POWA Empowers Widows of Fallen Police Officers in Bauchi

The Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), Bauchi State Chapter, has commemorated the 2026 International Widows Day by providing empowerment packages to widows of police officers who lost their lives in active service, reaffirming its commitment to improving their welfare and economic independence.

The event, held under the theme, "From Grief to Growth: Building a Brighter Future for Widows," formed part of activities marking the annual global observance dedicated to supporting widows and raising awareness about their challenges.

Chairperson of POWA in Bauchi State, Hajiya Fatimah Sani-Omolori, said the initiative aligns with the association's welfare mandate to care for families of police personnel who paid the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation.

She explained that the empowerment programme was designed to provide relief to beneficiaries while recognising the sacrifices made by their late husbands in safeguarding lives and maintaining peace and security in Bauchi State and across Nigeria.

Sani-Omolori reiterated the association's commitment to strengthening the economic capacity of police widows through skills acquisition programmes, entrepreneurship training and other initiatives aimed at helping them become self-reliant.

The beneficiaries received various empowerment items, including bags of rice and sugar, cartons of vegetable oil, Point of Sale (POS) machines and mats.

The POWA chairperson also acknowledged the support of the Commissioner of Police in Bauchi State, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, for prioritising the welfare of officers and their families and for supporting the association's activities.

She further appreciated the contributions of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Wunti Alheri Foundation and Fidelity Bank Plc, whose support made the programme possible.

Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Coordinator of the Ladies of the Police Officers Wives Association (LAPOWA), Mrs Lois Maje Bala, expressed gratitude to POWA, its partners and the Bauchi State Police Command, describing the intervention as timely and encouraging.

As part of the programme, Mrs Abigail Ardo, ANIPR, delivered a lecture on the 2026 International Widows Day theme, followed by an interactive question-and-answer session.

Goodwill messages were presented by representatives of the supporting organisations, including Mustapha Ango, Director of Programmes at the Wunti Alheri Foundation, Love Shipid of Fidelity Bank Plc and representatives of the North East Development Commission.

The Commissioner of Police, represented by Deputy Commissioner of Police Musa M. Bulus, commended POWA for its continued support to the families of fallen officers and assured that the Bauchi State Police Command would sustain its partnership with the association to ensure that widows of deceased police personnel are not neglected