AWALCO Eyes NUJ FCT Chair Grace Ike for November 2026 Award By Raymond Enoch
The Association of West African Legislative Correspondents (AWALCO) has listed the Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, for an award scheduled for November 2026.
The association disclosed this when its executives, led by President Innocent Odoh, paid a courtesy visit to the NUJ FCT Council Chairman in Abuja.
Odoh said Ike’s achievements since assuming leadership of the council had been impressive, describing her emergence as the first woman to chair the NUJ FCT Council as a significant milestone.
He said her leadership had demonstrated courage, commitment and the ability to take charge, adding that AWALCO was encouraged by the positive changes recorded under her administration.
> “We are indeed very impressed and inspired. It takes somebody with this kind of courage and commitment, and someone who will take charge of things, and we are really seeing the change,” Odoh said.
He explained that Ike’s nomination followed deliberations within AWALCO on journalists and professional leaders who had made significant contributions to journalism and public service.
According to him, her track record, including her previous leadership of the House of Representatives Press Corps, placed her among those shortlisted for the recognition.
Odoh disclosed that AWALCO had initially planned to hold the award ceremony last year to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the ECOWAS Parliament. The event was, however, postponed after the Parliament scheduled its own award ceremony.
He said the proposed award was also part of AWALCO’s broader effort to recognise outstanding contributions to journalism and strengthen collaboration with the NUJ FCT Council.
The association, he added, intends to work with the council to organise seminars, workshops and conferences focusing on democracy, good governance, development and legislative accountability.
Odoh described Parliament as the nucleus of a democratic system, stressing that legislative correspondents had an important role to play in interrogating democratic principles and examining how legislation could translate into meaningful development for citizens.
With West Africa’s population exceeding 400 million, he said stronger collaboration between AWALCO and the NUJ could help disseminate important democratic and governance messages across ECOWAS member states.
Responding, Ike welcomed the AWALCO delegation and expressed appreciation for the recognition.
She assured the association that the NUJ FCT Council was prepared to partner with AWALCO on initiatives that would advance journalism, democracy and development.
> “I really don’t take this award for granted. I’m honoured,” she said.
Ike urged journalists to uphold accuracy, fairness, balance and ethical reporting, stressing that the media remained a critical pillar of society.
She challenged journalists to move beyond their traditional areas of coverage and report issues capable of positively affecting society and the wider West African region.
The NUJ FCT chairman also identified journalists’ welfare as a major priority of her administration.
She urged AWALCO members to ensure accountability and transparency in their activities, while assuring the association that the NUJ FCT Council would provide publicity support for its initiatives and statements as part of the proposed partnership.
Ike further challenged journalists to use their platforms to interrogate emerging issues affecting democracy in West Africa, including electoral reforms and proposals such as direct primary elections.
She said issues capable of strengthening democratic governance should be properly examined and brought to public attention.
The NUJ FCT chairman also urged leaders in the journalism profession to build lasting legacies through diligent and responsible service.
> “Leadership is not easy. If you are a leader, you must do everything possible to leave a legacy behind,” she said.
She encouraged younger journalists to remain committed to changing the narrative around leadership and public service, stressing that journalists should produce stories capable of touching lives and positively influencing society.
Also speaking, AWALCO Financial Secretary, Favour Olise, commended Ike’s leadership and urged her to continue supporting younger journalists.
Olise said Ike’s achievements had made her worthy of recognition, particularly her efforts to attract reputable organisations to partner with the NUJ FCT Council.
> “Younger ones not in age, younger ones in the journalism profession, carry them along as you are already doing and keep doing the good works,” she said.
She described Ike’s efforts as encouraging, noting that her leadership was contributing positively to the image and development of the journalism profession.
AWALCO said it looked forward to strengthening its partnership with the NUJ FCT Council, particularly in promoting legislative journalism, democratic accountability, good governance and development across Nigeria and the wider West African region.
