PCRC, NUJ FCT deepen collaboration on Police-Community relations

The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the media, describing journalists as critical partners in nation-building, accountability and public enlightenment.

The National Chairman of the PCRC, Alhaji Mogaji Ibraheem Olaniyan, stated this in Abuja while receiving the executive members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, led by its Chairman, Ms Grace Ike, during a familiarisation visit to the PCRC National Secretariat.

Olaniyan emphasised that the PCRC operates on the principle of merit rather than gender, noting that leadership positions within the committee are based on competence, integrity and service.

He described journalists and police officers as two professional groups with unrestricted access to him, stressing that both institutions play vital roles in governance, transparency and national cohesion.

The PCRC chairman disclosed that since assuming office on November 27, the committee has recorded notable achievements, including the recovery of a jointly owned parcel of land belonging to the PCRC, the Nigeria Police and the Ministry of Police Affairs. He said plans are underway to develop the property through strategic partnerships with reputable developers.

He also highlighted several welfare initiatives by the committee in support of police personnel, including scholarship programmes for children of serving officers, as part of efforts to boost morale and strengthen police-community relations.

Olaniyan further pledged to facilitate strategic partnerships for the NUJ FCT Council, particularly engagements with private sector players and philanthropists committed to police welfare and national development.

Concern Over Gender Exclusion

Addressing gender inclusion, the PCRC National Chairman expressed concern over what he described as the consistent neglect of retired female police officers in post-service appointments, despite their experience and qualifications.

He called for deliberate media advocacy on the issue and urged the NUJ FCT Chairman to use her platform and influence to draw sustained public and policy attention to the matter.

According to him, the media has a critical responsibility to shape public discourse by spotlighting the contributions of female police officers and advocating inclusive appointment practices within the security sector.

“What a man can do, a woman can do even better,” Olaniyan said, stressing that merit and professionalism — not gender — should determine opportunities in security leadership.

He observed that while retired male police officers are frequently appointed as security advisers, consultants and heads of security for government agencies and private organisations, their female counterparts are often overlooked.

Olaniyan noted that this trend reflects a wider gender imbalance in the security sector, particularly in leadership and post-retirement engagement, warning that it sends discouraging signals to serving female officers and undermines efforts at promoting gender equity within the Nigeria Police and the broader security architecture.

Call for Responsible Reporting

On media ethics and security reporting, the PCRC chairman urged journalists to verify facts and adopt balanced reporting when covering police-related issues, cautioning against narratives that could weaken public confidence in national institutions.

While acknowledging that the police are not without challenges, he maintained that the institution remains central to national security and deserves fair and responsible coverage.

He assured the NUJ delegation of the PCRC’s continued support, describing the relationship between both bodies as a family bond and reaffirming the committee’s commitment to strengthening police-community-media collaboration for national stability and development.

NUJ Commends PCRC Chairman

Earlier, the NUJ FCT Chairman, Ms Grace Ike, commended Olaniyan for what she described as his visible humanitarian efforts, describing him as a “man of the people” whose activities have continued to attract goodwill and public attention.

She said the visit marked the beginning of a stronger working relationship between the NUJ FCT and the PCRC, particularly in advancing national development, community relations and positive police-media engagement.

According to her, the NUJ FCT, as the umbrella body for media organisations in Abuja, remains committed to objective, balanced and responsible journalism, while pledging to amplify PCRC activities through its network of over 700 journalists.

Ike stressed that the partnership must be mutually beneficial, assuring the PCRC of sustained publicity, story syndication and collaboration whenever issues arise.

She also highlighted challenges facing journalists in the FCT, drawing attention to the poor state of the NUJ Secretariat, especially the lack of a functional congress hall, which often forces members to hold meetings under unfavourable conditions.

The NUJ chairman appealed for support towards completing the long-abandoned secretariat project and called for collaboration on affordable housing schemes for journalists, similar to initiatives already implemented in Lagos State.

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