The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the future of independent media and human rights reporting, as it joined stakeholders in Abuja, for the launch of CHRICED’s ‘Make It Count’ initiative.
Key highlight:
- The FCT Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists reaffirmed its commitment to protecting independent media and promoting human rights reporting.
- The union participated in the launch of the ‘Make It Count’ initiative in Abuja, organised by CHRICED in partnership with Weltfilme.
- NUJ representative Kenneth Olajide highlighted the importance of ethical journalism and press freedom, particularly ahead of future elections in Nigeria.
- CHRICED Executive Director Ibrahim Zikirullahi said the initiative aims to tackle shrinking civic space, journalist intimidation, and misinformation.
- Stakeholders, including the National Human Rights Commission, pledged support for inclusive and independent media to strengthen democracy, human rights, and civic engagement.
The union made the commitment at a one-day stakeholders’ meeting held at the Catholic Secretariat Resource Centre, Durumi, and convened by CHRICED Radio and TV in partnership with Weltfilme, Germany, with support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
NUJ FCT Council was represented by Mr. Kenneth Olajide.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the council’s Chairman, Grace Ike, Mr. Kenneth Olajide underscored the centrality of ethical storytelling and independent journalism to Nigeria’s democratic future, especially as the country approaches another critical electoral cycle.
The NUJ chairman aligned the council’s long-standing advocacy for press freedom and journalist welfare with the objectives of the ‘Make It Count’ project, describing it as a timely intervention to strengthen rights-based reporting.
CHRICED Executive Director, Ibrahim Zikirullahi, said the project was conceived to respond to shrinking civic space, intimidation of journalists and the spread of misinformation, all of which endanger independent media and democratic accountability.
Read also:
- Ex-NUJ President Commends Security Agencies, Seeks Greater Media-Security Collaboration
- Alleged N110.4bn Kogi Fraud: Witness Claims Revenue Officials Received Majority Of Consultancy Commissions
- OOU Declares Lecture-Free Day After Student Killed In Ago-Iwoye Robbery Attack
- Beautiful Beginning Academy Wins NUJ-FCT 2026 Secondary School Media Literacy Quiz
He explained that the ‘Make It Count’ initiative will equip grassroots media actors with skills and tools to produce ethical, human rights–focused multimedia content that promotes civic engagement and inclusive development.
Partners, including Weltfilme’s Project Team Lead, Mrs. Julia Krojer, and the National Human Rights Commission, represented by Fatimah Mohammed, reiterated support for independent and community media as vital platforms for amplifying marginalised voices and advancing truth, justice and human dignity.
Disability advocates and other civil society actors also lent their voices, reinforcing the call for a media space that is both inclusive and rights-centred.
For NUJ FCT Council, the engagement further affirms its resolve to collaborate with CHRICED, Weltfilme and other partners to promote ethical journalism, defend press freedom and help build a more resilient media ecosystem that can sustain human rights reporting in Nigeria.
