Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir, has advocated for a review of some of the operational guidelines of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to encourage Northern women to join.
The Governor wants NPF to particularly look into its dressing code (uniform) to the one that would encourage active participation of women, especially from Northern parts of the country.
Recall that a few months ago, the Governor advocated for a Police Day just like the Armed Forces Remembrance Day to celebrate the outstanding performances of personnel of the NPF.
Bala Mohammed made the agitation on Tuesday when he fielded questions from Journalists shortly after granting audience to the Wife of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) who is the President of the Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), Dr Elizabeth Egbetokun, at Government House, Bauchi.
The Governor acknowledged the role of women police in ensuring peaceful coexistence among different people in society with divergent opinions and views.
He maintained that the system as it is now, is not encouraging participation of women from the Northern States due to the socio-cultural and religious differences.
He however applauded Elizabeth Egbetokun for introducing laudable initiatives aimed at empowering women in different areas of society.
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Continuing, Governor Bala reiterated his administration’s commitment to embracing all agricultural initiatives and programmes aimed at fostering economic growth and ensuring food security and availability.
He appreciated Ms Egbetokun’s philanthropic endeavours attributing the IGP’s innovation, creativity and invention to his Wife’s selflessness.
The Governor said that the auspicious programme will go a long way in alleviating poverty and hunger among Nigerians.
He also expressed his delight and satisfaction with the initiatives, saying that they will bring about a significant increase in agricultural productivity, improve food security, foster economic growth, and reduce poverty and idleness, thereby serving as a means of employment and livelihood for the people.
According to him, in recognition of the importance of agriculture as the primary source of employment for the majority of the people, upon assuming office, his administration swiftly formulated a comprehensive agricultural development plan.
He noted that this plan leverages the Bauchi land assets to unlock the state’s industrial potential.
The Governor further stated that agriculture is the backbone of the Bauchi economy, affirming that his administration has put all modalities on the ground for the transformation of the sector.
He stressed that it is “aimed at attracting investors, donor agencies, and development partners from both within and outside the country, which will add value and worth to our people, especially women and youth, as well as the economy.”
He then assured the visitor that his administration would continue to provide the necessary support for the smooth establishment and running of the program.
Speaking earlier, the Wife of the Inspector General of Police, Dr Elizabeth Egbetokun, said that she was in the state to inform the Governor of the newly introduced programme, Initiative of Young Women in Agriculture under the Police Agricultural Empowerment programme.
She, therefore, urged women from the state to avail themselves of the opportunity to improve the economic status of their various families by actively participating in the programme.
Ms Egbetokun lauded Governor Bala Mohammed for his outstanding performance in education, health and agriculture.
She said the POWA sponsors and promotes ideas, initiatives and programmes that will bring about social development in the society.
Egbetokun, while appreciating the warm reception she received, stated that the Women in Agriculture will sponsor and train one woman from each of the twenty Local Government Areas of Bauchi State in the United States of America, calling for continued support for the success of the programme.
She also called for ongoing assistance to ensure the programme’s success.
In attendance were officials of the POWA, distinguished personalities from the government, and other associates of the POWA President.
