By Adegbenjo Oluwanifemi
Apostle Dr. Sybil Olufunmilayo Akinfenwa has charged policewomen to be courageous, resilient and purpose-driven, urging them to see themselves as builders who have important roles to play in strengthening their families, the Nigeria Police Force and society.
Akinfenwa gave the charge on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, during a programme organised for Policewomen at the Nigeria Police Force, Eleyele, Ibadan.
Speaking to the women, the cleric encouraged them to approach their duties with courage, dedication and strategic thinking, stressing that the demanding nature of police work requires resilience and determination.
She drew from her personal experiences in service, including her time at the Mokola Police Station, where she said she encountered several challenges but remained committed to her duties and eventually overcame them.
Akinfenwa also recalled an incident during the 2000 elections when ballot boxes were allegedly removed from her polling centre. She said her handling of the situation attracted the attention of the then Commissioner of Police, who was reportedly looking for her because of her courage.
According to her, the achievements she has recorded in life were largely products of dedication, hard work and commitment, urging the policewomen not to allow challenges to derail their aspirations.
Explaining the word “Sheerah,” Akinfenwa said it means “she builds,” encouraging the policewomen to embrace the identity of builders and recognise their contributions to nation-building.
She further urged them to pay attention to the upbringing of their children, stressing the need to nurture them physically, spiritually and emotionally so they can grow into responsible members of society.
Akinfenwa noted that policewomen carry a dual responsibility of caring for their families while contributing to the maintenance of law and order, urging them to continue supporting efforts to protect lives and property across the country.
At the end of the programme, she asked the policewomen to make a commitment to continue contributing to the development of the country, to which they responded affirmatively.
The programme centred on courage, resilience, purposeful living, family responsibility and the vital role of women in the police force in building a safer and better society.
