The Ogun State Governor; Prince Dapo Abiodun has called on the Police Officer's Wives Association (POWA) to equip themselves with medical knowledge that could assist it in looking after the health of its members as well as their spouses.

           Governor Dapo Abiodun who made this known at the Governor's office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta when he hosted the wife of the 22nd Inspector General of Police and members of the Police Officer's Wives Association (POWA), noted that basic health knowledge like knowing one’s blood pressure, general health status, as well as regular medical check-ups, have become imperative to safeguard the wellbeing and wellness of their members.

          "I also want to use this opportunity to advise on taking necessary precautionary measures to address likely health issues arising from the hazards of their jobs as police Officers since a lot goes into it. I want to encourage your association to work with members so that they can support their husbands with a view to protecting them from diseases that are silent killers including diabetes and hypertension among others.

          Abiodun assured the association of the State government's support of its Young Women in Agriculture Program towards integrating the program in the State.

          Prince Dapo Abiodun who was represented by his Deputy; Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele also disclosed that various vocational training programmes embarked upon by his administration would also be of benefit to members of the association.

          Earlier in his remarks, the President, Police Officer's Wives Association (POWA); Elizabeth Egbetokun noted that the association recognizes the critical role of women in agriculture,  as an essential sector that does not only sustain livelihood but could create wealth for them.

          Egbetokun, who also noted that women play a pivotal role in advancing food security, added that the Young Women in Agriculture Programme seeks to equip young women with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities needed to improve their livelihood while it is a veritable tool for sustenance to their members who are widows.

          "As the president of the Police Officer's Wives Association, I have the privilege to first-hand data on the number of widows within our association as well as their plights in sustaining their respective families following the demise of their husbands.

          " The effect of being bereaved and losing a breadwinner of the family can only be best imagined. The widows are left to go through different processes of healing and advancement and worse still, is the reality of being left to solely cater for themselves and the children as the case may be.

          " For these widows, there is no better means of livelihood than agriculture, a sustainable, prosperous and robust venture that has numerous benefits for the citizens and the country," she said.

          On his part, the President of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Read and Earn Federation (UNESCO REF); Prince Abdulsalami Ladigbolu while giving a technical view on the project, said the association has identified 50,000 women for capacity building in line with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

          Ladigbolu, while noting that the association is looking for partnership in securing available lands for the project, commended Government at different levels for their support, informing that the Police Officer's Wives Association (POWA) is working with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Read and Earn Federation  (UNESCO REF) intervention programs to help a minimum of 5,000 youths in the state through an ' Intellectual and Economic Capacity Building Initiative'.