... Calls for Gender-Inclusive Appointments
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, Miss Grace Ike, on a familiarisation visit to the PCRC National Secretariat.
He emphasized that the PCRC does not differentiate leadership roles by gender, noting that women in leadership are fully recognized as chairmen and executives, not “chairladies.” According to him, competence and service, not gender, define leadership.
The PCRC chairman described journalists and police officers as two groups that enjoy unrestricted access to him, stressing that their roles are critical to governance, transparency, and public enlightenment.
He recalled encounters at home and abroad where media reports amplified PCRC activities beyond expectations, attributing much of the committee’s visibility and success to sustained media support.
Olaniyan 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.
He highlighted several welfare initiatives undertaken by the PCRC in support of the Nigeria Police, including scholarships for 17 children of police officers who lost their lives in active service, with some currently schooling abroad. He added that the committee partners closely with the wife of the Inspector-General of Police to identify and support affected families.
According to him, the PCRC has also institutionalized seasonal welfare interventions, supporting thousands of police families during Christmas and Ramadan. He revealed that while 1,000 families were supported in the first year, the number has grown to 6,000 beneficiaries in recent interventions.
Olaniyan further disclosed that under his leadership, 67 police officers across the country have been recognized and rewarded with monetized awards for exemplary service, with full sponsorship of travel and accommodation for awardees selected from different states.
The PCRC chairman 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, the PCRC National Chairman expressed concern over the neglect of retired female police officers in post-service appointments, despite their qualifications and experience.
Calling for deliberate advocacy, Olaniyan urged the NUJ FCT Chairman, Miss Grace Ike, to leverage her leadership position and media influence to bring sustained attention to the issue. He said the media has a critical role to play in reshaping public perception and policy by highlighting the contributions of female police officers and pushing for inclusive appointment practices. “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 observed that while many retired male police officers are routinely engaged as security advisers, consultants, and heads of security for government institutions and private organizations, their female counterparts are often overlooked. According to him, this disparity persists even in cases where female officers retired at senior ranks such as Commissioners of Police (CP), Assistant Inspectors-General (AIG), and Deputy Inspectors-General (DIG). Olaniyan described the situation as unfair and wasteful, noting that the country continues to lose valuable expertise by failing to harness the skills of retired female officers who are still capable of contributing meaningfully to national security and public safety.
The PCRC chairman further noted that the neglect of retired female officers reflects a broader gender imbalance within the security sector, particularly in leadership and post-retirement opportunities. He stressed that many states readily appoint retired male officers as security advisers or heads of regional security outfits, while equally qualified female officers are rarely considered for similar roles. Olaniyan emphasized that this trend sends a discouraging signal to serving female officers and undermines ongoing efforts to promote gender equity within the Nigeria Police and the wider security architecture.
On media ethics and security reporting, Olaniyan urged journalists to always verify facts and report issues involving the police with balance, warning against one-sided narratives that could undermine national institutions. He stressed that while the police are not perfect, they remain a critical pillar of national security and deserve fair and responsible coverage.
PCRC chairman assured the NUJ delegation of 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.
Earlier in her remarks, Miss Grace Ike, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, commended the National Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Alhaji Mogaji Ibraheem Olaniyan, for his visible humanitarian efforts and described him as a “man of the people,” whose activities have continued to attract public attention and goodwill.
According to her, 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.
She stated that the NUJ FCT, as the umbrella body for all media organizations in Abuja, remains committed to objective, balanced, and responsible reporting, while also pledging to amplify PCRC activities across its network of over 700 journalists. Miss Ike emphasized that collaboration must be mutual, assuring the PCRC of sustained publicity, syndication of stories, and collective engagement whenever issues arise.
She added that the media’s role in community relations makes the NUJ a natural partner of the PCRC, stressing that journalists will continue to report the truth while supporting institutions that work for national stability.
Highlighting key challenges facing journalists in the FCT, Miss 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.
Expressing confidence that the visit was timely, she said the NUJ looked forward to tangible support from the PCRC leadership, adding that any assistance toward the congress hall or a journalists’ housing project would bring lasting relief and leave a legacy for future generations.