by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Nigeria Police Children Association (NIPOCA), Gabasawa Unit in Kaduna, has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting unity, peace and mutual support among children of Police Officers.
The association, made up largely of children who grew up in the old Police Barracks, was initiated through social media, in 2018, by Mrs. Olayiwola Mojisola to reconnect former “Barracks Children” and sustain the bonds formed during their childhood.
The unit marked Nigeria’s 66th Independence Day on October 1, with a gathering aimed at strengthening unity among members and encouraging children of serving Police Officers to value peace, togetherness and mutual support.
Members of the NIPOCA State Executive also attended the event and encouraged the Gabasawa Unit to continue supporting one another in both good and difficult times.
A substance-use prevention professional and WHO World No Tobacco Day award recipient, Margaret Kwa’ada Julius, who attended the programme, said she was proud to be a Police child, noting that children of Police Officers have contributed in various ways to bringing honour to Nigeria and Africa.
Julius used the occasion to caution parents against allowing children to purchase cigarettes for anyone, stressing the importance of protecting children from tobacco exposure and preserving the dignity associated with the Police profession.
On behalf of the association, Aminu Idi also presented cash assistance to Baba Neri, who has farmed and traded within the barracks for more than 55 years, in appreciation of his long-standing fatherly role in the community. The beneficiary expressed gratitude and prayed for the association.
Speaking on the purpose of NIPOCA, Magson Madison, an executive member of the Gabasawa Unit, said the association provides an opportunity for Police children to reconnect, access opportunities and support one another in times of need.
The gathering ended with renewed calls for peace, unity and continued support among Nigeria Police children and families.
Also speaking in an interview at the joint gathering on October 1, the Social and Welfare Secretary of the Unique Barrack Family, Prince Magson Simon, said the association was invited by NIPOCA to reconnect and explore areas of collaboration.
“Actually, they invited us to come and be with them. Their own name is ‘Police Barrack and Children.’ Our own is ‘Unique Barrack Family.’ They are trying to merge us together. So, that’s the reason why we came here,” Simon said.
Mr. Simon, who spoke on behalf of the association’s president, said the main purpose of the event was to reconnect old friends and family members who grew up in the barracks.
He said, the Unique Barrack Family has joined the Nigeria Police Children Association, NIPOCA, Gabasawa Unit in Kaduna, to mark Nigeria’s Independence Day, with a call for unity among children of Police Officers.
“Personally, I’m seeing people that I’ve not seen for 10 years, like five years and so on. I’m very glad I’m seeing them here. We have both the old and new members here physically,” he said.
Clarifying the identity of the group, Simon said members are not Police Officers but children of Police Officers.”Not all of us are Police. We are the children of the Police,” he said.
He disclosed that the Unique Barrack Family currently has about 263 members, and is growing, with more expected to join before the end of the year.
“By the special grace of God, we are about 263 members as of today. There is a programme we are trying to hold in December, which is on the 20th of December, that is the reunion celebration, which I believe we are going to be more than 300, because at the moment I have about seven members who are yet to be registered,” he stated.
According to him, “The two groups share a common vision of ‘oneness and mutual support.’ The barrack has to, we are all together. I want to believe that we are one love and we are all together, one family,” he said.
Simon also outlined the aims and objectives of the Unique Barrack Family, saying the association was created to support widows, aged parents and less-privileged children within the barracks community.
“One of the major things that we created our platform is to touch the lives of the widows – that is, our mothers and our fathers. And some of our younger ones that we believe are not capable of going to school, we will support them. We will register them for WAEC, we will even pay some of their school fees, by the special grace of God,” he added.
The Gabasawa Unit programme of the NIPOCA was witnessed by top Executives from the NIPOCA State body, including Binta Grace Danazumi, Secretary NIPOCA, Engr. Frank Jonathan Momoh (Dee-Boy).