By Gloria Tochukwu Umeweni
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has continued its 2025 Press Week with a thanksgiving service at World Harvest Ministries in Jikwoyi, Abuja. The gathering brought together journalists and other attendees from diverse faith backgrounds, united in their quest for spiritual strength and unity in the face of increasing challenges within the media landscape.
Archbishop Professor Leonard Bature Kawas delivered a powerful sermon titled “Seeking Deliverance from the Athens Troubles of Life.” He urged the congregation to remain spiritually alert and courageous, drawing inspiration from Matthew 16:18–19. According to the Archbishop, journalists, as children of God, possess divine authority to govern their territories and must not yield to fear or the devil’s schemes.
The Press Week Organising Committee Chairman, Evelyn Onyilo, highlighted the significance of the gathering, expressing gratitude to God for the union’s preservation and leadership. She commended the FCT NUJ Chairperson, Comrade Grace Ike, for her resilience and service over the past seven months.
Comrade Grace Ike emphasized the importance of press freedom, warning against growing attempts to silence journalists. She reaffirmed the union’s commitment to a free press, stating, “Press freedom is non-negotiable. Despite challenges like misinformation and harassment, journalists will continue to speak truth to power. We declare press freedom for Nigerian journalists, especially in the FCT.”
The NUJ Press Week will feature a range of activities aimed at promoting unity among journalists, press freedom, and the vital role of the media in Nigeria’s democracy. These activities are particularly relevant in the current era of artificial intelligence, where the media landscape is rapidly evolving.
