The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has commended the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) for its enduring support to the Nigeria Police Force and its growing influence as a transformative force in national development.

Egbetokun urged members to embrace the principles of transformational leadership in order to unlock the full potential of the association and positively impact families and communities.

He spoke through the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, AIG Adegoke Fayoade, at the opening of the 2025 POWA National Convention in Lagos.

Egbetokun described POWA as a strategic pillar that continues to provide moral, emotional, and socio-economic support to police families nationwide.

Themed “Unlocking POWA Potentials and Transformational Leadership,” the national gathering brought together representatives from across the country to deliberate on empowering women, advancing community engagement, and strengthening the role of POWA in national development.

The IGP highlighted the journey of POWA from its informal beginnings in the 1970s to its formal establishment in 1984, praising its evolution into a structured platform championing women’s empowerment, youth mentoring, and welfare support.

He emphasised the importance of adopting transformational leadership qualities such as integrity, mentorship, vision, and innovation to drive sustainable change within the association and the broader society.

He noted that POWA today is not just a welfare body but a social force that bridges the gap between the police institution and civil society, helping to foster public trust, community resilience, and national stability.

Also speaking at the event, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who spoke through the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, described the conference as timely and impactful.

He commended the association for its continued dedication to the well-being of police families and the enhancement of law enforcement support systems.

The governor noted that the theme of the conference, “Unlocking POWA Potentials and Transformational Leadership,” was both relevant and thought-provoking, adding that POWA has consistently played a transformative role in improving the socio-economic conditions of police families across Nigeria.

According to him, the association fosters unity, empowerment, and a reliable support system for law enforcement families—values that are essential to the stability and effectiveness of the police force.

He described POWA as a multicultural community of women whose work deserves commendation for its noble mission and long-lasting impact on women and children, particularly within the security ecosystem.

In her remarks, the POWA National President and wife of the Inspector-General of Police, Elizabeth Egbetokun, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to supporting police officers and their families, while also contributing meaningfully to community development.

She said the theme of this year’s convention was deliberately chosen to encourage women to aspire to greater heights and to harness their full leadership potential.

Egbetokun described transformational leadership as a philosophy that promotes innovation, transparency, integrity, and mentorship—key elements in building a progressive and impactful organization.

She emphasised that unlocking potential involves nurturing individual strengths, empowering teams, fostering learning, and providing guidance that enables women to grow and contribute meaningfully to their families and society at large.

According to her, while every woman possesses unique qualities, these must be consciously harnessed through continuous self-improvement, embracing challenges, and stepping out of comfort zones.

The convention marked a renewed call for purposeful engagement, solidarity among members, and a reinvigorated commitment to using the platform of POWA not only for welfare support, but for nation-building, leadership development, and community transformation.