The National President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association, Chief Mrs. Oluwafunmilola Mutiat Disu, has called for renewed national commitment towards protecting, educating and empowering Nigerian children, declaring that the country’s future depends largely on how it treats its younger generation today.
Speaking during the 2026 National Children’s Day celebration held on Tuesday, Disu said the theme, “Future Now: Promoting Inclusion for Every Nigerian Child,” captures the urgent need to guarantee equal opportunities for children regardless of background, social status or physical condition.
She stressed that every Nigerian child deserves access to quality education, protection, healthcare and a safe environment where dreams can flourish, noting that children remain the foundation upon which a prosperous nation must be built.
According to her, Nigeria cannot afford to leave any child behind at a time when global development is increasingly driven by knowledge, innovation and inclusive education policies designed to unlock the potential of the younger generation.
“The future is now. Every child carries the power to dream, learn and lead,” she declared, while urging governments, institutions and parents to invest more deliberately in child development and education.
Disu reaffirmed the commitment of POWA to supporting children, particularly those from police families, adding that education remains one of the most valuable tools for securing a stable and productive future for the nation.
She disclosed that the association awarded 20 scholarships across POWA schools nationwide, benefiting pupils in 19 primary schools and one secondary school, with priority attention given to children of fallen police officers.
The POWA President also commended the Force Education Unit for reducing school fees for children of junior police personnel, describing the initiative as a major relief for struggling families and a critical step towards improving access to education.
Addressing children directly, she advised them to remain focused on their academic pursuits and avoid social vices such as cultism, drug abuse, cybercrime and violence, urging them instead to embrace discipline, integrity, compassion and excellence.
She further remembered children displaced by insecurity across parts of the country and called for urgent efforts towards their rescue, protection and reintegration, while appreciating teachers, caregivers and stakeholders working tirelessly to shape a more secure and inclusive future for every Nigerian child.