Convention: POWA empowers more members, promotes healthy living By Chinedu AnolueThe Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) on Friday empowered more members with vocational tools and equipment while promoting healthy living as part of activities marking its 2026 Annual Convention in Abuja.The empowerment programme, held at Police Day Secondary School, Abuja, formed part of POWA’s commitment to improving the welfare and economic well-being of membersThe POWA’s President, Mrs Mutiat Disu, addressing participants, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to initiatives that promoted health, economic empowerment and the overall welfare of police families under the “POWA CARES” initiative.Disu said that the convention’s theme, “The Resilient Woman: Navigating Life’s Challenges with Strength, Purpose and Grace”, underscored the need for women to remain steadfast while prioritising self-care.She described resilience as the ability not only to endure life’s challenges, but to grow through them by transforming obstacles into opportunities.She also noted that empowering women ultimately strengthened families, communities and the nation at large.“Today’s presentation of empowerment items is another step in that journey.“These items are more than tools or equipment. They represent opportunities, dignity and renewed hope.“We hope they will serve as seeds that will grow into thriving businesses, stronger households and brighter futures,” she said.The POWA president also expressed appreciation to development partners and collaborators whose support made the empowerment programme possible.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured the presentation of empowerment items to selected beneficiaries drawn from POWA chapters and sister organisations.Items distributed included deep freezers, gas cookers, sewing machines, industrial gas burners, grinding machines, laptops, popcorn machines, makeup boxes, large steel frying pans and gas cylinders.A major highlight of the programme was the graduation ceremony of trainees from the POWA Skills Acquisition Centre in Dei-Dei.The graduands, trained in Information Technology, Fashion and Design, Cakes and Pastry, and Makeover, showcased products made during their training, including cakes presented to the POWA president.Delivering a keynote address, the 21st National President of POWA, Hajiya Hajara Alkali-Baba, congratulated the graduands and urged them to make productive use of the skills acquired.She recalled that the skills acquisition centre was renovated during her tenure and expanded with additional training units, including a computer section designed to provide educational opportunities for women.Alkali-Baba encouraged the graduands to remain focused and utilise their newly acquired skills to build sustainable livelihoods.Certificates and gift items were presented to outstanding graduands by Disu, while medals were awarded to winners of the sporting events.NAN also reports that the day two of the POWA convention commenced with a free medical screening where participants had their blood pressure and blood sugar levels checked before taking part in a health walk around the school premises.Participants were led by the POWA’s president alongside members of the national delegates and sister associations.Speaking during a health talk, Mrs Halima Usman, a medical practitioner and Founder of Hali Healthy Living, urged women to prioritise their health by managing stress effectively.According to her, stress remains one of the leading causes of hormonal imbalance among women and could result in serious health complications if not properly managed.Usman encouraged the women to maintain healthy eating habits by consuming more organic foods, drinking clean water regularly, engaging in routine physical exercise and ensuring adequate sleep.NAN
