The Olatunji Ridwan Disu, Inspector-General of the Nigeria Police Force, has said Nigerian journalists are professionals and should not be treated as beggars.
Disu made the remark while commending journalists in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for their role in informing the public and contributing to national development.
He spoke on Saturday during the FCT Congress of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) held in Abuja.
The IGP described his relationship with the media as one based on mutual respect and professionalism.
According to him, his leadership as Inspector-General would continue to treat journalists with respect, acknowledging the critical role the media plays in society.
“I have always had a respectful and mutually beneficial relationship with journalists. They are professionals who deserve respect and should never be treated as beggars,” he said.
Responding, the Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Grace Ike, congratulated the new IGP on his appointment and described him as a longstanding friend of the press.
She expressed confidence in his leadership and assured him of the council’s willingness to collaborate with the police in reporting security matters objectively.
Ike also revealed that the IGP would be invited as a special guest at the council’s 2026 Press Week celebration.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the NUJ FCT Council to promoting responsible journalism and supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening security and governance in the territory.
In a related development on Saturday, more than 150 journalists enrolled in the Federal Capital Territory Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS).
Speaking on the initiative, the Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Adedolapo Fasawe, urged philanthropists, political office holders, religious leaders, and business leaders to support journalists by sponsoring health insurance coverage for them.
In her remarks, Ike said, “Today marks a historic moment for the Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT Council. For the first time in the history of our council, we are flagging off a health insurance initiative specifically designed to support the welfare and well-being of journalists in the Federal Capital Territory.”
Also speaking, the National President of the NUJ, Alhassan Yahya, praised the initiative, describing it as an important intervention that would improve healthcare access for journalists.
