NUJ FCT Press Week: Grace Ike Urges Journalists to Prioritise Mental Health, Stress others.vh uvuvnok By Raymond Enoch
The Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, has called on journalists to place greater priority on their mental health and overall well-being amid the growing pressures associated with the media profession.
Grace Ike made the call during the 2026 NUJ FCT Press Week Health Walk held in Abuja, where she stressed the importance of effective stress management in high-pressure work environments. The health walk formed part of activities lined up to commemorate the council’s annual Press Week.
According to her, journalists in the Federal Capital Territory operate under intense conditions, including tight deadlines, late-night assignments, security risks, and the increasing challenge of combating misinformation and fake news.
She noted that the mental and physical demands of the profession often expose media practitioners to stress, burnout, and other health-related challenges, emphasizing that journalists must remain healthy to continue serving society effectively.
Ike described the health walk as more than just a fitness exercise, explaining that it was designed to promote awareness about mental wellness, encourage healthy living, and foster unity among journalists.
She urged media professionals to adopt healthy habits such as adequate rest, hydration, regular exercise, and seeking counselling or emotional support whenever necessary.
“A healthy journalist is essential to a healthy democracy,” she stated, while calling on media organisations and employers to provide safer working environments, counselling services, and improved welfare packages for journalists.
The NUJ FCT Chairman also reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to journalists’ welfare, stressing that poor remuneration and unpaid salaries negatively affect productivity and professionalism within the media industry.
Former President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Rotn. Evelyn Onyilo, commended the NUJ FCT leadership for organising the health walk and encouraged journalists to take their health seriously despite the demanding nature of the profession.
Similarly, Chairman of the 2026 Press Week Committee, Comrade Obas Esiedesa, applauded members of the organising committee and highlighted other activities scheduled for the week, including a free medical outreach for journalists.
The 2026 NUJ FCT Press Week continues with activities focused on promoting professionalism, unity, press freedom, and the welfare of journalists in the Federal Capital Territory.
