The Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative, also known as Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN), has called on Nigerian media professionals to play a stronger, more informed role in reporting police reform and accountability issues, as part of efforts to strengthen public trust in the Nigeria Police Force.
Speaking at a one day workshop for media actors in Abuja on Monday, the Executive Director of Partners West Africa Nigeria, Kemi Okenyode, said accurate, ethical and informed media reporting remains critical to advancing police reform, institutional accountability and gender responsive policing in Nigeria.
Okenyode explained that PWAN, a women led non governmental organisation, is committed to strengthening citizens’ participation, improving security governance and enhancing protection systems across Nigeria and West Africa.
She stressed that effective security governance must be accountable, professional, inclusive and responsive to the needs of the people, particularly women, youth and other vulnerable groups.
She equally revealed that with support from the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), PWAN is implementing the project “Enhancing Public Trust and Gender Responsive Policing in Nigeria Through Effective Implementation of the Police Act 2020” across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
According to her, “The project is designed to strengthen the implementation of police reforms by promoting institutional accountability, advancing gender responsiveness and improving public trust in the Nigeria Police Force, while also increasing public awareness of the Police Act 2020 to reduce rights violations and encourage a more citizen responsive policing culture.”
Okenyode pointed out that one of the project’s key activities is the organisation of a sensitisation workshop for media actors, aimed at equipping journalists with the knowledge, skills and tools required for accurate and impactful reporting on police reform, accountability and gender responsive policing.
The Executive Director stressed that the engagement is also intended to strengthen collaboration between the media and law enforcement, promote transparency and deepen public understanding of the Police Act 2020, particularly its provisions on citizens’ rights, police accountability, gender responsiveness and professional conduct.
The PWAN Executive Director further noted that the workshop provides a safe and inclusive space for participants to share experiences, raise concerns and propose practical recommendations for improving trust and collaboration between communities and the Nigeria Police Force.
She urged participants to actively engage in the discussions and contribute perspectives that would strengthen the role of the media as a strategic partner in Nigeria’s ongoing police reform process.