Engr. (Mrs.) Zahra Bunu Abubakar is the amiable wife of the Inspector General of Police. She is also the President of Police Officers Wives Association (POWA). In this interview, she talked about her private life and how she has repositioned POWa. Read on…

It has been months since you officially became the President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association, how has the journey been so far?

To say the least, it’s been challenging and this year being our 50th anniversary, I’m obviously trying to change directions and focus of POWA. So, it hasn’t been easy.

The current administration is trying to focus on an environment whereby women and police families are educated and empowered in a generally integrated environment. So, what POWA is trying to focus on is the three Es, which are empowerment, education and engagement.

A lot of women are idle. We all know that sourcing for funds is quite challenging. At the moment, we solicit for funds from the general public, captains of industries and individuals. It is worthy to note that the Nigeria Police Force has always been of support to POWA. I feel if they are empowered, they would have every reason to contribute their portion in actualizing the vision of POWA.

What are some of the challenges that you have encountered as the head of an organisation like POWA?

Generally, with every new thing. Trying to get everyone in line with the new vision and little challenges. Funding is a huge challenge. With the 50th anniversary coming up, we are trying to do a fundraising.

You have talked so much about the 50th anniversary, what is it all about?

POWA is 50 this year, we have lined up activities which comprise sports, talent shows, fundraising and dinner, among others. The sporting activity and talent show are meant to engage our children, we have prizes for winners. We shall be partnering the IGP to further encourage and support the winners. The talent show is for both the women and children of police officers. A lot of them don’t have the platform to showcase their talents. This is also an opportunity to bring them to limelight.

The POWA week is also coming up between May 15 and 17. On the first day, there will be the opening ceremony and finals of the POWA games. On the second day, we shall have a groundbreaking ceremony for our youths at the skills and acquisition centres in Dei Dei barracks. We also plan to visit hospitals, orphanages and widows. On the last day, there will be fundraising dinner and the proceeds will be used to assist the women in acquiring.

Who are your sponsors?

There are some organisations and industries that are already donating towards this programme. We are still seeking the support of other individuals and organisations, whether in cash or kind.

Do your responsibilities extend to the wives of the rank and file?

Yes, they are included. A lot of the wives of the rank and file have been left out, but this time round, we are carrying them along. When I took over, we visited the barracks and had meetings with them just to listen to their grievances and know how we can help them. Some of the things that are lined up as our strategy are actually from the feedback that we got from these women and they are responding. During our visits to the barracks, we brought in welfare and pension experts to lecture and enlighten them on these important issues. We are holding discussions with Police Microfinance Bank to help give soft loans to these women.

It’s no longer news that families of deceased policemen go through hell before they get their entitlements. What is POWA doing about this?

When I visited the barracks, I heard several complaints and the issue of entitlement was raised. What we did during subsequent visits was to go along with the CP welfare, so that he can also hear from these women. The main problem is that the women do not have the knowledge or the process of getting their husband’s entitlements. Some of them do not know who the next of kin is. Most of them must have joined the police when they were single and did not deem it fit to reflect the changes when they got married. We also educated them on the processes and volunteered to step in and help them sort these things out as members of POWA.

Have you recorded any success in that regard?

So far, we have about two women who complained last year. I asked them to go and get their documents. The main obstacle that most of these women encounter is their inability to provide documents or proof that they are married to the affected police officers.

Several women claim that they have been forced out of the barracks even before their entitlements are paid. What is POWA doing to mitigate their hardship?

Also, during the visit, we enlightened the women because there are so many of them who will still stay back even after collecting their entitlements. Some are living there even after so many years after their husbands are deceased and the entitlements paid, but we are doing all we can to support them.

So far, what are some of the achievements that your administration has recorded in the past months?

There are little things that we have done so far and we have achieved a lot. We have trained the wives of the rank and file. We have built a multipurpose hall and skill acquisition centre in Lagos. A primary school was also renovated in Asaba, Delta State.

We are also trying to build a youth centre in Dei Dei barracks, which is the biggest barracks in Abuja. There will be skill acquisition centre for the women as well.

We are also visiting all the barracks here in Abuja to find out how we can empower the women. I am also driving a new culture of cleanliness in the barracks, we have enforced meetings and sanitation in the barracks, and mapped out sanctions for defaulters.

In the nearest future, we intend to partner a company and try to establish a poultry farm for women. This will be done here in Abuja and we are hoping that at least 500 women will be beneficiaries of this project. Once it is successful, we hope to replicate similar stuff in other states.

How do you wish to be remembered?

Some of the things that I would love to be remembered for when my husband retires as the IG is an empowered and changed POWA. Even if I touch the lives of 500 members of POWA before I leave, a situation where they will be empowered, will be a milestone. Another thing that I hope to achieve is a sustainable POWA where subsequent leaders will ensure continuity.

Did you ever envisage that you would be married to a police officer?

Back in the days when I talked about a husband, I never thought of what his profession would be. I doubt if I ever wished to be married to a military person especially a policeman.

Why?

It’s just not something that crossed my mind. And the truth is that those days, our belief of the police was the one you saw on the road.

What was your initial reaction when he asked you to marry him?

I was very happy. Obviously from the North and the age that I got married, I never thought that I will meet a man who is still single. I was extremely happy.

Does the fact that you are married to the IGP change your person?

No, the only thing that it has changed is that I have to behave older than I am, knowing that a lot of police officers’ wives are my mother’s mate. It comes with a lot of responsibilities and there are things that if I wasn’t married to the IGP would ordinary do or visit places, which, I no longer do.

What is it like being the wife of the Inspector General of Police?

I wasn’t used to being in the limelight, I am more of a private person. Initially, it was quite challenging but he supported, guided and protected me and now I am better off.

As the IGP, the demands of the job will always keep him on the move; does that bother you as a young wife?

I knew who I was getting married to. It would be childish on my path to expect him to always be here. I also know the security situation in the country and how much Nigerians need him. I also know that security in our country should be given utmost priority in order to create a better country and conducive environment for our children. Despite his tight schedule, he tries his best to create time for his family, as you can see, I’m pregnant.

As a career lady and the president of POWA, your responsibility has doubled. How do you intend to strike a balance between all these and your duties as a wife?

The truth is that whether you are working in any organisation, you still have to treat your family first. As police officers wives, our responsibilities are to support our husbands. In terms of balancing between my job, POWA and family, my office has been supportive. I am trying my best.

Are you saying that no woman has an excuse not to strike a balance?

Honestly, it is a matter of determination and you must set priorities right. I have the support of my husband and my family in general and that has helped me.

I should be right to say that the IGP is highly domesticated and is helping out in the kitchen and cleaning up the house?

Not in the kitchen but he helps in other things. He helps in tiding up the room but definitely not the kitchen. He can only boil water.

IG will soon be a daddy, how many more are we expecting?

Why don’t we wait for the one that is on the way to be delivered healthy before we start procreating more?

– Sun Newspaper