Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara has reiterated his administration preparedness to support Police Officers Wives Association (POWA) to achieve their goals as well as make lasting impact on the State.
The Governor said that this would have a sustainable impact on the State which would count without any distractions.
Governor Fubara disclosed this while speaking to the delegation of POWA led by the wife of the Inspector General of Police, Dr. Mrs. Elizabeth Egbetokun who paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt on Friday.
The governor noted that his administration is focused at delivering good governance to the people despite challenges, and assured of his commitment to providing quality leadership that will meet the expectations of the people.
He called on the wives of the Police officers to prevail on their husbands to always stand for what is right and be professional in their responsibilities, adding that it is better to leave a legacy of good name that will pave the way for their children in the future than to engage in activities that will block opportunities for them.
“Advise your husbands, let them continue to stand on the path of truth. It doesn’t matter who is in control today, but nothing lasts forever, what last forever is the truth.”
“Lead a life when your name is mentioned, today you are the IGP, but tomorrow you won’t be there. When that name is mentioned somewhere, people will say, that is a good man. You won’t be there again to defend yourself, but now the name can pave the way for you. So please, because the truth about it is that we are the heads, while you are the neck that controls the heads.”
Gov. Fubara applauded the wife of the IGP and Police Officers’ Wives Association for the initiative of looking after the widows of fallen officers, which gives them a sense of belonging and cushions the effects of the absence of their departed husbands.
“I strongly believe that if the CP is not doing what is right you won’t be here. It means he is living up to his responsibilities. Let me also commend his wife for finding time and willing to also spend the resources because one thing is having the time and another is to also spend the resources to leave a landmark, something that the Police of Rivers State will not forget in a hurry. It doesn’t matter how big, what is important is giving back to the Society and I am happy that one of the cardinal objectives of this body is to support the family of officers. You might think what you are doing is nothing but it goes a long way to assure the Police Officers and their wives that even if they are no more somebody is there to look out for them. So I want to encourage you to continue to do that.”
The governor commended the professional conduct of the Police Commissioner, Rivers State Command, CP Olatunji Disu which has contributed in stabilizing the State and sustaining the prevailing peace, adding that he will be willing to write positive recommendations for him whenever he is called upon.
“CP Disu, on our own part if there is any support that we can give to POWA for any future projects don’t hesitate to get to us. You have been a very wonderful officer, I need to say this to be on record. You found yourself in a very difficult situation, but have been very unbiased and fair, so I want to commend you for that. Continue to be unbiased and don’t shift the balance. We will do everything to give you the support for you to succeed.”
“So, we should learn and work as professionals. I can say boldly here, please the IGP’s wife, you can transmit this to the Inspector General of the Police, CP Disu has been very professional. Without Disu, this State would have been destroyed. So, if they need a recommendation letter on him, let them come, I will give them.”
He assured the support of his government to any subsequent project embarked upon by the association in Rivers State, and urged them to continue to pray for the State so that peace and development will be sustained.
The governor thanked the Police Officers’ wives for the honour of visiting as a mark of respect for his government, adding that they should continue to intercede for the State in high places as the State wants peace at all times, stressing that he is a man of peace and truth promising not to depart from that path which has been sustaining his administration.
“Please, help us to pray for Rivers State, and intercede for us. There are places we cannot reach, but our message today is going to those places, that is the request we are making as a government. We do not want any trouble, what we are doing here is governance.”
“Let me thank everyone of you. This is who we are, I am the same person that I have been, the same peace loving person who will always tell you the truth and I will respect you. And because of that respect and the truth that is why we are still standing and God is still guiding us in the face of every problem.”
In her remarks, the wife of the Inspector General of Police, and President of Police Officers Wives Association, (POWA), Dr. Mrs. Elizabeth Egbetokun thanked the governor for receiving them, adding that they made it a point of duty to pay a visit to the governor as a matter of responsibility and mark of respect, especially to commend him for all his support to the association.
She said her mission in the State is to commission the POWA Shopping complex built by the State Chairperson and wife of the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, Mrs. Tunji Disu as well as check on the welfare of widows of fallen officers in the State.
