By Okosun Dennis
The President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Mrs. Elizabeth Egbetokun has presented cheques to children of deceased/serving children of police officers in tertiary institutions as scholarship grants to enable them to pursue their educational career.
The scholarship initiated by the wife of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Dr. (Mrs) Folayemi Owohunwa was awarded after intense screening of beneficiaries.
According to Mrs Egbetokun, “Any investment in children is not a waste but a good investment that would brighten their future to face the challenges ahead.
The presentation of scholarship and N300,000 monetary donation to the representatives of Police Primary Schools in Obalende 1, Okota, Epe, Satellite Town, Idimu, and Ikeja took place at the POWA Secretariat, Oduduwa Street, Ikeja, on Friday, August 25, 2023.
Describing the beneficiaries as an “embodiment of perseverance and living proof of that dream parents always crave for,” she added, “We are gathered here as a force for positive change and we know that education transforms lives.”
A total of 35 beneficiaries received a cheque of N200,000 each with 32 of them in various universities, one in the College of Education and two in the Polytechnics.
Mrs Egbetokun further stated, “This award is a testament to your potential,” stressing that education empowers us with knowledge but transforms us to be agents of positive change.”
While congratulating them, she advised against being involved in any form of crime that would smear their image or that of the Nigerian Police Force.
However, on her part, the Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibironke Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Mrs Funmi Omotosho felicitated with the students and applauded POWA for their concern in advancing the educational development of the barracks community.
While calling on them to snub criminal tendencies, she observed that the scholarship is poised to assist them in their educational careers hence it is vital to reposition our children for the emerging world and face the realities of the future.
Expressing his joy and satisfaction, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Idowu Owohunwa said that the award of scholarship is a legacy Lagos State Police Command deeply appreciated.
“Events like this motivate us and POWA has touched their lives now and their future. We are challenged not because it took place, but because this is the beginning. We pray people behind us would sustain this noble idea. It is by pulling from poverty, that wealth is made.”
CP Owohunwa made a token donation on behalf of the Command and Commanders, and called on the beneficiaries to be hard working and refrain from bad associations, avoid bad gangs that would frustrate this initiative,” CP Owohunwa reemphasized.
Earlier in her remarks, the Chairperson, POWA, Lagos Chapter, Dr (Mrs) Folayemi Owohunwa said the aim of the award is to provide assistance to families of deceased and serving Police officers.
In addition to the awards, she disclosed that 20 youths from various barracks were sent for training between the 8th to 18th of August 2023 in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to sharpen their ICT knowledge and competencies.
Excited by the huge crowd that graced the occasion, Mrs Owohunwa noted that the award of scholarship was not just an intervention but an empowerment to create a meaningful future.
She cautioned them to take the opportunity of the scholarship as “a key to brighten their future” and remember that they are ambassadors of the Nigerian Police Force and, as such leverage the opportunity to take advantage of the opportunity.
In his Goodwill message, the Olowo of Oworo, His Royal Highness, Oba Babatunde Salihu commended POWA for their ingenuity in assisting barracks children in their educational pursuit with the grants. He pledged a handsome donation to support to initiative.
In an interview with one of the beneficiaries, Miss Abraham Precious Eleojo, a Human Physiology student at Kogi State University said she was elicited by the award.
“When my mother called me, I thought she was joking. I appreciated POWA National President and Chairperson, Lagos Chapter of POWA for her generosity and kind-heartedness. My prayer is for the Almighty God to uphold her to be able to do more and extend this scholarship award to more children of deceased and serving Policemen,” Eleojo said.
The occasion was spiced up with the sonorous rendition by a woman Corporal Adebisi Adebowale, who, through her song held the audience spellbound among other attractions.
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