Federal Government to Engage FMBN on Land Allocation for Abuja Journalists’ Village – Minister

The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) village in Abuja, the country’s capital, has received renewed support from Ahmed Dangiwa, minister of housing and urban development.

Speaking at the NUJ FCT council press week lecture and awards event on Tuesday, “Journalism in a Changing World: Press Freedom, Media, Democracy, and Society,” the minister was in Abuja.

According to Dangiwa, the country’s capital’s affordable housing estate for journalists would eventually come to pass.

He addressed the chairman of the NUJ FCT chapter, saying, “I want to reassure you of our previous engagement and discussions towards having the journalists’ village in the FCT.”

“As I promised you during our courtesy call and meeting, I can guarantee that your dream will come true.

“The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) will be instructed to supply the land for the construction of this estate through the cooperative housing development.”

Reporters covering the federal ministry of housing and urban development and its operations should do so responsibly, Dangiwa advised.

“You, the journalists, editors, photographers, producers, and publishers, who act as the public’s eyes and ears, are in the best position to help tell that story in order for Nigerians to understand why we are doing it,” he stated.

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President Bola Tinubu, according to the minister, has “genuine respect” for the job of the media.

It’s more than just lip service. It’s a habit, policy, and component of the “renew hope” program,” he stated.

Technology has transformed journalism, offering both opportunities and hazards, according to Dangiwa.

“On the one hand, digital innovation has made it simpler to uncover misconduct, reach audiences, and tell stories in real time. However, he added, “it has also increased the job’s risk.”

False information spreads quickly. Unfortunately, many journalists, particularly women, face threats just for doing their jobs, and online harassment is a real problem. Events like this are therefore very important.

We are all aware of the fact that press freedom is threatened everywhere, including in democracies. Economic difficulty, censorship, and intimidation are all faced by journalists.

In the current digital era, where information can be misrepresented and even extracted from fake news, your line of work has added complexity. I will say this, though: your job is important.

“It important because elections are not the only thing that make democracy work. The information determines this. The press delivers information that is accurate, timely, and relevant. It is unafraid, just, and free.

The much anticipated housing initiative will allow journalists to own an affordable home, according to Grace Ike, chairperson of the NUJ FCT council.

Ike declared, “These initiatives are not frivolities; they are fundamental investments in the future of journalism and the welfare of those who support it.”

She called on partners, stakeholders, the media, and the government to back the project.