Reps Pledge Continuous Support For Journalists

The House of Representatives has assured journalists of the legislature’s continued support in the discharge of their constitutional duties.

Spokesperson of the House, Hon. Akin Rotimi, gave the assurance at the one year anniversary of Grace Ike as chairman of Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory Council and groundbreaking of the remodeled Council’s Congress Hall in Abuja.

The lawmaker representing Ekiti North 1 (Ikole/Oye) federal constituency, described the media as indispensable in effective lawmaking and public trust.

He acknowledged 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. People only remember journalists when there are mistakes, yet the weight of nation-building sits heavily on your shoulders,” Rotimi said.

The Spokesperson lauded Ike’s leadership, describing her as House’s ambassador who contributed to the 10th Assembly’s Legislative Agenda during her time as Chairman of the House Press Corps.

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.”

Rotimi further commended the chairman of the FCT Council 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, pledged continuous support—personal and institutional—for the council’s development initiatives, promising to mobilise other stakeholders to contribute as well.

The Osun lawmaker congratulated Ike on her first anniversary in office, describing her leadership as exemplary and transformative.

He said the NUJ FCT chairman is 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.

“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,” he said.

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.

In her remarks, 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.”