PCRC Backs NUJ-FCT Media Partnership, Flags Neglect Of Retired Female Police Officers
In a renewed push for accountable policing and gender equity, the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) has reaffirmed its strong partnership with the media while raising concerns over the continued neglect of retired female police officers in post-service appointments.
The National Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee, Alhaji Mogaji Ibraheem Olaniyan, made this known in Abuja while receiving the executive of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, led by its Chairman, Grace Ike, during a familiarisation visit to the PCRC National Secretariat.
Olaniyan described journalists as indispensable allies in nation-building and police accountability, stressing that leadership within the PCRC is driven by competence and service, not gender.
He said both journalists and police officers enjoy unrestricted access to him because of their critical roles in governance, transparency and public enlightenment.
The PCRC chairman disclosed that since assuming office on 27 November, the committee has recorded notable achievements, including reclaiming jointly owned land belonging to the PCRC, the Nigeria Police and the Ministry of Police Affairs, with plans underway to develop the property through partnerships with reputable developers.
He also highlighted welfare initiatives such as scholarship programmes for children of police officers.
On gender inclusion, Olaniyan expressed concern over the systematic neglect of retired female police officers, despite their qualifications and experience.
He urged sustained media advocacy to address the imbalance, noting that while retired male officers are routinely appointed as security advisers, consultants and heads of security, their female counterparts are often overlooked.
“What a man can do, a woman can do even better,” he said, adding that merit, integrity and experience, not gender, should determine opportunities within the security sector.
He warned that excluding qualified women sends a discouraging signal to serving female officers and undermines efforts to promote equity within the police and wider security architecture.
Olaniyan also called for responsible and balanced security reporting, urging journalists to verify facts and avoid one-sided narratives that could weaken national institutions, while assuring the NUJ of PCRC’s continued support and a strengthened police, community, and media collaboration.
Earlier, NUJ FCT Chairman Grace Ike commended Olaniyan’s humanitarian efforts, describing him as a “man of the people.”
She said the visit marked the beginning of a stronger partnership between the NUJ FCT and the PCRC in promoting national development, community relations and positive police, media engagement.
Ike pledged objective, balanced and responsible reporting, assuring the PCRC of sustained publicity and syndication of its activities across the NUJ’s network of over 700 journalists.
She also drew attention to challenges facing journalists in the FCT, including the poor state of the NUJ Secretariat and the absence of a functional congress hall, appealing for support to complete the long-abandoned project and for collaboration on affordable housing schemes for journalists.
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