NUJ FCT Council Cries out to Hon. Minister Wike over Secretariat Decay, Appeals for Intervention.
By Raymond Enoch
n a passionate appeal the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), (FCT) Council, has called on the Minister of the FCT, Mr. Nyesom Wike, to urgently address the worsening infrastructure at its Secretariat in Utako, Abuja.
The call formed the key resolution at the second NUJ FCT Congress held on Saturday, April 12, 2025.
Delegates described the current facility used for union congresses as “unfit” and “degrading,” lamenting that such conditions are unbefitting of a professional union operating at the seat of power in Nigeria.
“The current state of our Secretariat is appalling. We are earnestly appealing to the Honourable Minister to undertake a facility tour and see for himself the infrastructural decay we contend with,” the Congress resolved, urging Mr. Wike—widely hailed as “Mr. Project” for his record of visible development—to extend his signature touch to the journalists’ Secretariat.
Beyond the call for a facelift, the union also requested the completion of the long-abandoned NUJ Pentagon project, envisioned to become a central hub and iconic edifice for media professionals in Abuja.
The Congress went further, addressing broader concerns affecting not just journalists, but all residents of the capital territory. The NUJ FCT expressed deep frustration with the persistent power outages across Abuja, laying the blame squarely on the inefficiencies of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).
“Poor electricity supply is crippling productivity and affecting the quality of life. It’s a crisis we can no longer ignore,” the Union stated.
Members also raised alarm over skyrocketing telecommunications and internet costs, calling on the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to intervene and ensure affordability through stricter regulation and transparent billing practices.
Touching on a critical health concern, the union decried the rising cases of maternal mortality in Nigeria. It linked the grim statistics to the country’s worsening economic conditions and soaring inflation, and urged the Federal Government to roll out free maternal healthcare services, covering prenatal to postnatal care.
“This is a national emergency. Every Nigerian mother deserves safe, affordable, and accessible healthcare,” the union stressed.
In closing, the Congress reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to press freedom, social accountability, and public advocacy. It vowed to continue engaging relevant authorities to ensure journalists—and by extension, the public—enjoy improved welfare, infrastructure, and access to essential services.
As the NUJ FCT Council waits on the Minister’s response, its plea underscores a larger truth: that those who hold power to account must themselves have the dignity of proper working conditions.
