By Egufe Yafugborhi

CHAIRPERSON of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Akwa Ibom state, Mrs Runke Ayilara, says it takes extraordinary strength and courage to be a police officer’s wife and the challenge of remaining one require deliberate societal support for families of police officers.

Mrs Ayilara, wife of the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom Command, shared the feeling weekend at the State Police Command Headquarters, Uyo in celebration of the 60th anniversary of POWA with the theme, ‘Strength of the Police’.

The state POWA boss said police officers’ wives boost their husbands’ bravery, agility and resilience in the line of duty because they (wives) do more to run their homes so their husbands can stay focused on their jobs.

She emphasised, “It takes strengthen, courage and determination to remain a police officer’s wife. At home, we take on responsibilities our husbands should have helped us with if they were home, and so they can stay adaptive, agile and resilient at work. Police Officers’ Wives are the strength of the Force.”

She lauded the Nigeria Police Force, and POWA National Chairperson, Mrs Elizabeth Egbetokun, for allowing POWA members wear their husbands’ rags for the anniversary, saying the provilege makes them feel “gallant”.

On the footprints of POWA at 60, Ayilara said the body has established skills acquisition centre to train members and children, commending her husband, CP Waheed Ayila and the State Police Command at large for supporting the association.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ayilara, hailed the President of POWA on the anniversary, reaffirming it was “great honour” allowing their wives appear on police uniforms for the event.

The CP urged POWA to sustain the association so as many members will continue to benefit from its values while suing for their continuous support and cooperation for their husbands.

The anniversary celebration featured special parade by POWA and Wives of Mobile Police Officers from MOPOL 57, Idoro.