The Newspaper Vendors Association of Nigeria, Abuja chapter, has applauded the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, for its strides under the leadership of Comrade Grace Ike, less than a year into her tenure as chairman.
The commendation was made during a courtesy visit by the association’s Board of Trustees to the NUJ-FCT Secretariat in Utako, Abuja. The delegation, led by its Chairman, Mr. Edmund Arikpo, presented Comrade Ike with a symbolic gift of honour in recognition of her leadership style and contributions to the journalism profession.
Arikpo praised Comrade Ike’s humility and people-oriented approach, which he said had already made a visible impact on the union and the wider media community. He, however, expressed concern over the challenges facing newspaper vendors, particularly the impact of digitization on print media distribution.
“I’ve been in the newspaper vending business since 1996. Through this work, I’ve been able to build a home and raise a family. But with the rise of digital media, many of our members can no longer survive in the business. Some have had to leave entirely; others have returned to their villages,” he lamented.
In her response, Comrade Ike expressed appreciation for the association’s support and stressed the need for stronger collaboration between journalists and vendors. She assured that the NUJ-FCT would continue to recognize vendors as vital partners in the media value chain.
“Technology may be evolving, but print media still holds significant value. People still cherish tangible newspapers for archiving and deep reading. We recognize your contributions and want you to know the media cannot thrive without your input,” she affirmed.
She reiterated her commitment to building synergy with the vendors’ association to promote and sustain the journalism profession in Nigeria.
