The Imo state commissioner of police, Mr. Dasuki Galadinchi has identified the role of Online Media Practitioners in Nigeria as one that is very vital and crucial to the development of the country. He made this disclosure when members of Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN), Imo State chapter, paid him a courtesy visit in his Office on Tuesday.
Speaking during the occasion, Galadinchi charged the members of OMPAN to assist the Nigeria police in enlightening the public on the proper means of seeking redress anytime they feel aggrieved and to counter any unbalanced and reckless report made by people on social media concerning security matters in the state.
Said he “Your role as online media practitioners is very crucial and very vital to the development of the state”
Speaking further at the occasion, Galadinchi condemned the practice whereby some people take to the social media to abuse members of the Nigeria Police any time they feel aggrieved by the manner in which a policeman treats them, adding that by so doing, such people unnecessarily tend to paint a bad picture of the government and the state. He said the end result of such reckless reports is that private investors become scared to invest their money in the state.
He advised members of the public to table their complaints first to the Divisional Police Office nearest to them and if they are not satisfied with the way their matter is handled, they should proceed to the Area Command and if they are not satisfied, they should go further to the State Police Command and if they are not satisfied, they should go to the Zonal Headquarters and if they are still not satisfied, they should approach the Inspector General of Police and if the IGP cannot satisfy them, they should approach the law court.
He encouraged members of the public to call the Police Public Complaint line- 08106160007 whenever they have a complaint to make, adding that the Imo state police command is actively using humane strategies which includes reactive policing and damage control.
According to him, the Nigeria police is presently engaged in Community Policing which involves empowerment, partnership, inter-agency cooperation and providing service to humanity.
Earlier, the Public Relations Officer of OMPAN, Mr. Franklin Uzowuru said that members of OMPAN, Imo state chapter were at the State Police Command to establish a working relationship with the Nigerian police, adding that as professionals in online media industry, the association is committed to ensuring that publications on social media concerning security matters are balanced.
In a vote of thanks, the chairman of OMPAN, Imo state chapter, Mr. Ebere Inyama thanked the Imo state CP for identifying with OMPAN and assured him that the association will continue to report news about security matters in line with the rules and regulations guiding the profession.
Also present at the occasion is the publisher of Arise Afrika Magazine, Mr. Ikechuchu Anyanwu, the Assistant National Organizing Secretary of OMPAN, Mr. Hardy Nwadike, Secretary of OMPAN, Imo state chapter, Miss Jennifer Mbonu and some top police officers in the Imo state Command.o