The Commissioner of Police in Kano State, Mr Ibrahim Bakori, has inaugurated a table tennis facility for members of the Correspondents’ Chapel in the state, describing the initiative as a reflection of the strong working relationship between the police and the media.
The facility was unveiled on Sunday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Kano, with journalists, security personnel and other stakeholders in attendance.
Speaking at the event, Bakori praised members of the Correspondents’ Chapel for their professionalism and objective reporting, noting that effective policing thrives on constructive collaboration with the media.
He described journalists as indispensable partners in security management, particularly in information dissemination and public awareness, adding that informal interactions such as sports and recreation help to strengthen trust and communication.
According to the police commissioner, continued cooperation between the police and the media has contributed to the relative calm currently enjoyed in the state, with a noticeable reduction in crime rates.
He also disclosed that security challenges, including banditry around some border communities, had been significantly reduced through collaboration with key stakeholders, including journalists.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Mr Murtala Adewale, described the facility as a major milestone and the realisation of a long-held aspiration of the chapel.
Adewale said the initiative was designed to support the physical and mental well-being of journalists, stressing that the profession is demanding and often stressful.
He added that regular sporting activities would help journalists stay healthy, focused and productive in the discharge of their duties.
The chapel chairman also called for the revival of the National NUJ Games, which he said had been inactive for several years, noting that such events promote unity, fitness and professional bonding among journalists nationwide.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the NUJ Kano State Council, Alhaji Suleiman Dederi, represented by his Vice Chairman, Mr Mustapha Gambo, described the unveiling as a significant achievement for the Correspondents’ Chapel.
He urged other NUJ chapels to initiate programmes that enhance the welfare and unity of journalists.
In a separate remark, a national officer of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Malikawa Garu, applauded the initiative, saying it would promote unity and healthy interaction within the journalism community.
The event concluded with a novelty table tennis match between Bakori and Adewale, which drew cheers from journalists and invited guests.