By Joy Odor
Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, Chairman of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), has been honored with the Media Personality Award 2025 by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council.
The award was presented during NUJ’s 2025 Press Week Lecture and Awards ceremony held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja on Tuesday with the theme: “Journalism in a Changing World: Press Freedom, Media, Democracy and Society”.
In his speech, Senator Al-Makura emphasized the importance of a free and responsible press in promoting democracy and accountability.
He proposed a national agenda for media revitalization, including a Journalist Safety and Insurance Framework, a Media Innovation & Sustainability Fund, Media Literacy Campaigns, and a National Fact-Checking Alliance.
“As a former Governor, a legislator, and before that, a media man myself, I have seen firsthand how the press functions not only as the mirror of society but as its conscience.
“Let us institutionalized protection for media professionals, particularly those in conflict zones or on investigative beats.
“A Media Innovation & Sustainability Fund: Let both government and private sector stakeholders support digital transition, training, and sustainability for struggling yet essential news outlets.
“Journalism is more than reportage, it is the lifeblood of public accountability, the keeper of transparency, and the vessel through which democracy breathes.At the heart of every democratic enterprise lies the well-being of the people.
“Democracy is only worthwhile if it safeguards lives, protects rights, and promotes collective prosperity.
“These aims cannot be realised without a responsible and unfettered press free to question, free to probe, and free to tell the truth, even when it is inconvenient.” He said.
The event featured notable speakers, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Abbas Tajudeen, highlighted the importance of fact-checking frameworks in combating misinformation.
Honourable Abbas Tajudeen in his speech, title: Press Freedom and Democracy: Attaining Professionalism without Rancour, informed that “Just a few weeks ago, we held our annual Open Week, a civic engagement initiative where we threw open the gates of the National Assembly to the Nigerian public.
“Thousands of citizens participated in that event, youth groups, media professionals, civil society actors, women organisations, traditional rulers, and government agencies were all represented.
“We created dedicated sessions for each demography to express their concerns, evaluate our work, and shape our legislative agenda.
“It was a proud moment of democracy in action, and it reaffirmed our belief in open governance and participatory lawmaking.
“In the light of the growing threat posed by misinformation, disinformation, and the deliberate spread of fake news particularly through digital and social media platforms, I urge the Nigerian media to strengthen coordinated fact-checking frameworks.
“These should not be isolated initiatives, but structured partnerships between major newsrooms, independent fact-checkers, civil society groups, and relevant government institutions” Said Speaker Abbas.
The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Architect Ahmed Musa Dangiwa in his address announced plans for a Journalism Village in Abuja.
“The Federal Government has planned to have more affordable housing for the people, including Journalism Village in Abuja” he noted.
Chief Ntufam Hilliard Eta, the Chairman of National Youth Service Corp, (NYSC) who was decorated as Patron of NUJ FCT Council said he will continue supporting the council towards achieving successes.
In her speech, Chairlady of NUJ Council, Comrade Grace Ike said the Press Week is more a celebration, but a time to take stock and work hard towards national development.
The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including former Vice Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, Professor Mohammed Mainoma Akaro, and SSA to the President, Mr. Sunday Dare.
