The Association of West African Legislative Correspondents (AWALCO) has nominated the Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, and for an award scheduled for November 2026, citing her leadership achievements since taking office.
AWALCO Executives, led by President Innocent Odoh, announced the nomination during a courtesy visit to the NUJ FCT Council Chairman in Abuja.
Odoh described her emergence as the first woman to chair the NUJ FCT Council as a significant milestone, noting that her leadership had shown courage and a willingness to take charge.
“We are indeed very impressed and inspired. It takes somebody with this kind of courage and commitment… and we are really seeing the change,” he said.
Odoh explained that Ike’s nomination followed discussions within the association on journalists and leaders who had made significant contributions to the profession and public service, saying that her achievements, including her previous leadership of the House of Representatives Press Corps, placed her among those shortlisted for recognition.
He disclosd that the award had originally been planned for the previous year to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the ECOWAS Parliament, but the event was postponed after the Parliament scheduled its own award ceremony.
Beyond the award, Odoh said the visit was part of AWALCO’s broader push to deepen collaboration with the NUJ FCT Council through joint seminars, workshops, and conferences on democracy, governance and legislative accountability.
He described Parliament as central to any democratic system and said legislative correspondents had an important role to play in interrogating democratic principles and examining how legislation could translate into development, adding that stronger ties between AWALCO and the NUJ could help spread important democratic and governance messages across ECOWAS member states, with population exceeding 400 million.
Responding, Ike thanked the delegation and said she did not take the recognition lightly. “I really don’t take this award for granted. I’m honoured,” she said, pledging the Council’s readiness to partner with AWALCO on initiatives that advance journalism, democracy and development.
Ike urged journalists to uphold the principles of accuracy, fairness, balance and ethical reporting, stressing that the media remained a critical pillar of society.
She encouraged journalists to move beyond their traditional areas of coverage and report issues capable of positively affecting society and the wider West African region.
The NUJ FCT chairman also emphasised the importance of journalists’ welfare, describing it as a key priority of her leadership.
She urged AWALCO members to ensure accountability and transparency in their activities and said the NUJ would provide publicity support for initiatives and statements presented by the association as part of their proposed partnership.
