Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged wives of police officers to encourage their husbands to discharge their duties professionally.
He made this appeal while receiving the National President of Police Officers Wives’ Association, Mrs. Elizabeth Egbetokun, at Government House in Port Harcourt.
Governor Fubara acknowledged the challenges facing his administration, citing self-styled adversaries seeking to frustrate governance and induce violence, according to Independent.
However, he remains committed to delivering positive impacts and leaving a lasting legacy.
The Governor praised POWA’s accomplishments, particularly their support for widows, and commended the Commissioner of Police, Disu, for his professionalism.
The Governor said: “I strongly believe that if the Commissioner of Police (CP) is not doing what is right, you won’t be here. It means, he is living up to his responsibility.
“Let me also commend the wife (of the commissioner) for finding the time and willing to also spend the resources. One thing is to have the time, and the other is to be willing to spend the resources to leave a landmark; something that the police in Rivere State will not forget in a hurry.
“It doesn’t matter how big, what is important is giving back to the society. And I am happy that one of the cardinal objectives of this body (POWA) is giving back to society.
“You might think that what you are doing is nothing, but it goes a long way to assure the police officers, their wives that even if they are no more, somebody is there to look out in their stead for their wives. So, I want to encourage you to continue to do that.
“On our own part as a government, I think from my own record, I have been giving so much support to this association. This is not the first time. I know ones or twice, they have written to me for something, and I have supported them. I support them because I am also from the military background.”
He added, “And I can say boldly here, our mummy, you can transmit this one: Disu has been very professional. Without Disu, this State would have been destroyed. I can tell you that without this man being professional, this State would have been destroyed. If they need a recommendation letter, let them come, I will give them.
“You’ve been a very wonderful officer. I need to say this, let it be on record: You found yourself in a very difficult situation, but you’ve been really balanced. So, I want to commend you for that. Continue to be balanced, don’t shift the balance. We will do everything to give you the support for you to succeed more.
“What is important, I keep saying, I want where my children’s name would be mentioned; they say Fubara, do you know so, so person, they say he is my father, the response will be ‘good, good’. That is the greatest legacy anyone can keep.”
Mrs. Egbetokun, POWA’s National President, expressed gratitude for Governor Fubara’s support and highlighted the association’s empowerment programs for women.
She also commissioned the POWA Shopping Complex in Port Harcourt.
She said, “We are here in this State. The chairperson here told us that she has built a POWA Shopping Complex. So, we are here to commission it, and by the special grace of God, we have done that this afternoon.
“And we are able to empower our women, those who need our support, and that is what we have done. But it is actually a tradition in POWA that whenever we are in a State, we like to visit the Governor, and let him know about our activities. That is why we are here this evening, Sir.”
Governor Fubara assured continued support for POWA and encouraged them to continue giving back to society. He emphasized the importance of building a good name and leaving a lasting legacy.
The Governor’s meeting with POWA’s leadership underscores his commitment to fostering partnerships and promoting professionalism within the police force.
