As DEPOWA President Reaffirms Commitment to Strengthening Welfare and Support Systems for Police and Military Families

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has commended the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) for its sustained efforts in promoting the welfare, cohesion, and resilience of families within the Nigeria Police Force and the wider security community, while reaffirming the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to supporting the Association’s programmes and initiatives.

The IGP gave the commendation on Monday, 22 December 2025, when he received the President of DEPOWA, Mrs. Mernan Femi Oluyede, alongside members of the Association’s National Executive Council on a courtesy visit to the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Inspector-General Egbetokun described DEPOWA as a strategic partner in strengthening the home front, noting that the effectiveness of policing is closely linked to the stability, well-being, and morale of officers’ families. He emphasised that strong family support systems play a critical role in enhancing professionalism, discipline, and operational effectiveness within the Force, particularly in the face of evolving internal security challenges.

The Police Chief encouraged DEPOWA to sustain its welfare-driven, empowerment, and psychosocial support initiatives, stressing that such interventions significantly contribute to improving the quality of life of police families and reinforcing institutional stability. He assured the DEPOWA delegation of the Nigeria Police Force’s continued cooperation and support towards the successful implementation of the Association’s programmes nationwide.

Earlier in her remarks, the President of DEPOWA, Mrs. Mernan Femi Oluyede, commended the IGP on his leadership of the Nigeria Police Force and reaffirmed DEPOWA’s unwavering commitment to strengthening support systems for families of personnel of the Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police. She emphasised that behind every officer on duty stands a family that serves quietly and sacrificially, underscoring the importance of ensuring that such families are adequately supported, empowered, and protected.

Mrs. Oluyede commended the IGP’s focus on professionalism, accountability, capacity building, and improved welfare for police personnel, describing these priorities as critical to effective policing and public trust. She further solicited the continued support of the Nigeria Police Force to enable DEPOWA to effectively implement its programmes in the areas of women’s empowerment, youth development, skills acquisition, and psychosocial support.

She assured the IGP of DEPOWA’s readiness to continue complementing the Nigeria Police Force’s non-kinetic efforts through initiatives that promote family welfare, community resilience, and social cohesion, in support of national security and internal stability.

Highlights of the courtesy visit were the presentation of souvenirs and a group photograph session.

AYOBAMI ONI-ORISAN
Major
Liaison Officer
Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association
27 December 2025