Philanthropist gives succour to widows of police officers

THE atmosphere was sober, yet there was excitement in the air at the Police Headquarters, Owerri, Imo State when a notable and concerned son of the state, Nze Franklin Iwunze, extended his empowerment programme and love to the wives of slain policemen in the area. The widows, who were about 30, sang and drummed all the way to welcome their host.

Apart from the women, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu, accompanied by other top police officers, were on hand to receive Nze Iwunze. Addressing the gathering, Nze Franklin Iwunze, the Ogbuagu of Nkwerre, said he was touched by the death of policemen, who sacrificed their lives in defense of the nation.

He stated that although, he invited the women to empower them financially, the widows needed the support of all Nigerians so survive and give their children quality education, stressing that Winston Churchill, former British Prime Minister, once said “we make a living by what we get and make a life by what we give”.

The excited Imo State Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu, commended the philanthropic spirit of Nze Franklin Iwunze, pointing out that in his many years of service as a police officer, he had not seen anyone who thought it wise to remember widows of slain police officers, especially at this crucial period of festivity and enjoined other public spirited individuals in the country to borrow a leaf from the Ogbuagu of Nkwerre.

Responding on behalf of the widows, the Welfare Officer of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Imo State Police Command, Mrs. Angela Chinweuba, showered praises on the Ogbuagu for his kindness and demonstration of love.

Highlight of the historic occasion was the official handing over of a huge cash gift and 80 bags of rice to the Imo State commissioner of police, Taiwo Lakanu, by Nze Franklin Iwunze, for the widows. The donor said he hoped the cash gift would assist the women to train their children in school.