Nigerian Journalists Are Professionals Not Beggars

Nigerian Journalists Are Professionals Not Beggars – IGP Disu
Commends Media Role in National Development
Over 150 Abuja Journalists Enrolled in Health Insurance Scheme

The Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Ridwan Disu, has said Nigerian journalists deserve respect and should never be treated as beggars, describing them as professionals who play an essential role in society.

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The police chief made the remark on Saturday during the congress of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Federal Capital Territory council held in Abuja.

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Disu commended journalists in the FCT for their role in keeping the public informed and contributing to national development, noting that his relationship with the media has always been built on mutual respect and professionalism.

According to him, the Nigeria Police under his leadership will continue to treat members of the press with dignity, recognising the critical role the media plays in strengthening democracy and accountability.

“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.

In response, the Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Grace Ike, congratulated Disu on his appointment and described him as a long standing ally of the media.

She expressed confidence in his leadership and assured the police chief of the council’s willingness to work with the police in ensuring objective reporting of security matters.

Ike also disclosed that the IGP would be invited as a special guest to the council’s 2026 Press Week celebration.

Nigerian Journalists Are Professionals Not Beggars - IGP Disu — Nigerian Journalists Are Professionals Not Beggars – IGP Disu

Meanwhile, more than 150 journalists have been enrolled in the Federal Capital Territory Health Insurance Scheme.

Speaking on the development, the Mandate Secretary of the FCT Health Services and Environment Secretariat, Adedolapo Fasawe, urged philanthropists, political office holders, religious leaders and business figures to support journalists by sponsoring health insurance coverage for them.

Ike described the development as a landmark achievement for the NUJ FCT Council, noting that it marks the first time the council has introduced a dedicated health insurance initiative for journalists in the territory.

Also speaking, the National President of the NUJ, Alhassan Yahya, praised the initiative and described it as an important step toward improving healthcare access and welfare for media professionals.