The National Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Alhaji Mogaji Ibraheem Olaniyan, has reaffirmed the committee’s strong partnership with the media, describing journalists as indispensable allies in nation-building and police accountability.
Olaniyan made the remarks 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, on a familiarisation visit to the PCRC National Secretariat.
“The PCRC does not differentiate leadership roles by gender. Competence and service, not gender, define leadership,” Olaniyan said, emphasizing that journalists and police officers are two groups that enjoy unrestricted access to him.
He disclosed that since assuming office as National Chairman on November 27, the PCRC has made significant strides, including reclaiming land jointly owned by the PCRC, the Nigeria Police, and the Ministry of Police Affairs, with plans underway to develop the property through partnerships with reputable developers.
Olaniyan highlighted several welfare initiatives undertaken by the PCRC in support of the Nigeria Police, including scholarships programs for children of police officers. He also pledged to facilitate strategic partnerships for the NUJ FCT Council, including engagements with prominent private sector stakeholders and philanthropists who support police welfare and national development.
Addressing gender inclusion, Olaniyan expressed concern over the neglect of retired female police officers in post-service appointments, despite their qualifications and experience. “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.
The PCRC chairman urged journalists to always verify facts and report issues involving the police with balance, warning against one-sided narratives that could undermine national institutions. “While the police are not perfect, they remain a critical pillar of national security and deserve fair and responsible coverage,” Olaniyan stressed.
Earlier, NUJ FCT Chairman Ms Grace Ike commended Olaniyan for his humanitarian efforts and described him as a “man of the people”. She pledged the NUJ FCT’s commitment to objective, balanced, and responsible reporting, and assured the PCRC of sustained publicity and collective engagement on issues affecting the police and national stability.
