Abuja: The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has assured the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council that the long-awaited affordable housing estate for its members will soon become a reality. Dangiwa delivered this assurance during the NUJ FCT Council Press Week Lecture and Awards Ceremony in Abuja, themed 'Journalism in a Changing World: Press Freedom, Media, Democracy, and Society.'
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dangiwa reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, including the Renewed Hope Housing Programme and the National Urban Renewal Initiatives, aimed at making housing more affordable nationwide. Addressing the NUJ FCT Chairman, Dangiwa stated that previous discussions on establishing a journalists' village in the FCT will come to fruition. He announced plans to direct the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria, through the Cooperative Housing Development, to provide land for this estate.
The minister also highlighted the need for stronger legal protections and better funding for independent media, emphasizing the importance of making journalists feel safe, respected, and supported. He urged journalists to continue scrutinizing the ministry's programmes to help Nigerians understand the government's housing objectives. Dangiwa praised President Tinubu's commitment to democratic ideals and press freedom, noting that transparency and open dialogue were key pillars of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Highlighting challenges in today's digital age, Dangiwa acknowledged that while technology offered new opportunities for journalism, it also exposed journalists, especially women, to risks such as misinformation and online harassment. He emphasized that press freedom is under pressure worldwide but remains vital for democracy, as accurate, timely, and fearless information is the foundation of good governance.
Earlier, NUJ FCT Chairperson, Ms. Grace Ike, identified the development of the journalists' housing estate as a top priority for the council. She stated that the council was working closely with the Ministry of Housing and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria to bring the project to life. Ike expressed that the goal was to provide decent, affordable homes for journalists and their families in the nation's capital.
Ms. Ike also unveiled other key initiatives, including the modernization of the NUJ FCT Congress Hall, procurement of a union bus, completion of the NUJ Pentagon Hall, and establishment of a journalists' welfare scheme. She described these projects as foundational investments in the future of journalism and the well-being of those who power it, calling on government, media proprietors, partners, and friends of the union to support these efforts.