'INCORPORATE REGULAR EXERCISES INTO DAILY ACTIVITIES' - POWA PRESIDENT, ELIZABETH EGBETOKUN CHARGE OFFICERS' WIVES

The importance of health and wellness to the lifestyle of Police officers and the overall benefit of their entire family has again been placed at the front burner. This call was reiterated yesterday at the Sport and Fitness event held during the Day 2 of the ongoing Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) national convention currently holding in Lagos.

The National President of the association and wife of the IGP Egbetokun, Dr. Mrs. Elizabeth Egbetokun stated that the sport segment was intentionally added to the lineup of activities to encourage the women who will in turn bring the message to their families. ‘This is why we have incorporated exercise into today’s activities. I urge everyone to participate, enjoy yourself.’

‘Do consider how to incorporate regular exercises into your daily activities and extend it into your family as well’, Mrs. Egbetokun charged.

In the same vein, the public health practitioner, Mrs. Maimuna Mohammed who gave a brief health talk at the event shared: ‘We are letting them know the prevalence and risk factors of hypertension in Police families while letting them also know the implications and impact of living a healthy life in the good performance of our officers which start from home.’

‘The women are encouraged to make their homes comfortable so that our husbands are always performing well at their various duty posts.’

Fun activities such as tug of war competitions were held among POWA Executive management team, Wives of AIGs, CPs, DCPs during the sports segment.

It is important to highlight that POWA was founded in 1984 with the mission to enhance the quality of life of Police families through Empowerment, education, and welfare-oriented initiatives. Its early days can be traced to informal gatherings of police officers’ wives as far back as the 1970s, when they came together to support each other emotionally and materially, especially during transfers, bereavements, and social dislocations. With time, the necessity for a more structured platform became apparent, especially in addressing the unique social and economic challenges facing the families of police personnel. POWA in 1984 marked a turning point. Initially focused on welfare activities such as visitation to barracks, orphanages, and hospitals, Today, POWA stands not only as a welfare body but as a transformative social force that amplifies the voices of police families, fosters community development, and advances the cause of women in security-linked spaces. Its journey reflects resilience, adaptation, and purposeful evolution.

The 2025 national convention will close with Day 3 events which will feature a Talent Hunt show and special Dinner on Friday 1st August at Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.