The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council has appealed to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike, to intervene in addressing critical infrastructure issues at its Council Secretariat located in Utako, Abuja.
The appeal formed part of the resolutions reached during the second Congress of the NUJ FCT Council, held on Saturday, April 12, 2025. Members decried the condition of the facility currently used for congresses and meetings, described it as unbefitting for a professional journalists’ body operating from the nation’s capital.
The Congress urged the Minister widely referred to as “Mr. Project” due to his track record of infrastructural development in the FCT to extend similar attention to the NUJ Secretariat. The Union also called for his support in completing the long-delayed NUJ Pentagon, envisioned as a landmark complex for journalists in Abuja.
The Union stated in a communiqué jointly signed by Odigie Ehidiamen Kelvin (Chairman, Communiqué Committee), Kehinde Ayanfe, and Ebriku John, both members of the committee;“The current state of our congress facility is not only discouraging but also embarrassing,
“We appeal to the Honourable Minister to visit and inspect the structure himself. We are confident that, under his leadership, necessary interventions can be made to restore the facility and complete the Pentagon project.”
Beyond infrastructure concerns, the Congress used the opportunity to spotlight broader socio-economic issues facing FCT residents and Nigerians in general.
Members condemned the persistent power outages across the FCT, blaming the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) for inefficiencies that continue to cripple productivity and diminish the quality of life for many.
The NUJ also criticised the rising cost of telecommunications and internet data, which it described as an additional financial burden on already struggling citizens. The Union called on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to probe service providers’ billing practices and implement consumer-friendly policies that ensure affordability.
In a related development, the Congress raised concern over the growing rate of maternal mortality in Nigeria. It linked the troubling trend to economic hardship and inflation and called on the Federal Government to provide free and accessible maternal healthcare services including pre-natal, ante-natal, and post-natal care to save lives and reduce the burden on expectant mothers.
The NUJ FCT Council reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the welfare of journalists and the general public and promised continued dialogue with stakeholders and authorities to address the identified challenges.
