The wife of the president of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday declared the International Association of Women Police (IAWP) Africa Region Training Conference open.

The first lady who was the special guest of honour at the occasion was represented by the wife of the Honourable Minister of Works, Her Excellency Rachel Umahi.

The conference which started with a ceremonious opening took place at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre, Abuja with top government functionaries, including the IGP and 520 delegates from over 18 African countries.

The conference themed “Addressing Africa’s Security Challenges and Safety through Collaboration and Inclusivity” aims at training women police and other security and law enforcement officers and equipping them with the knowledge and skills for battling crimes and security threats in a modern and evolving society, most especially at their various regions on the African Continent.

The nominees for the training program include 520 delegates from over 18 African countries including Nigeria, Angola, Botswana, Ghana, Liberia, Kenya, Malawi, Morocco, Niger, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Congo.

Other dignitaries at the event include former Vice President of Liberia, United Nations Representatives, Minister of State Police Affairs, Minister of State for the FCT, Chairman Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Chairman House Committee on Police Institutions, and other strategic stakeholders.

The Chief Host of the conference, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun PhD., NPM., as part of his vision of reform policies for the Nigeria Police Force launched the NPF Gender Policy which would ensure gender sensitivity and inclusivity in the policy and operations of the Nigeria Police Force.

The IGP further reassures of the commitment of the present police leadership to gender inclusivity at all levels.

The conference signifies a great milestone in the achievement of a modern police force that is gender-sensitive, gender-inclusive and consequently progressive.