The House of Representatives Spokesperson, Akin Rotimi Junior, has commended members of the media for their continued support of the government, noting that the media is indispensable to effective lawmaking and public trust.
He reflected on the pressure journalists endure, from racing against deadlines to ensuring accuracy, and called for improved working conditions and welfare support.
The lawmaker gave the commendation at the groundbreaking of the long-awaited remodeling of the council’s secretariat in Abuja, which coincided with the celebration of the first female chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council.
Rotimi assured journalists of the National Assembly’s continued support, saying, “I know the burden of responsibility you carry; people only remember journalists when there are mistakes, yet the weight of nation-building sits heavily on your shoulders.”
Applauding the plans for the council’s remodeling, he referred to it as the kind of ambitious vision that must be so big it can only be achieved by the grace of God.
He pledged a personal contribution, promising that the leadership of the House will also do all they can to support the project.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the NUJ, Grace Ike, in her address, reflected on her historic mandate, saying the union “broke a 41-year pattern” by electing its first female chairman a year ago.
Ike said the council chose transformation over tradition, unity over division, and progress over stagnation, adding that her team came into office with a clear mission to rebuild trust, revive spirits, and reposition the NUJ FCT as a powerful house of journalism.
She highlighted the council’s efforts to restore fellowship, emphasizing the administration’s investment in training, saying it “reinforced the backbone of professionalism” through capacity building, the establishment of press clubs in secondary schools, and training for information officers.
Ike noted that the groundbreaking ceremony is a decisive step toward transforming the council’s physical home, stressing that journalists deserve a conducive and well-equipped environment that enhances pride and productivity, and adding that the council was looking to stakeholders and policymakers to support the new vision.
“Our first year was rebuilding; the next will be elevation,” she assured members. “With your support, we will continue shaping a council that commands respect across Nigeria, a council where welfare thrives, professionalism blossoms, and unity endures.”
The Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee in the House of Representatives, Bamidele Salam, who also graced the occasion, congratulated Comrade Ike on her first anniversary in office, noting that the “true colour of service is not seen in gender, tribe, or faith, but in the heart of the leader.”
He encouraged the NUJ FCT leadership to remain focused on excellence, teamwork, and inclusiveness, stressing that the end of every leadership journey determines its true assessment. “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof,” he said, quoting scripture.
In his contribution, the Director of Public Building at the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Arc. Bature Garba, emphasized the long-standing partnership between the NUJ and the institutions responsible for Abuja’s development.
He noted that the progress of the nation’s capital depends heavily on “accurate information, responsible reportage, and meaningful public enlightenment,” roles he described as central to the NUJ’s mandate.
Garba recalled the FCDA’s past intervention in advancing the NUJ FCT Council Complex in Utako and reaffirmed his department’s commitment to providing technical guidance and professional oversight to ensure that facilities serving the media meet the highest standards.
“As Abuja grows into a more resilient and globally competitive capital city, the partnership between the developers of the city and the media is even more crucial,” he said, adding that mutual respect, transparency, and shared purpose are essential for achieving an orderly, progressive, and inclusive FCT.