The NUJ FCT Council hosted key national stakeholders to commemorate the first anniversary of Comrade Grace Ike’s leadership, celebrating significant gains in welfare, capacity building, and institutional reforms, alongside the groundbreaking of a modernised Council secretariat in Abuja.
In her address, Comrade Ike reflected on the historic moment a year ago when the NUJ FCT Council “broke a 41-year pattern” by electing its first female chairman, a development she described as “a new dawn” that redefined the Council’s path and purpose. She said the milestones achieved within the year were proof of a council that chose “transformation over tradition, unity over division and progress over stagnation.”
She highlighted renewed commitment to welfare through medical outreaches and responsive support for members, noting that “a journalist’s life is as important as the story they tell.” On professionalism, she cited capacity-building programmes, including the establishment of press clubs in secondary schools and training for information officers, which she said had “reinforced the backbone of journalism excellence.”
Turning to infrastructure, Ike described the groundbreaking of the remodelled secretariat as a crucial step towards providing journalists in the FCT with a conducive and modern working environment. “Our first year was rebuilding; the next will be elevation,” she assured members, pledging continued improvement in welfare, unity and professional standards.
House of Representatives Spokesperson, Hon. Akin Rotimi Jr, praised Ike’s leadership, calling her “our ambassador” and commending her contributions to the 10th Assembly’s Legislative Agenda in her previous role as Chair of the House Press Corps. He acknowledged the pressures journalists face, saying, “People only remember journalists when there are mistakes, yet the weight of nation-building sits heavily on your shoulders.”
Rotimi described the secretariat remodelling project as a bold vision “so big it can only be achieved by the grace of God,” pledging personal support and assuring that the House leadership would also stand behind the initiative. He added that Ike had demonstrated that women excel when entrusted with responsibility and predicted she would be called to higher national service.
Similarly, Hon. Bamidele Salam, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, congratulated Ike on her first anniversary, describing her as a leader with “capacity, integrity, passion and commitment to service.” He said her achievements had validated the confidence members placed in her, adding: “The true colour of service is not in gender, tribe or faith but in the heart of the leader.”
He identified the secretariat remodelling as a major step towards enhancing the working environment for journalists and urged the Council to remain committed to excellence, inclusiveness and teamwork. He pledged sustained support, both personal and institutional, for NUJ FCT’s development efforts.
Arc. Bature T. Garba, Director of Public Buildings at the FCDA, reaffirmed the long-standing partnership between the NUJ and the agencies responsible for developing Nigeria’s capital city. He said the growth of Abuja relies heavily on “accurate information, responsible reportage and meaningful public enlightenment”, roles central to the NUJ’s mandate.
Garba pledged continued technical guidance and oversight for the council’s infrastructure projects, noting that as Abuja evolves into a globally competitive city, deeper collaboration between media practitioners and urban developers becomes increasingly essential. He urged the NUJ FCT to continue championing the public interest through credible journalism.
Other dignitaries present included the Director of News, Mr Sumner Sambo; Elder Timothy Elewere; former NUJ chairmen; Leadership Newspapers MD, Hajiya Miriam; and various editors and stakeholders, all of whom pledged support for strengthening journalism in the FCT.
The event also featured the unveiling of a book titled The Power of Her Voice, authored by Benjamin Ubiri.
The ceremony drew prominent personalities, including the Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon. Akin Rotimi Jr, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, Hon. Bamidele Salam, Managing Director of Arise News, Mr Bayo Awosemo, FCDA Director of Public Buildings, Arc. Bature Garba, and Leadership Newspapers Managing Editor, Raliat Ahmed, among other senior editors and media leaders.