FCT NUJ Chair Grace Ike Honoured With Media Leadership Award, Tasks Journalists On Credibility Over Clicks

The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, has been honoured with the Media Leadership and Civic Engagement Award at the Emporium Lecture and Awards held in Abuja to commemorate the organisation’s 10th anniversary.

The recognition came during the landmark event, which brought together media practitioners, public officials and stakeholders to celebrate a decade of impactful journalism while reflecting on the evolving role of the media in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.

Delivering her goodwill message, Ms. Ike described Emporium’s decade-long commitment to journalism as a remarkable achievement, noting that sustaining a credible media platform for ten years requires resilience, vision and unwavering dedication to professional standards.

“Ten years of consistent and credible journalism is no small feat,” she said. “It is a testament to resilience, vision and an unrelenting commitment to the values that define our profession.”

She congratulated the publisher, editorial team and the entire Emporium family for what she described as a well-deserved milestone, commending their contribution to public discourse and democratic development.

Speaking on the theme of the event, “From Clicks to Credibility: Digital Media’s Role in Deepening Nigeria’s Democracy”, Ike emphasised the importance of maintaining journalistic integrity in an increasingly digital and fast-paced information environment.

According to her, while technology has expanded access to information and amplified public engagement, the pressure to publish quickly should never come at the expense of accuracy and truth.

“In an era where the speed of information often outpaces its accuracy, credibility is non-negotiable,” she said. “It remains the foundation upon which democracy is built and sustained.”

The NUJ FCT chairman stressed that journalists and media organisations must resist the temptation to prioritise online traffic and popularity over factual reporting, accountability and public interest journalism.

She reaffirmed the commitment of the NUJ FCT Council to supporting media organisations that uphold ethical standards and remain dedicated to truth, transparency and responsible reporting.

“We will continue to support media houses that choose truth over traffic and accountability over applause,” Ike stated.

She further urged journalists to see themselves as critical partners in nation-building by telling the stories that matter, holding leaders accountable and highlighting positive examples capable of inspiring societal progress.

“By celebrating credible leadership, we encourage others to raise their standards and collectively expand the space for good governance, peace and development,” she said.

Ike noted that the award serves not only as recognition for past contributions but also as a challenge to continue serving society with humility, fairness and courage.

She congratulated all award recipients honoured at the ceremony and encouraged them to regard their awards as a call to greater responsibility.

Concluding her remarks, Ike wished Emporium continued success and expressed optimism that the media organisation would achieve even greater milestones in the years ahead.

“May this honour strengthen your resolve to lead with humility, fairness and courage,” she said, while extending her best wishes to Emporium on its 10th anniversary.