By Ifeoluwa Odunayo
Journalists in the Federal Capital Territory have made a passionate appeal to the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, urging him to rescue the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Secretariat in Utako, Abuja, from total collapse and address the growing concerns troubling the nation’s capital.
During its second Congress held on Saturday, April 12, 2025, members of the NUJ FCT Council described their Secretariat as an embarrassment to the profession, lamenting its state of disrepair.
They called for urgent government intervention to complete the long-abandoned Pentagon project, which they say would restore dignity to the union and provide a befitting hub for journalistic activities.
Beyond the walls of their crumbling facility, the journalists turned their focus to the broader challenges facing Abuja residents.
The Council decried the incessant power outages orchestrated by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, and the crippling cost of telecommunication services that continue to burden consumers.
In a bold move, the union also urged the Federal Government to roll out free maternal healthcare services, warning that inflation and high living costs are driving maternal mortality to alarming levels.
The NUJ pressed the Nigerian Communications Commission to step in and regulate telecom billing, stressing the need to protect already overstretched citizens.
Reaffirming its unwavering commitment to the welfare of its members and the public, the NUJ FCT Council pledged to intensify its advocacy for better governance and a more responsive leadership.
