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BREAKING: Grace Ike Sworn-in As First Female Chairman Of NUJ FCT Council+PHOTOS
…vow to revolutionise council
…as healthcare, welfare, capacity building, accountability, face-lift of council building tops priority
By Gloria Ikibah
Comrade Grace Ike of Advocate Broadcasting Network (ADBN) and immediate past chairperson of the House of Representatives Press Corps has been elected first female Chairman of NUJ FCT Council.
Comrade Ike who is also the immediate past Vice Chairman of NUJ FCT Correspondents’ Chapel polled a total of 445 affirmative votes to emerge as Chairman of the council.
The first elected female and sworn-in as 17th Chairman of the NUJ FCT, after 43 years, in her inaugural speech on Wednesday, at the FCT NUJ Council in Abuja, assured journalists of working with them and her team to revolutionize the affairs of the Council.
She expressed gratitude and appreciation to her teaming supporters who dedicated their time, money and life to actualize her ambition, which she was able to scale all hurdles.
Comrade Ike acknowledged and hailed the recently elected National Executive of NUJ at the just concluded 8th Triennial National Delegates Conference, in Owerri, Imo State, where Alhassan Yahya Abdulah was elected NUJ National President, Alhaji Alhassan Yahaya Abdulahi along with his Deputy, and the entire Central Working Committee , which she described as well-deserved victory, saying their emergence “signifies a fresh chapter for our union at the national level”, and pledged support of the FCT Council and to work collaboratively to strengthen and uphold the ideals of the noble profession.
She said: “As I assume this noble office, I am guided by the timeless words of John C. Maxwell: “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” With this wisdom, we will navigate a path toward unity, progress, and excellence for our union.
“A Vision for Progress; Welfare: The welfare of our members remains a cornerstone of this administration. From affordable health insurance schemes to empowerment initiatives, every member will feel the positive impact of our leadership.
“Training and Capacity Building: Continuous learning is vital for professional growth. To this end, we will facilitate opportunities for both local and international training programs. As a flagship initiative, we will sponsor 20 members for the 2024/2025 Postgraduate Program at the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) with a 50% subsidy—just the beginning of our capacity-building plans.
“Infrastructure and Sporting Activities: Transforming our press center into a world-class facility will be a priority. Additionally, we will promote wellness and camaraderie through regular sporting activities, fostering a healthy body and a sound mind.
“Committees for Success: We will establish dedicated committees with clear mandates and measurable deliverables to drive our collective aspirations.
“Media Enhancement Bill: In collaboration with the NUJ National Secretariat, we will actively advocate for the passage of the Media Enhancement Bill to safeguard and elevate journalism as a profession.
“Inclusivity and Transparency: Inclusivity and transparency will form the bedrock of this administration. Every voice will be heard, and our financial records will remain open, ensuring accountability and trust.
“Empowerment and Recognition: We will introduce a Creative Writing Workshop Endowment in early 2025 to nurture creativity and innovation among our members, further empowering them to excel.
“Annual General Meetings and Financial Prudence: We will institutionalize Annual General Meetings (AGMs) as a platform for reflection, evaluation, and redirection, ensuring fiscal discipline and operational efficiency.
“Journalists’ Village and Professional Integrity: Realizing the dream of a journalists’ village will be a hallmark of this administration. Simultaneously, we will uphold the integrity of our union by addressing the challenge of quackery, preserving the honor of our profession.”
However,HowevNumber 1 Journalist in Abuja, called for action and appealed to members of the Council to work together and come up with useful ideas that would move the Council forward.
“A Call for Unity: As I take on this responsibility, I call on every member of the NUJ FCT Council to join hands with us. This administration is not about me; it belongs to all of us.
“Let us unite as one body with one vision. As the African proverb aptly states: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
“Today, I pledge my total commitment to you and to the ideals of this union. Together, we will build a legacy of professionalism, progress, and pride—a union that will stand as a beacon for generations to come.”
“he road ahead may be challenging, but with unity, determination, and faith, it will be rewarding.
“Thank you for this opportunity to serve. Let us forge ahead together into this new era of transformation.”
The Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has granted a pardon to a popular native doctor, Chidozie Nwangwu, popularly known as “Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki”.
Soludo signed an order for his immediate release on Friday and pledged to work with him for the betterment of Anambra State.
Nwangwu was convicted in February and sentenced to 11 months in prison following a plea bargain at the Awka High Court after pleading guilty to charges related to the practice of “Okeite” and other related matters.
The court had also ordered the destruction of his shrine in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area of the state.
He was among eight native doctors arrested in 2025 following the passage of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025.
He was charged with involvement in the promotion of money rituals, quick wealth and the use of human parts for rituals.
He was later handed an 11-month prison sentence and incarcerated at the Nigeria Correctional Service facility in Amawbia, Anambra State. He was also given the condition of renouncing his fetish practice and promising to become an ambassador for youth reformation.
Nwangwu accepted the conditions and had been serving his prison term until Soludo pardoned him under the prerogative of mercy, making him Ambassador for Youth Reformation in Anambra State.
The Special Adviser to the governor on Youth Reformation, Dr Nelson Omenugha, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, saying the governor had visited the prison in fulfilment of his duties when he made the announcement.
Omenugha said, “Thank you, Mr Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, for graciously extending your hand of mercy to Chidozie Nwangwu (Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki) and giving him a new responsibility as Ambassador for Youth Reformation.
“This is the heart of Youth Reformation: not just punishment, but correction, restoration, a new purpose and a new Onye Anambra.”
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not attend the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, SaharaReporters has exclusively learnt.
A top source close to the Presidency revealed on Friday that Tinubu would not be attending the annual gathering of world leaders, which begins next week.
“Tinubu will not be attending the UN General Assembly,” the source said, without disclosing the reason for the President’s decision.
The development comes after weeks of reports and official statements indicating that Tinubu was scheduled to attend the UNGA and deliver Nigeria’s national statement during the General Debate.
A provisional list of speakers obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) had indicated that Tinubu was scheduled to be the 10th speaker during the morning session on the second day of the high-level General Debate on Wednesday, September 23.
He was expected to address the assembly between about 11:30 a.m. and noon New York time, or between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. Nigerian time.
The 81st session of the UN General Assembly opened on September 8, while the high-level General Debate is scheduled to hold from September 22 to 28 at the UN headquarters in New York.
The expected attendance of Tinubu had also been confirmed publicly by Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim.
“The president was able to give us his word. Now, he will come to UNGA this September,” Ibrahim had said recently.
The envoy had said Tinubu’s participation would provide an opportunity for Nigeria to showcase reforms being implemented by his administration to the international community.
Ibrahim also said the President was expected to use the UN platform to engage international stakeholders on border policing in West Africa, describing the region’s porous borders as a major security challenge.
“So, border policing will be fine. These are the kind of things that the UN is established for,” the ambassador said.
He said the Federal Government was collaborating with the UN on a regional border-policing initiative and planned to seek broader international support for the effort during the assembly.
Ibrahim had also disclosed that there could be a meeting between Tinubu and U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the UNGA.
Tinubu’s reported decision not to attend the gathering means Nigeria’s representation at the General Assembly will now have to be determined by the Presidency. Tinubu will likely be represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The President attended the 78th UN General Assembly in person in 2023, while Vice-President Shettima represented him at the 79th and 80th sessions in 2024 and 2025 respectively.
Shettima delivered Nigeria’s national statement at both sessions.
The latest development also follows Tinubu’s recent overseas engagements.
On August 30, SaharaReporters reported that Tinubu departed Abuja for Europe to begin a three-week annual leave, with London as his first destination.
According to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the trip was described by the Presidency as a working vacation.
Tinubu subsequently travelled to France, where French President Emmanuel Macron hosted him to a private dinner at the Élysée Palace.
Tinubu said after the meeting that his conversation with Macron reaffirmed the strong friendship between Nigeria and France and their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation.
“Our conversation reaffirmed the strong friendship between Nigeria and France, as well as our shared commitment to deepening cooperation and building a mutually beneficial partnership between our two nations,” Tinubu said in a post on his official X account on Friday.
“I thank President Macron for his warm hospitality and friendship,” he added.
Meanwhile, Singapore has invited Tinubu to visit the country as it seeks to strengthen its relationship and deepen cooperation with Nigeria.
Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Jimoh Ibrahim, disclosed this in a statement by the Nigerian Mission House at the United Nations in New York.
According to Ibrahim, Singapore’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Burhan Gafoor, visited the Nigerian Permanent Mission House and delivered a letter from Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam inviting Tinubu to visit Singapore.
The UNGA 81 is being held under the theme, “Restoring trust, managing transformation: A United Nations that delivers for all.”
The annual high-level gathering brings together heads of state and government, ministers and senior officials from around the world to deliberate on global issues, including international peace and security, climate change and sustainable development.
Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has condemned the deaths of 37 miners who died while in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State.
Babangida described the incident as tragic and deeply disturbing, while expressing condolences to the families of the deceased and the people and government of Niger State.
In a statement issued in Minna through his media department and signed by Dr. Danladi Umar Abdulhameed, Babangida commiserated with the bereaved families and prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased.
He also prayed for God to grant the families the strength to bear the loss.
The former military president commended the Niger State Government for its immediate response to the incident, particularly the constitution of a committee of inquiry and the commencement of medical and forensic examinations to establish the circumstances and actual causes of the deaths.
According to the statement, the state government has confirmed the deaths and declared a three-day mourning period, while cancelling a planned political rally in Minna.
Babangida appealed to residents, particularly youths and families of the deceased, to remain calm while investigations continue.
He said the ongoing probe was necessary to establish the facts surrounding the deaths and ensure that appropriate action was taken based on its findings.
The former military president also urged all parties to avoid actions capable of escalating tensions or disrupting peace and security in the state.
He expressed hope that the investigation would be conducted transparently and provide answers to the bereaved families and the people of Niger State.
Babangida said establishing the truth about the incident was important to restoring confidence and ensuring that lessons were drawn from the tragedy.
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