By Daniel Tyokuo
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, has vowed that the Nigeria Police Force and the media will continue to work together in other to ensure the provision of accurate and timely information to Nigerians.
He stated this at a one-day Maiden Annual Lecture and Inauguration of the newly elected executive of Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CCAN), which took place at the Police Officers Mess and Suites, Garki Abuja, yesterday.
Represented by the Force Secretary, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Mustapha Dandura, the IGP assured the CCAN of his continued support and partnership in the area of training and retraining of Journalists on the crime beat.
He further pledged continuous synergy between the Nigeria Police and crime Correspondents to ensure accurate and effective crime reportage.
“We will continue to have partnership with the crime correspondents Association of Nigeria in terms of training and re-training of the personnel,” the IGP noted.
While inaugurating the newly elected officials, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council, Emmanuel Ogbeche, charged the CCAN officials “not to be too relaxed with the security organizations” to avoid neglecting their constitutional responsibility as watchdog.
“Hold government accountable and don’t be antagonistic in your reportage but ensure that, you carryout your constitutional duties,” the NUJ chairman stressed.
He also called on Crime Correspondents to be objective and fair in crime reportage, advising that reporting must be taken seriously since the country is currently facing emerging security issues.
Earlier in his inaugural address, the Chairman of CCAN, Hassan Zaggi, stressed the need for regular training and retraining of Crime Correspondents on emerging trends in crime fighting so as to equip us for effective reportage.
“It is important to stress here that, as journalists, we need the support and cooperation of the Nigeria Police and other security agencies, especially, by providing accurate, timely and useful information about incidents in order to avoid the usual discrepancies in media reports and that of security agencies leading to avoidable frictions.
“The Nigeria Police and her sister agencies must see journalists as partners in progress in the fight against crime for meaningful gains to be made.
“We also wish to appeal to IGP Adamu on the need for regular training and retraining of Crime Correspondents on emerging trends in crime fighting so as to equip us for effective reportage,” he said.
In appreciating the IGP for his commitment to the training and retraining of Police Public Relations Officers (PPROs), Zaggi pleaded that, the Correspondents should be incorporated in the scheme so as to effectively compliment the PROs in the discharge of their duties.
“We call on the Minister of Police Affairs, the IGP and the Police hierarchy and heads of relevant local and international agencies to see us as partners in making Nigeria safer for our people by giving us the needed information for onward delivery to the people at all times.”
Speaking while delivering a lecture, titled, “Community Policing: Panacea for National Cohesion and Sustainable Development.” at the occasion, Barr. Esther Uzoma, Convener, Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, said to “police personnel welfare most be highly prioritized.”
She insisted that Nigerian should not expect the best from the men and officers of the Force if their working conditions are not improved.
