Minister Says FMBN Will Be Directed to Provide Land for Journalists’ Village in Abuja
In the nation’s capital, Abuja, the proposed Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) village has received renewed support from Ahmed Dangiwa, minister of housing and urban development.
As part of the NUJ FCT council press week lecture and awards ceremony, “Journalism in a Changing World: Press Freedom, Media, Democracy, and Society,” the minister gave a speech in Abuja on Tuesday.
According to Dangiwa, there will be inexpensive housing for journalists in the nation’s capital.
He remarked, “I want to reassure you, Chairman of the NUJ FCT chapter, about our prior engagement and discussions regarding the establishment of the journalists’ village in the FCT.”
“I promise you that your dream will come true, as I promised you during our meeting and courtesy call.
Through the cooperative housing development, we will instruct the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) to supply the land needed to construct this estate.
Regarding the federal ministry of housing and urban development and its operations, Dangiwa counseled reporters to report responsibly.
We want Nigerians to know why we are doing this, and you, the public’s eyes and ears—journalists, editors, photographers, producers, and publishers—are in the best position to assist tell that story,” he said.
According to the minister, President Bola Tinubu has “genuine respect” for the function of the media.
It’s not merely lip service. It’s part of the renew hope agenda and is a policy and practice,” he stated.
Technology, according to Dangiwa, has transformed journalism and brought with it both opportunities and risks.
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On the one hand, digital innovation has facilitated public outreach, real-time storytelling, and the exposure of misconduct. But, he added, it has also increased the risk of the work.
The spread of false information is like wildfire. There are instances of online harassment, and sadly, many journalists—women in particular—face threats just for carrying out their duties. Thus, occasions such as this are quite important.
Everybody is aware of the fact that press freedom is under threat everywhere, including in democracies. Fear, censorship, and financial difficulties are all faced by journalists.
Your career has also gotten more challenging in this digital age, when information can be misrepresented and even extracted from bogus news. But let me tell you something: your labor counts.
The reason it matters is that democracy is not solely reliant on elections. It is contingent upon the data. The press offers accurate, timely, and responsive information. Free, just, and unafraid.
As stated by NUJ FCT Council Chairperson Grace Ike, the long-awaited housing initiative would allow journalists to own a home at a reasonable price.
According to Ike, these initiatives are essential investments in the future of journalism and the welfare of its supporters, not extravagances.
She called for the project’s support from the government, media, partners, and stakeholders.
