44—SATURDAY
Vanguard, JUNE 14, 2014
he leadership of the Nigeria Police Officers Wives Association, POWA, led by Engr. Mrs. Zara Bunu Abubakar during the week ended activities to commemorate their 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION with a plea to the abductors of the over 200 girls of the Government Secondary School, Chibok in Borno state to free them. In line with the mood of the nation concerning the girls, and as mothers who know what it feels like when a child is missing, the association decided to make the 50thth anniversary celebration, a low key affair. The activities however went ahead in very important aspects, starting with a SECURITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN. They took Security Awareness Campaign to major markets in Abuja including Wuse and Garki markets, where market women were sensitized on the need to be conscious of their environment, considering the prevailing security situation in the country. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Peace Ibekwe Abdallah was on hand to deliver security tips at the Security Awareness Campaign.
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VISIT TO VICTIMS OF NYANYA BOMB BLASTS AT NATIONAL HOSPITAL ABUJA
Mrs Zara Bunu Abubakar, POWA President (centre) with executive members of POWA
On same date, the delegation visited victims of Nyanya Bomb blasts in the National Hospital, Abuja. The hospital management who received the POWA delegation led them to wards where the victims were receiving treatments. They made cash donation to the 23 victims. There was also the POWA Games and Talent Show for whose preliminary competitions commenced three months earlier from the 37 Police Commands and Zones across the country. It came to a climax with finals which held at POWA International School, opposite the Force Headquarters, Abuja. The Inspector-General of Police was in attendance while the representatives of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA), NAOWA, NOWA and NAFOWA graced the event. Members of the Force Management Team, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police from the Force Headquarters, Zones and Commands were also in attendance. The sporting event commenced with calisthenics display by pupils of Police Children School, Port Harcourt. Police children of Zone 9 Umuahia defeated their counterparts from Zone 2 Lagos to claim the coveted Basketball trophy. The Football final between Police Children from Zone 1 Kano and Zone 6 Calabar ended in a goalless draw. The penalty shoot-out ended 5-4 in favour of Zone 1 Kano. Police Children of Zone 1 Kano emerged winners of the POWA Talent Show with their sterling performance in singing and dancing. Aside from the presentation of trophies and certificates, cash gifts, sporting shirts and other materials were presented as prizes to Police children who won in aforementioned categories.
POWA lift for widows, orphans istration for National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) by their spouses to enable them access free adequate health services for their families. The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of grinding machines, sewing machines by the POWA President to Police widows who won them through free raffle draws. Bags of rice were presented to other widows while school bags and other educational items were given to Police Orphans. On same day, a delegation led by the POWA President visited the Police Hospital Area 1, Abuja where a wheel chair and other medical consumables were donated to the hospital. The management of the hospital who were elated expressed their gratitude to POWA. POWA 50TH ANNIVERSARY FUNDRAISING DINNER The climax of the anniversary was the Fund-raising dinner which held at the prestigious Abuja International Conference Centre (ICC). The programme which started after the arrival of the POWA President; Eng. Mrs. Zahra BunuAbubakar and POWA Patron; the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar at about 8:00pm on 17th May, 2014 had many dignitaries of the society in attendance. Among the dignitaries at the occasion are the father of POWA President, Architect Ibrahim Bunu, His Excellency Captain Idris Wada; the Executive Governor of Kogi State, DEPOWA President, Mrs. Mary Iyah Badeh, representative of Chief of Defence Staff, friends and families of the POWA President and POWA Patron. Cash donations ranging fromN100,000 to N10 million were received from Governors, Captains of Industries, the Nigeria Police Force formations, Zones and Commands, friends and families at the occasion and their representatives at the fundraising dinner. Awards including posthumous ones were given to deserving personalities who contributed immensely to the development of POWA both now and in times past. The Night was not without entertainment by the host and members of POWA. Some of Nigeria’s best musicians including Iyanya and Banky ‘W’ dished out contemporary Nigerian most loved songs to the admiration of the members who trooped into the dance floor to celebrate the anniversary.
POWA also instituted a programme for the empowerment of Police widows and help for Police orphans. Representatives of the Nigeria Police Force Micro-Finance Bank gave a pep talk to the Police widows on the need for them to be self-sustaining through small scale businesses. They were also advised on how to access soft loans from the bank to bring their dreams to reality. Deputy Commissioner of Police Esther Dimka delegated by the IGP advised PWA members of the importance of reg-
POLICE CHILDREN
POWA also instituted a programme for the empowerment of Police widows and help for Police orphans
EMPOWERMENT FOR WIDOWS AND HELP FOR