Commissioner Of Police Of The Year: OMPAN Congratulates CP Tunji Disu
– OMPAN, Police Partner To Change Rivers’ Narrative
The Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN), Rivers State chapter has partnered with the state Police Command to create a healthy environment with its objective reportage.
OMPAN expressed this at a media chat with the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Disu, at the Command’s Headquarters, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, on Tuesday.
Speaking, a national officer of the association, Comr. Juachi Ochu said OMPAN has the obligation to feed members with current and accurate reports of events as they occur in the society.
He said: “We are not a stooge to anybody or politician in the state and outside the state; neither are we an attack dog to any person or government.
We maintain our neutrality in our reportage.
“Sir, since your deployment to Rivers State, we have known, we have seen and witnessed the rate at which crime has reduced drastically in the state.
“And we know that it is not because the state decides to be like that, we know those behind the success; it is through your hard work. We need to give you commendation for this sacrifice.”
He added: “We know how you have been tackling fake news, false news and propaganda in the state. We are here to assure and tell you no member of OMPAN is a fake news carrier. We verify our reports and think of their impacts on the society.
“We want to thank you as we form a synergy, partnership with the Rivers State Police Command.”
Speaking too, state chairman of OPMAN, Chidiebele Okoye, noted CP Olatunji Disu, as a highly professional officer and has remained apolitical in the discharge of his functions in Rivers State.
He said: “OMPAN can categorically say that nobody would say whether the CP is siding this particular party or the other.
People see CP as someone who is focused in fighting crime.
“In the last five months, we all know what has happened in this state. All the wanted criminals, who were difficult to get have been gunned down. So, we must commend you for that. And that is why we came because we want partnership with the command.”
Responding, CP Disu lauded OMPAN for their relevance in society, stressing that policing is the responsibility of every citizen and charged members to exhibit professionalism in their resportage.
He said:”Just one news from you have to do with our mental health as security officers; and it has to do with our well-being as well, the moral of officers.
“We need a lot of encouragement. Yes, once in a while, we have one or two wrong things about us, highlight it. That is why we gave out numbers for you to be able to call and tell us if our men are doing things they are not supposed to do. We will work on it.
“At the same time, we are having sleepless nights, we are sacrificing a lot as police officers. And we are achieving a lot; and we are paying with our lives. Also, talk about our achievements as well. That will encourage us to do more.
“Ensure you do responsible journalism, verify your stories before throwing it out. Social media is a new world, a new influence. As I mentioned earlier, crime-fighting is the responsibility of everybody.”
