Olaniyan stated this 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, during a familiarisation visit to the PCRC national secretariat.
He said the PCRC does not define leadership by gender, stressing that competence, integrity, and service remain the core criteria for leadership positions.
Olaniyan asserted that journalists and police officers enjoy unrestricted access to his office because of the critical roles both play in governance, transparency, and national stability.
He disclosed that since assuming office on November 27, the PCRC has recorded notable achievements, including the recovery of land jointly owned by the PCRC, the police, and the Ministry of Police Affairs.
He said plans were underway to develop the property through partnerships with reputable developers.
He also highlighted welfare initiatives undertaken by the committee to support the police, including scholarship programmes for the children of police officers.
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The PCRC chairman further pledged to facilitate strategic partnerships for the NUJ FCT Council, including engagements with private sector stakeholders and philanthropists involved in police welfare and national development.
On gender inclusion, Olaniyan expressed concern over what he described as the systematic neglect of retired female police officers in post-service appointments, despite their qualifications and experience.
He urged the NUJ FCT chairman to use her position and media influence to sustain advocacy on the issue, noting that the media plays a key role in reshaping public perception and influencing policy.
“What a man can do, a woman can do even better,” Olaniyan said, adding that merit and experience—not gender—should determine opportunities within the security sector.
He observed that while retired male police officers are frequently appointed as security advisers, consultants, and heads of security in government institutions and private organisations, their female counterparts are often overlooked.
Olaniyan said the trend reflects a wider gender imbalance in the security sector and sends a discouraging signal to serving female officers.
On media ethics, Olaniyan urged journalists to verify facts and ensure balanced reporting on police-related issues, warning against one-sided narratives capable of weakening public confidence in national institutions.
While acknowledging imperfections within the police, he said the force remains a critical pillar of national security deserving of fair and responsible coverage.
He assured the NUJ delegation of the 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.
Earlier, the NUJ FCT Chairman, Ms. Grace Ike, commended Olaniyan for what she described as his visible humanitarian efforts, describing him as a “man of the people” whose activities have continued to attract public goodwill.
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 said the NUJ FCT, as the umbrella body for media organisations in Abuja, remains committed to objective, balanced, and responsible reporting, adding that the council would amplify PCRC activities through its network of over 700 journalists.
Highlighting challenges facing journalists in the FCT, Ike drew attention to the poor state of the NUJ secretariat, particularly the lack of a functional congress hall, which she said forces members to hold meetings under unfavourable conditions.
She appealed for support to complete the abandoned building project and called for collaboration on affordable housing schemes for journalists, similar to those existing in Lagos.
