NUJ FCT Council Chairman’s May Day Editorial

Comrade Grace Ike, Chairman NUJ FCT Council
NUJ FCT Council Chairman’s May Day Editorial

NUJ FCT Council Chairman’s May Day Editorial

·      NUJ FCT Council Chairman’s May Day Message

·      Insecurity and Poverty: The Bane of Decent Work

·      Journalists’ Resilience Amidst Challenges

·      Call to Government for Security and Poverty Alleviation

·      Employers’ Role in Protecting Journalists

·      Strengthening Union Solidarity and Advocacy

·      A Vision for a Safer and Prosperous Society

On this Workers’ Day of 2026, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council, under the leadership of Comrade Grace Ike, extends warm felicitations to all journalists and workers across the Federal Capital Territory.

The celebration comes at a time when the theme, “Insecurity and Poverty: Bane of Decent Work,” resonates deeply with the realities confronting the Nigerian workforce.  

Insecurity and economic hardship remain twin challenges that erode productivity, threaten livelihoods, and diminish the dignity of labour. Journalists in the FCT, operating within this difficult environment, often face safety risks while striving to inform, educate, and hold power accountable. Their resilience and commitment to ethical journalism deserve commendation.  

The persistence of insecurity not only endangers lives but also restricts access to information, undermining the ability of journalists to perform their duties effectively.

Meanwhile, poverty and rising economic pressures continue to weigh heavily on the welfare and morale of workers.

These issues demand deliberate and sustained action from government at all levels. Policies that strengthen national security and alleviate poverty are essential to ensuring decent work for all Nigerians.  

Media organisations and employers must also rise to the occasion by prioritising the welfare of journalists through fair remuneration, improved working conditions, insurance coverage, and opportunities for professional development.

Protecting and motivating workers is critical to national progress.  

As a union, solidarity remains our greatest strength. We must continue to advocate for the rights, safety, and dignity of our members, while using our platforms to highlight issues that affect workers and society at large.

Journalists and workers in the FCT are encouraged to remain resilient and committed, knowing that collective effort and purposeful engagement can help build a safer, more equitable, and prosperous society.  

On behalf of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike wishes all journalists and workers a reflective, safe, and fulfilling May Day celebration.

Below is the press release published as received:

PRESS STATEMENT

2026 MAY DAY: NUJ FCT COUNCIL CHAIRMAN, GRACE IKE, SALUTES FCT JOURNALISTS AND WORKERS, CALLS FOR ACTION AGAINST INSECURITY AND POVERTY

I warmly felicitate with all journalists and workers across the Federal Capital Territory on the occasion of the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration.

This year’s theme, “Insecurity and Poverty: Bane of Decent Work,” is both timely and deeply reflective of the realities confronting workers across the nation. It underscores the urgent need to address the twin challenges of insecurity and economic hardship, which continue to undermine productivity, threaten livelihoods, and erode the dignity of labour.

In the FCT, journalists and media professionals operate within this complex environment, often facing safety risks while striving to inform, educate, and hold power to account. I commend members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council for their resilience, courage, and unwavering commitment to ethical journalism despite these challenges.

The persistence of insecurity not only endangers lives but also restricts access to information and hampers the ability of journalists to perform their duties effectively. At the same time, poverty and rising economic pressures continue to affect the welfare, morale, and overall well-being of workers. These issues must be addressed with deliberate and sustained action.

I call on government at all levels to intensify efforts towards improving national security and implementing policies that directly alleviate poverty. Ensuring a safe working environment and providing economic opportunities are fundamental to achieving decent work for all Nigerians.

Media organisations and employers within the FCT must also play their part by prioritising the welfare of journalists through fair remuneration, improved working conditions, insurance coverage, and access to continuous professional development. The protection and motivation of workers remain critical to national progress.

As a union, we must strengthen our solidarity and continue to advocate for the rights, safety, and dignity of our members. Let us remain united in our pursuit of professionalism, accountability, and excellence, while using our platforms to highlight issues that affect workers and society at large.

I encourage all journalists and workers in the FCT to remain resilient and committed, even in the face of these challenges. Through collective effort, purposeful engagement, and unwavering dedication, we can contribute to building a safer, more equitable, and prosperous society.

On behalf of the leadership of NUJ FCT Council, I wish all journalists and workers in the Federal Capital Territory a reflective, safe, and fulfilling May Day celebration.

Signed:

Comrade Grace Ike

Chairman, NUJ FCT Council