By Prosper Mene
The Nigeria Police Trust Fund, NPTF, has launched an empowerment programme aimed at equipping spouses of junior police officers with vocational skills to improve their livelihoods and support their families.
The initiative, which kicked off on Wednesday in Abuja, targets wives of constables, corporals, and sergeants across the 36 states and the FCT. Beneficiaries are being trained in areas such as catering, fashion design, hairdressing, soap making, and small-scale agribusiness.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the Executive Secretary of the NPTF, Mr. Abdullahi Bala, said the programme is part of the Fund’s welfare mandate to boost the morale of police personnel by supporting their families.
“Junior officers bear the brunt of policing and often struggle to meet family needs on their salaries. By empowering their spouses, we are indirectly strengthening the welfare of our officers and enhancing productivity,” Bala stated.
He added that the Trust Fund has partnered with certified vocational centres and the National Directorate of Employment to ensure beneficiaries receive proper training and starter packs upon completion.
Also speaking, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, commended the initiative, noting that it would reduce financial pressure on officers and promote a better work-life balance within the Force.
“This is a welcome development. When the families of our officers are stable, the officers themselves can focus better on their duties of protecting lives and property,” Adejobi said.
Some beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the NPTF, saying the skills training would help them start their own businesses and contribute to household income.
The Police Trust Fund said the programme will be rolled out in phases, with over 5,000 spouses expected to benefit nationwide in the first phase.
