The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has secured a strategic partnership with Bespoke Holdings, an indigenous oil and gas and diversified services firm, to complete its long-awaited ultra-modern Congress Hall in Abuja.
The partnership was formalised during a courtesy visit by the NUJ FCT leadership to the management of Bespoke Holdings, as the union steps up efforts to strengthen collaboration and improve welfare and professional infrastructure for journalists in the nation’s capital.
Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Ms. Grace Ike, described the Congress Hall as a flagship legacy project that will serve as a central hub for congresses, trainings, professional engagements, and major union activities.
She said the facility, when completed, would significantly boost the council’s capacity and support the continuous professional development of journalists operating in the FCT.
Ms. Ike thanked Bespoke Holdings for embracing the partnership, noting that the move underscores a shared commitment to nation-building, corporate social responsibility, and support for the media as a critical pillar of democracy.
The NUJ delegation included Vice Chairman, Yahaya Ndambabo; Secretary, Comrade Jide Oyekunle; Treasurer, Sandra Udeike; Auditor, Rosemary Ukoko-Tega; Financial Secretary, Henry Abimiku; Assistant Secretary, Sharon Emephia; as well as Juliet Dangiwa and Elder Alfa Jacqdeen.
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Responding, the Managing Director of Bespoke Holdings, Christian Olatunji, reaffirmed the company’s readiness to support the completion of the Congress Hall, stressing the indispensable role of a strong and independent media in promoting transparency, accountability, and sustainable development.
He praised journalists for speaking truth to power, often at great personal risk, and questioned what Nigeria’s political space would look like without the media acting as a watchdog.
“Yes, we want to be part of what the NUJ is doing. Without journalists, I can only imagine what Nigerian politicians would have become,” Olatunji said.
“Even with journalists, things are still the way they are; now imagine if there were no journalists and everything was left to social media. There would be no accountability.”
He added that Bespoke Holdings would assess the project site to determine the specific areas of support, noting that the company remains open to meaningful contributions once the needs are clearly identified.
Beyond the Congress Hall project, both parties also explored wider areas of collaboration, including media engagement, strategic communication, and long-term partnerships of mutual benefit.
The NUJ FCT ultra-modern Congress Hall, when completed, is expected to emerge as a landmark facility for journalists in Abuja, symbolising unity, professionalism, and progress within Nigeria’s media landscape.
