By our reporter
The Nigeria Police Children Association (NIPOCA), Gabasawa Unit, Kaduna State, has used Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary to renew its call for peace, love, unity and mutual support among children of police officers.
The celebration, held on October 1, brought together old and new members of the police barracks community, including members of the Unique Barrack Family.
The Gabasawa Unit consists largely of children who grew up in the Gabasawa Detachment Police Barracks. The group was initiated through social media in 2018 by Mrs Olayiwola Mojisola to reconnect former barracks children and preserve the bonds developed during their childhood.
Speaking at the gathering, substance-use prevention professional and WHO World No Tobacco Day award recipient, Margaret Kwa’ada Julius, expressed pride in being a police child and acknowledged the contributions of children of Nigeria Police officers to the country and Africa.
Julius also cautioned parents against allowing children to purchase cigarettes for anyone, stressing the need to protect children from tobacco exposure and uphold the dignity associated with the police profession.
As part of the activities, Mallam Aminu Idi presented cash assistance on behalf of the association to Mallam Baba Neri, who has farmed and traded within the barracks for more than 55 years. The gesture was made in recognition of his long-standing fatherly role within the community. Baba Neri expressed appreciation and prayed for the association.
Also speaking during an interview, the Social and Welfare Secretary of the Unique Barrack Family, Prince Magson Simon, said the group was invited by NIPOCA as part of efforts to bring the two groups together.
“Actually, they invited us to come to form one body: Their own name is Nigeria Police Children Association while ours is the Unique Barrack Family. The NIPOCA are trying to merge us as one since we are all from the Gabasawa Detachment Barracks, so that’s the reason why we came here,” Simon said.
Simon, who spoke on behalf of the association’s president, said the gathering provided an opportunity for former barracks children to reconnect with old friends and family members.
“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 members, Simon said they are not police officers but children of police officers.
“Not all of us are police but we are all the children of the police officers,” he said.
He disclosed that the Unique Barrack Family has about 263 members and is planning a reunion celebration on December 20.
According to Simon, both groups share a common vision of togetherness and mutual support.
“The Barrack is one, we are one family and one love,” he said.
He further explained that the Unique Barrack Family was established to support widows, aged parents and less privileged children within the barracks community.
“One of the major things that both platforms were created for, is to touch the lives of the needy among us, like our widow mothers and fathers and also some of our younger ones that are not capable of going to school due to financial challenges: we are willing to support them and even register them for WAEC exams; we will even pay some of their school fees by the special grace of God,” he added.
The programme was witnessed by executives of the NIPOCA State body, including Binta Grace Danazumi, Secretary, NIPOCA; Engr. Frank Jonathan Momoh (Dee-Boy), Public Relations Officer (PRO), NIPOCA; and Pastor Sunny Mathias, Financial Secretary, NIPOCA.
The gathering concluded with renewed appeals for peace, love, unity and continued support among Nigeria Police children and families.
The State body also added virtue to the Gabasawa NIPOCA Unit.
