Speaker Abbas, Dangiwa, Al-Makura Champion Press Freedom, Transparency at NUJ FCT Press Week

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has highlighted ongoing parliamentary reforms aimed at fostering transparency and inclusivity. He referenced initiatives such as the Open National Assembly project and the live broadcast of plenary sessions and public hearings as steps taken to close information gaps and build public trust. “Democracy should always be inclusive, transparent, and accountable,” Abbas emphasized. He also mentioned efforts to advance gender representation, particularly through the Reserved Special Seats Bill for Women, with a dedicated stakeholder roundtable scheduled to hold from Wednesday to Thursday. He urged media professionals to uphold ethical standards, stressing that no nation can thrive on fake news or disinformation.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, commended the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council for organizing the Press Week, describing it as a vital platform to reinforce Nigeria’s democratic ideals and transparency. He praised President Bola Tinubu for prioritizing press freedom under the Renewed Hope Agenda and emphasized the media’s critical role in deepening public understanding of government initiatives like the Renewed Hope Housing Programme and the National Urban Renewal Initiative. “It’s not enough for people to see what we do; they must also understand the reasoning behind our actions,” he said.

Dangiwa further advocated for stronger legal protections and sustainable financial support for independent media outlets, noting that a robust democracy depends on empowered journalists who operate in safe environments. Reaffirming the ministry’s support for the proposed Journalists’ Village in Abuja, he stated that the ministry would collaborate with cooperative housing developers to allocate land once the NUJ FCT Council provides a layout.

Senator Tanko Al-Makura, former governor of Nasarawa State and current Chairman of the Universal Basic Education Commission, was honored with the NUJ’s Media Personality of the Year Award at the event. In his keynote speech, Al-Makura described the media as the conscience of the nation and a pillar of accountability. He recommended introducing media literacy programs in schools and communities to help citizens, especially the youth, critically evaluate news content. NUJ FCT Council Chairperson, Grace Ike, in her welcome address, emphasized the Press Week as a moment for reflection on the media’s role in national development and urged journalists to remain committed to truth, professionalism, and ethical journalism.