Mrs Zahra Bunu-Abubakar is the President Police Officer's
Wives Association (POWA), and wife of the Inspector General
of Police. This pretty amiable personality has distinguished
herself by impacting on the lives of Police officers wives. In an
exclusive interview with Sweet Angel she reveals how she
intends to drive home the vision of POWA and how she met
her husband amongst other issues. Excerpts after the cut...
Madam can you briefly introduce yourself?I am Mrs Zahra
Bunu-Abubakar, I come from a very big family, not just a
nuclear family but extended family. I went to primary School
in Maiduguri, Secondary School in Jos Air force Military
School, after which I proceeded to UK for my A levels. I later
came back to study Civil Engineering in Ahmadu Bello
University Zaria after which I went for my Masters in
construction management. My Father is an architect and I
think that motivated my choice of study. I practiced Civil
Engineering for a while and later moved to oil and gas that is
where I am right now.
What kind of ambition did you nurse while growing up?
When I was young at about the ages of 7or 8 my Dad engaged
in the building of NNPC, after some years when I had gotten
into secondary school a lot of people talked and commended
the building. I started nursing the ambition of constructing
such a building that would attract the admiration of all, but I
guess that changed.
What changed it?
Like I mentioned earlier I enjoyed going to site but I
encountered a lot of challenges.
How much impact did your Dad have on you?
Not just my Dad, my parents inculcated morals in us, we had
both western and Islamic education, we were taught to be
honest, we were brought up in such a way that our peers
looked up to us.
What is it like being the wife of the Inspector General of
Police?
I wasn't used to being in the limelight, I am more of a private
person, initially it was quite challenging but he supported,
guided and protected me and now I am better off.
How do you cope with your husband's hectic schedule?
I knew the man I was marrying, and I also know the security
situation in the country and how much Nigerians need him. I
also know that security in our country should be given utmost
priority in order to create a better country and conducive
environment for our children. Despite his tight schedule he
tries his best to create time for his family.
What is your experience heading an organization like
POWA?
The Police Force is the largest single organization in Nigeria
and as such POWA is a large family. POWA encompasses both
the wives and children of Police officers. It is Police Officers
Wives Association but we impact on the lives of our children.
A lot of women are idle we all know that sourcing for funds is
quite challenging. At the moment we solicit for funds from the
general public, captains of industries, and individuals. It is
worthy to note that the Nigeria Police Force have always been
of support to POWA. Empowering Police wives will help in
tackling insecurity in our land. It will also help in eradicating
Corruption, as this will accord the wives the opportunity to be
of assistance to their husbands, thereby aiding to eradicate
corruption in the Force. I feel if they are empowered they
would have every reason to contribute their portion in
actualizing the vision of POWA.
How have you been able to surmount the Challenges of
POWA?
Like I said earlier I came from a large family and there are a
lot of women than there are men. I happen to be the first in a
family of thirteen, this and the fact that I have a military
background to a certain extent has broadened my ability to
manage POWA effectively. My father was a politician and I
was involved one way or the other. I am used to working with
different caliber of people and that has helped. Our major
challenge is in the area of funding we have a lot of plans
mapped out for the women but insufficient funds have always
posed as a challenge. Another challenge asides funds is that
most times when we hold meetings a lot of women don't attend
these meetings, and their excuses boils down to funding.
What has been your major achievement since assumption
into office?
After taking over from the Acting President in November last
year, I continued in line with what the previous President had
been doing. Every regime has its strategies, so what we are
presently working on right now is the commemoration of
POWA's 50th anniversary which is set to come by April. We
have lined up of activities which comprise sporting activities,
talent shows, fund raising and dinner amongst others. The
sporting activity and talent show is meant to engage our
children, we have prizes for winners. We shall be partnering
with IGP to further encourage and support the winners. The
talent shows are for both the women and children of Police
officers. A lot of them don't have the platform to showcase
their talents. This is also an opportunity to bring them to
public limelight. The proceeds from the fund raising dinner is
meant to acquire skills for the women. A lot of the women have
small businesses but do not know how to run or manage them
properly; we shall be organizing courses for women on that. We
are also trying to build a youth centre in Dedei barracks,
which is the biggest barracks in Abuja. There are lots of idle
youths due to lack of access to job opportunities, this centre
is meant to engage them. There will be skill acquisition centre
for the women as well. We shall also organize lectures and
trainings for selected women from each state which will run
for two days. Asides marking the 50th anniversary of POWA,
we have some accomplishments to our credit. Earlier this year
there was a School commissioned at Asaba Delta state. There
is also the Lagos secretariat multipurpose hall that was also
commissioned in Lagos. We are also currently visiting all the
barracks here in Abuja to find out how we can assist and
empower the women. The issue of empowerment in POWA
cannot be overemphasized that is why we are trying to
integrate that into our vision and mission statement for
POWA. I am also driving a new culture of cleanliness in the
barracks, we have enforced meetings and sanitation in the
barracks, and mapped out sanctions for defaulters.
What is the vision of POWA?
POWA aims to become an effective, sustainable organization
that actively enhances the quality of life of women and
children of the Police and serve as a recognized resource for
community partnership, post conflict rehabilitation and youth
empowerment.
How do you manage, combining your roles as a wife and
POWA President?
Obviously my husband is my priority, the association teaches
us to support our husbands and so I give him all the required
support. My husband is passionate about changing the lives of
the Police, he does his best to support POWA.
How has POWA being of assistance to the widows?
We have been trying to ensure they get the benefits of their
late husbands. Sometimes these women don't even know who
the next of kin to their husband is, the process of
documentation, or how to go about it. During our visits to the
barracks we brought in welfare and pension experts to lecture
and enlighten them on these important issues. We are
presently in discussion with Police Micro Finance Bank to help
give soft loans to these women to ensure they have access to
funding.
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