Top government officials, media practitioners, and civil society leaders on Tuesday converged at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, for the grand finale of the 2025 Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Press Week, themed “Journalism in a Changing World: Press Freedom, Media, Democracy, and Society.”
In her welcome address, Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, described the Press Week as not just a celebration but a period of reflection, recognition, and recommitment to the values of journalism. She announced several priority projects targeted at improving the welfare and professional development of journalists in the FCT. These include infrastructural upgrades, welfare programs, and housing initiatives all aimed at supporting journalists and ensuring dignity in their profession.
“Journalism is not just a profession; it is a calling. In this era of uncertainty and flux, we owe it a duty to recommit to the principles that brought us here: truth, integrity, courage, and service,” she said.
Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, former Governor of Nasarawa State and Chairman of the occasion, delivered a compelling keynote address in which he emphasized that freedom of the press is “non-negotiable.” He proposed a national media revitalization agenda centered on safety, sustainability, literacy, and accountability.
“Artificial intelligence, deepfakes, misinformation, and algorithmic bias now threaten to displace fact with fiction. The challenge before us is not just legal it is ethical,” Senator Al-Makura stated.
Also addressing the gathering, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, who received the NUJ FCT Gender Advocacy and Leadership Award reaffirmed the House’s partnership with the media and its commitment to gender inclusion. He revealed ongoing legislative reforms to strengthen transparency and participatory governance, including the Reserved Special Seats Bill for Women, which he said would be concluded soon.
He encouraged the media to lead the development of a national ethical code for digital journalism and pledged the support of the 10th House of Representatives in institutionalizing fact-checking frameworks.
Other dignitaries at the event included the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike; Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa; Minister of State for Housing, Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata; Executive Governor of Niger State, Hon. Umar Bago; and several key stakeholders from across sectors.
The Press Week also featured award presentations, symposia, Health Walk,novelty matches, and a call for stronger collaboration between government and the media to protect press freedom and uphold democratic values in Nigeria.
