The House of Representatives has pledged to mobilise support towards erecting a befitting Congress Hall for the Nigerian Union of Journalists (FCT) FCT Council.
House of Representatives Spokesperson, Akin Rotimi Junior made the pledge on Thursday at the Secretariat during the groundbreaking of the long-awaited remodelling of the council’s hall as part of activities marking the first year in office of the first female Chairman of the Council, Comrade Grace Ike.
The lawmaker praised Ike’s leadership, describing her as “our ambassador” and commending her contribution to the 10th Assembly’s Legislative Agenda during her time as Chair of the House Press Corps.
Rotimi assured journalists of the National Assembly’s continued support, noting that the media is indispensable to effective lawmaking and public trust.
He reflected on the pressure journalists endure—from racing deadlines to ensuring accuracy—and called for improved working conditions and welfare support.
“I know the burden of responsibility you carry,” he said. “People only remember journalists when there are mistakes, yet the weight of nation-building sits heavily on your shoulders.”
He applauded the plans for the council’s remodeled structure, referring 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 and pledged that the leadership of the House will also do all they can to support the project.
Rotimi commended Ike for demonstrating that women excel when given opportunities, describing her as someone who “holds her own in very accomplished circles” and predicting she would be called to higher national service in the future.
Similarly, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee in the House of Representatives, Hon. Bamidele Salam, congratulated Comrade Ike on her first anniversary in office, describing her leadership as exemplary and transformative.
He described Grace Ike as a leader with “capacity, integrity, passion and commitment to service,” noting that her achievements within one year had validated the trust reposed in her by members of the council.
According to him, “The true colour of service is not seen in gender, tribe or faith, but in the heart of the leader. In the last one year, we have all witnessed the capacity and dedication of the woman at the helm of affairs.”
Rep Bamidele Salam highlighted the groundbreaking ceremony for the remodelling of the NUJ Secretariat as a major milestone for a conducive environment for journalists to carry out their function.
He encouraged the NUJ FCT leadership to remain focused on excellence, teamwork, and inclusiveness, stressing that the end of every leadership journey is what determines its true assessment. “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof,” he said, quoting scripture.
The lawmaker pledged continuous support—personal and institutional—for the council’s development initiatives, promising to mobilize other stakeholders to contribute as well.
In her address, Comrade Ike reflected on the historic mandate given to her a year ago, saying the union “Broke a 41-year pattern” by electing its first female chairman—an action she described as a defining moment that “ignited a new dawn” for the Council.
She said the achievements being celebrated were “A story of a council that 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.”
Ike 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.
On welfare, she said journalists’ well-being remained central to her administration, explaining that medical outreaches and responsive support interventions reaffirmed her belief that “a journalist’s life is as important as the story they tell.” She celebrated the revival of the council’s sporting culture through football and table tennis tournaments that united members beyond the newsroom.
Turning to infrastructure, Ike pointed to the day’s ground-breaking ceremony as a decisive step in transforming the council’s physical home. She stressed that journalists “deserve a conducive and well-equipped environment” that enhances pride and productivity, 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.”
Also in a goodwill message, the Director of Public Building at the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Arc. Bature T. Garba, emphasised 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 provide technical guidance and professional oversight to ensure that facilities serving the media meet the highest standards.
He stressed the need for deeper collaboration between the media and city developers to advance the growth of the Federal Capital Territory.
Highlight of the event was the unveiling of a book “The Power of Her Voice” authored by Benjamin Ubiri.
