Widows and orphans of deceased Police men and officers have been empowered with cash gifts and equipment worth millions of naira to assist them to be self reliant and wealth creators.

The Abia State Police Commissioner, Mr Adamu Ibrahim, disclosed in Umuahia during the distribution of the various items at the Officers’ Mess, that the effort was aimed at alleviating the sufferings faced by the women after losing their breadwinners.

He noted that the equipment were given to them free of charge and that the empowerment programme was put together by the Police Officers Wives’ Association (POWA). The items given out includes sewing machines, grinding mills, hair dressing equipment, cash gifts among many other things.

He added that, this was a way of encouraging the widows of deceased police officers to assure them that all hope was not lost.

The names of the beneficiaries were called out and they lined up to receive their packages which was distributed and handed over to them by the wife of the Commissioner of Police, Hadiza Adamu.

Responding, some of the beneficiaries, amidst tears of joy and dancing, expressed gratitude for the kindness shown to them by POWA and promised to make judicious use of the materials given to them.

The Commissioner expressed optimism that as the women carried their gifts and equipment to start up their own businesses, there was no doubt that the empowerment by POWA would go a long way to put money on their tables and improve their socioeconomic status.