PCRC Seeks Stronger Media Partnership, Advocates Inclusion Of Retired Female Officers

The chairman, Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Alhaji Mogaji Ibraheem Olaniyan, has reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to working closely with the media.

He also raised concerns over what he described as the continued neglect of retired female police officers in key security appointments.

While hosting executive members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Council, led by the Chairman Grace Ike, on a familiarisation visit to the PCRC National Secretariat in Abuja, Olaniyan described journalists as vital partners in advancing accountability, transparency and public awareness.

He said the media and the police remain central to national stability and urged reporters to verify information and ensure balanced coverage of security issues.

Addressing gender inclusion, the PCRC chairman said appointments in the security sector should be based on merit, integrity and experience rather than gender.

He observed that while retired male police officers are frequently appointed as security advisers and consultants in government institutions and private organisations, their female counterparts with comparable qualifications are rarely considered.

According to him, the trend reflects a broader gender imbalance within the security architecture and could discourage serving female officers.

Olaniyan also outlined progress made since he assumed office in November, including the reclamation of land jointly owned by the PCRC, the Nigeria Police and the Ministry of Police Affairs.

He said plans are underway to develop the property through partnerships with reputable private developers.

He highlighted welfare initiatives undertaken by the committee, including scholarship programmes for children of police officers, and pledged to facilitate strategic partnerships to support the NUJ FCT Council.

In her remarks, Ike commended the PCRC chairman’s humanitarian efforts and described the visit as the beginning of stronger collaboration between both bodies.

She reaffirmed the union’s commitment to objective and responsible reporting noting that the visit marked the beginning of a stronger partnership between the NUJ FCT and the PCRC, especially in promoting national development, community relations, and positive police-media engagement.

Highlighting key challenges facing journalists in the FCT, Ike drew attention to the poor state of the NUJ Secretariat, particularly the absence of a functional congress hall, which forces hundreds of members to hold meetings under unfavourable conditions.

She appealed for support in completing the long-abandoned building project and also called for collaboration on affordable housing for journalists, similar to existing schemes in Lagos.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji