The Association of West African Legislative Correspondents (AWALCO) has nominated the Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, for a leadership award scheduled to hold in November.
The association announced the nomination when its executive members, led by its President, Innocent Odoh, paid a courtesy visit to Ike at the NUJ FCT Council Secretariat in Abuja.
Odoh commended Ike’s achievements since assuming office, describing her emergence as the first woman to chair the NUJ FCT Council as a significant milestone in the history of the council.
He said her leadership had demonstrated courage, commitment and capacity, noting that AWALCO was impressed by the positive changes recorded under her administration.
“We are indeed very impressed and inspired. It takes somebody with this kind of courage and commitment, and someone who will take charge of things, and we are really seeing the change,” Odoh said.
He explained that Ike was shortlisted following discussions within the association on journalists and professional leaders who had made significant contributions to journalism and public service.
According to him, her previous leadership of the House of Representatives Press Corps, alongside her achievements at the NUJ FCT Council, made her deserving of the recognition.
Odoh disclosed that AWALCO had initially planned the award ceremony last year to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the ECOWAS Parliament, but the event was postponed after the Parliament scheduled its own award ceremony.
He said the planned award was part of AWALCO’s broader efforts to promote legislative journalism and strengthen collaboration with the NUJ FCT Council.
He added that the association was looking forward to partnering with the council on seminars, workshops and conferences focusing on democracy, good governance, development and legislative accountability.
Odoh described Parliament as the nucleus of democratic governance and stressed the important role of legislative correspondents in interrogating democratic principles and examining how legislation could translate into tangible development for citizens.
With West Africa’s population exceeding 400 million, he said stronger collaboration between AWALCO and the NUJ could help promote democratic and governance messages across ECOWAS member states.
Responding, Ike expressed appreciation for the recognition and assured the association of the NUJ FCT Council’s readiness to partner with AWALCO in advancing journalism, democracy and development.
“I really don’t take this award for granted. I’m honoured,” she said.
Ike urged journalists to uphold accuracy, fairness, balance and ethical standards in their reporting, stressing that the media remained a critical pillar of society.
She also challenged journalists to expand their coverage beyond traditional beats and focus on issues capable of positively impacting society and the wider West African region.
The NUJ FCT chairman identified journalists’ welfare as a major priority of her administration and urged AWALCO members to uphold accountability and transparency in their activities.
She further pledged the council’s publicity support for AWALCO initiatives and statements as part of the proposed partnership.
On democratic development, Ike urged journalists to interrogate emerging issues affecting democracy in West Africa, including electoral reforms and proposals such as direct primary elections.
She said issues capable of strengthening democratic governance must be properly examined and brought to public attention.
Ike also charged leaders in the journalism profession to build lasting legacies through diligent and responsible service.
“Leadership is not easy. If you are a leader, you must do everything possible to leave a legacy behind,” she said.
She encouraged younger journalists to remain committed to changing the narrative around leadership and public service by producing impactful stories capable of touching lives and positively influencing society.
Also speaking, AWALCO Financial Secretary, Favour Olise, commended Ike’s leadership and urged her to continue supporting younger journalists.
Olise particularly praised her efforts to attract reputable organisations to partner with the NUJ, describing her achievements as worthy of recognition.
“Younger ones not in age, younger ones in the Journalism profession, carry them along as you are already doing and keep doing the good works,” she said.
AWALCO said it looked forward to deepening its partnership with the NUJ FCT Council in promoting legislative journalism, democratic accountability, good governance and development across Nigeria and the wider West African region.
