The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on Thursday, said the demands of policing in Nigeria take a heavy toll on officers, noting that many personnel work without sleep while battling high blood pressure as they strive to keep the country safe.
Disu stated this in Abuja while receiving a delegation from Punch Nigeria Limited, led by the Executive Director, Business Development and Innovation, Omowunmi Tunde-Obe.
Other members of the delegation included the Editor of The PUNCH, Tunji Abioye; Editor, Weekend Titles, Samson Folarin; Abuja Bureau Chief, Adelani Adepegba; Manager and Head of Advertisement, Kemi Ogungbemi; Head of Advertisement, Abuja, Olufunke Ogunseinde; Sales Supervisor, Advertisement, Kofoworola Michael; and the Business Development Manager, Northern Region, Hindi Livinus.
Speaking during the visit, the IGP commended the professionalism of PUNCH staff and expressed interest in learning more about the organisation’s work culture.
“It gladdens my heart to be here with you. I have noticed something about your staff; the way they carry themselves with dignity is worthy of emulation. I would like to see how you work and what you have instilled in them,” he said.
Disu stressed the importance of close collaboration between the police and the media, particularly during sensitive investigations, saying such cooperation would help journalists understand operational challenges and guide responsible reporting.
He recalled his experience as Commander of the Rapid Response Squad, where journalists were regularly engaged during police activities.
“During my time at RRS, we were open to journalists and it helped us. I feel there is a need for the media to accompany us when we are doing serious investigations. This will help them appreciate the effort and also guide against reporting details that should not be out,” he said.
The IGP also highlighted the intense pressure faced by officers across the country, noting that policing operations often come at a high personal cost.
“The policemen are working every day across the country. Many of them are in the forests working so that citizens can sleep with their two eyes closed,” he said.
He added, “We are also losing some of our men, but the public does not know that we are human beings too. I was bold enough to say I lost 140 men while I was in the FCT.
“We don’t sleep; our BP is high. That shows the level of sacrifice we are putting in place to ensure the country is safe.”
Disu urged the media to help project the human side of police officers and encourage greater public cooperation with security agencies.
“When you put out necessary messages to the public to help them know that we are human, we will get more cooperation. Nigerians like the police; if you do the right thing, they will support you,” he added.
Earlier, Tunde-Obe congratulated Disu on his appointment and said the visit was aimed at strengthening the relationship between the police and the organisation.
She noted that the media had a role to play in shaping public understanding of reforms within the police, particularly ongoing conversations around the creation of state police.
Tunde-Obe also highlighted The PUNCH’s youth-focused publication, PUNCH nextGEN, which is designed to simplify national issues for students and young readers, adding that it could be extended to police secondary schools and used to promote awareness about reporting suspicious activities anonymously.
Meanwhile, the delegation also visited the headquarters of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, where discussions centred on collaboration between the media and the oil and gas regulator.
Speaking during the meeting, the Executive Commissioner, Corporate Services and Administration of the commission, Onyekachi Kelechi, said the media plays a critical role in shaping national discourse and helping the country navigate global developments.
“You set the agenda. You curate happenings around the world and synthesise them. You can bring those happenings into particular sectors and explain how they impact us as a nation,” he said.
Kelechi noted that credible media organisations could also help guide public understanding during periods of economic uncertainty.
He further commended PUNCH for sustaining its reputation over the years, describing the organisation as a formidable media institution.
“PUNCH has, over time, established this reputation, no doubt about that. The fact that the daughter of the founder is here speaks to sustainability. If there were no governance or ethos within the organisation to ensure continuity, you wouldn’t be here today,” he said.
Kelechi also stressed the importance of engaging young Nigerians in the energy sector, noting that the country’s youth make up more than 67 per cent of the population.
Earlier, the management had sought strategic partnerships with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and the National Information Technology Development Agency, as part of efforts to promote anti-corruption advocacy and digital literacy among Nigerian youths.
Speaking during a courtesy visit to the ICPC on Tuesday, Tunde-Tunde-Obe said the organisation was committed to driving anti-corruption education among young Nigerians through its newly introduced student-focused publication, Punch Next Gen.
She said the initiative was designed to shape the mindset of secondary school students by presenting trending national issues in simplified language.
“To drive anti-corruption messages among the youth, we must educate them ethically and help them understand that corruption is not an option. They are the ones who will run the country in the future.
“One of your mandates is the prevention of corrupt practices. We believe that through PUNCH nextGEN, we can help you reach out and educate the youth on the downside of corruption and how to prevent it.
“We believe we can collaborate to create programmes that will shape the mindset of young people,” she said.
Tunde-Obe disclosed that PUNCH was planning a meeting with the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, to seek endorsement for the distribution of PUNCH nextGEN in public schools, with a nationwide rollout expected by May.
Responding, the ICPC spokesperson, John Odeh, said the commission shared similar goals with PUNCH in targeting young Nigerians.
“PUNCH is thinking the way ICPC is thinking. We have programmes targeted at the young demographic. We have anti-corruption clubs in secondary and tertiary institutions, as well as Community Development Service groups in the National Youth Service Corps,” he said.
Odeh explained that the commission also followed up on young participants by encouraging them to establish non-governmental organisations focused on anti-corruption advocacy.
“There is no Nigeria without the youth. It is refreshing that PUNCH is dedicating an entire publication to them,” he said, adding that the proposal would be forwarded to the ICPC chairman for consideration.
At the NITDA head office, Tunde-Obe commended the agency for its contribution to Nigeria’s digital growth over the past 25 years.
She noted that the country’s digital economy had witnessed significant expansion, with millions of Nigerians now active online.
“We believe that the youth are the most receptive to digital skills such as AI, coding, and blockchain. One of the best ways to promote digital literacy is by reaching them early,” she said.
She explained that PUNCH nextGEN would not only focus on civic education and current affairs but also promote digital and media literacy to help students distinguish between authentic and fake information in an evolving digital space.
“Through simplified reporting, we aim to create informed and critical thinkers who can hold leaders accountable and make informed decisions when they become voters,” she said.
Tunde-Obe added that the publication, currently in its pilot phase, was already being distributed in select schools and available on the Next Gen website.
In her remarks, NITDA’s Director of Corporate Communications and Media Relations, Hadiza Umar, described PUNCH as a longstanding partner of the agency.
“PUNCH Newspapers has always been a friend to the agency. We value the relationship and appreciate your coming forward to seek collaboration,” she said.
Umar noted that while digital literacy was one of NITDA’s strategic pillars, the agency’s mandate extended beyond that area.
She encouraged clearer proposals on specific areas of partnership.
She also commended the focus on youth engagement, noting that young people constituted a significant percentage of Nigeria’s population.
During the visit to the corporate headquarters of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc on Wednesday, Tunde-Obe said the newspaper sought to deepen its longstanding relationship with the construction firm by strengthening narratives around infrastructure development and its impact on Nigeria’s growth.
She noted that both organisations share a legacy spanning over five decades and emphasised the need to shape conversations around infrastructure, youth engagement, and sustainable development.
Tunde-Obe highlighted opportunities for collaboration, including documentaries, sponsored publications, roundtable discussions, and youth-focused initiatives under the newspaper’s PUNCH nextGEN student publication.
“Julius Berger has been in Nigeria for over 50 years. Likewise, PUNCH has also been in existence for more than 50 years.
“We, therefore, share a lot in common in terms of strength, legacy, and public trust. By aligning our narratives, we believe we can make a significant impact.
“For instance, there is an opportunity to strengthen brand storytelling, particularly with a focus on youth engagement. There are vast career opportunities in civil engineering and related fields.
“We understand that Julius Berger operates training schools, as well as vocational and technical programmes in Nigeria that equip young people with practical skills and entrepreneurial capacity. There are also internships and career development opportunities.
“We would like to highlight these initiatives in ways that are relatable to young people, the next generation. As the saying goes, ‘catch them young,’” she said.
Responding, the Head of Corporate Communications at Julius Berger, Mr James Agama, appreciated the visit and described the relationship between both organisations as longstanding.
He said the company, which has operated in Nigeria for over 50 years, remained committed to strengthening partnerships with credible media institutions and telling its story more strategically.
Also speaking, the Head of Public and Media Relations, Mr Isibor Emmanuel, said the company had in recent years adopted a more deliberate media engagement approach to reinforce its brand and correct misconceptions about its operations.
He expressed optimism that further discussions would enhance collaboration between the two organisations.
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