Chairman of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas were amongst the dignitaries, who were honored for their outstanding national achievements by the FCT chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
The former Nasarawa State Governor was honored with the Media Personality Award 2025 by the Union.
The award was presented by the Vice President, Zone D of NUJ, Mr. Momoh Adeiza at the NUJ, FCT Press Week held at Transcorp Hilton Hotel to mark 2025 Press week lecture and awards with the theme: Journalism in a Changing World: Press Freedom, Media, Democracy and Society.
Senator Al-Makura, who was the chairman of the occasion, said, “As a former Governor, a legislator, and before that, a media man myself, I have seen firsthand how the press functions not only as the mirror of society but as its conscience. Journalism is more than reportage, it is the lifeblood of public accountability, the keeper of transparency, and the vessel through which democracy breathes.At the heart of every democratic enterprise lies the well-being of the people.
“Democracy is only worthwhile if it safeguards lives, protects rights, and promotes collective prosperity. These aims cannot be realised without a responsible and unfettered press—free to question, free to probe, and free to tell the truth, even when it is inconvenient”.
He proposed journalist safety and insurance framework, particularly for those in conflict zones or on investigative beats as art of efforts to revitalize the profession.
Also speaking, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, said, urged the Nigerian media to strengthen coordinated fact-checking frameworks through structured partnerships between major newsrooms, independent fact-checkers, civil society groups, and relevant government institutions to arrest growing threat posed by misinformation, disinformation, and the deliberate spread of fake news.
“Just a few weeks ago, we held our annual Open Week, a civic engagement initiative where we threw open the gates of the National Assembly to the Nigerian public. Thousands of citizens participated in that event, youth groups, media professionals, civil society actors, women organisations, traditional rulers, and government agencies were all represented.
“We created dedicated sessions for each demography to express its concerns, evaluate our work, and shape our legislative agenda. It was a proud moment of democracy in action, and it reaffirmed our belief in open governance and participatory lawmaking.
“In light of the growing threat posed by misinformation, disinformation, and the deliberate spread of fake news particularly through digital and social media platforms,” Speaker Abbas said.
The event was graced by former Vice Chancellor, Nasarawa State University, Professor Mohammed Mainoma Akaro, Director Chinese Cultural Center, Mr. Yan Jin Xi, SSA to the President, Mr. Sunday Dare amongst many dignitaries.