During the distribution of the palliatives, the Commissioner underscored the paramount importance of the girl child’s education in societal contributions.

“For our women, POWA, PWA, and LPW, my advice is for you to educate the girl-child. Allowing our daughters and teenagers to hawk in the Barracks and Police Headquarters is detrimental to their future,” Lawan cautioned.

He further stressed the significant impact of women’s votes in elections and the state government’s dedication to the education of the girl child, citing laws against street begging and hawking not as punishment but as encouragement for school enrollment.

“We must not be onlookers. Let us engage actively so that our girls’ futures can be secured,” Lawan concluded, calling for a collective effort to nurture the next generation of educated, empowered women.