The Police Officers Wives Association (POWA),Nasarawa State chapter, has empowered 25 widows of slain officers with various items worth millions of naira to ameliorate their plights and improved their livelihood.
Mrs Chuza Longe, state Chairperson of POWA and wife of the Commissioner of Police in the state, presented the items to widows at an award ceremony on Tuesday in Lafia.
The items distributed included 18 grinding machines, two sewing machines and five hair dryers.
Longe said that the gesture was aimed at cushioning the hardship being experienced by the widows whose husbands were killed in the line of duty on national assignments.
She said that the award ceremony was also to appreciate, celebrate and support the serving officers to give in their best in the service of the nation.
“Apart from celebrating our husbands, we are also empowering the widows whose husbands died in active service.
“So, we are able to bring together grinding machines, sewing machines, hair dryers and other items we can’t disclose here due to want of time.
“We want to tell the officers who died that we love and celebrate them even in death,” she said.
The chairperson appreciated the state Gov. Abdullahi Sule for his achievements so far and for various support to the association.
In his remarks, the governor lauded POWA for its humanitarian gesture at alleviating the sufferings of widows among them.
Sule also donated N1million, 50 bags of rice, 75 bags of Semolina, 10 cartoons of spaghetti, 10 cartons of Indomie noodles and 100 bags of sugar to assist the widows.
The governor thanked the Commissioner of Police, Bola Longe, and his team for their efforts toward combating crime in the state.
“I want to thank a pastor, a man of God, the professional police officer, CP Bola Longe, for the wonderful things he has continued to do for Nasarawa State and for Nigeria at large.
“You and your team have redefined protection of citizens when it comes to police affairs in Nasarawa State,’’ he said.
Also speaking, Longe said the event which was the maiden edition in the state was meant to recognise those who had contributed to successes recorded in the fight against criminality.
He thanked the governor for his support to the command to enable them carry out their job of protecting lives and property in the state.
The event also featured presentation of the award of Transformative Leader to thegovernor, while the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, bagged the award of Rare Achiever.