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Journalists move beyond line duty to empower police widows

By Chibuzo Ihegboro

Journalism comes with a huge emotional toll. This is because journalists often witness first-hand the tragedies and disasters they report.

And no matter how brutal the assignment might be, they are compelled to extricate themselves in their reportage. They are expected to just report the incident and move on to the next big story.

However, a group of journalists have come together to challenge the norm. They sought to change the narrative, and go beyond the moral obligation of only writing and editing stories, into providing help and assistance to the lives of the people they are reporting on.

The group called Naija Police and You is made up of professional crime reporters from media organisations in Nigeria.

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And together they pulled their meagre resources, to start a programme called ‘An Evening with Police and Friends’.

In their median edition, which was held at The Providence in GRA axis of Ikeja, Lagos, the newsmen reached out to help the neglected poor widows of police officers that were killed in the line of duty, especially during the #EndSARS carnage.

The widows, about 10 in number, received a token of N200,000 each with various gifts like…

Also, journalists reached out to celebrate and acknowledge some police officers that have shown diligence in the discharge of their duties.

Speaking on the event, Jonas Kalu the convener said ‘An Evening with Police and Friends’ was conceptualised to the negative image of the Nigerian Police Force, and create a more friendly impression that meets the yearnings of Nigerians in law enforcement and crime prevention.

Kalu, who works at…, explained that their goal as crime reporters was to showcase the positive sides of the Police Force, by celebrating the courageous feats of police personnel.

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“One of the highlights of the event is the presentation of a token to the family of gallant policemen who lost their lives in the line of duty.

“In reality, there is no amount of gift or encomium that could compensate the families for the loss of their loved ones and breadwinners. However, society can demonstrate empathy and appreciation of the service and sacrifice of the departed law officers.

“In our own way, we want to tell their families that society appreciates their effort and that we remember their sacrifices.

“All in all, let me say we are here today to appreciate the police institution for the role they play in keeping our society sane and safe,” Kalu added.

The convener said that they were moved to appreciate police officers because of the sacrifices many of them make in the cause of their duty, even in the face of terrible conditions of service, poor welfare schemes and negligible post-service arrangements.

“And as journalists who report crimes and interact with police officers daily, we know the abysmal condition under which they work.

“Therefore, this forum is a discourse between the public, policymakers and police towards a common understanding of areas needing improvement in the country’s police system,” Kalu said.

Expressing gratitude on behalf of the police, former Inspector-General of Police, and an awardee, Dr. Solomon Arase, commended the Naija Police and You team for the rare display of affection to the police.

Arase added pep and joined in supporting each widow with a token of N100,000.

The former police boss called for support to be shown to families of policemen, especially those in the rank and file that died in the line of duty.

“You are giving these widows palliatives to start their life again after the death of their husbands. Thanks to the crime journalists behind this gesture.

“And I would call on society to emulate this kindness towards dead police officers’ families. I wish we can make it something institutional,” Arase said.

Some of the widows who came to the event with their children were moved to tears as they received their cash and gifts.

“We God for you journalists, and we thank you for coming to our aid in our time of need,” said one of the widows, Mrs. Agbasa. “I describe how happy I am at the money and gifts you’ve given us. And I pray God to reward and bless all of you behind this project.”

 

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