The Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to actualizing the long-envisioned affordable housing estate for members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT Council.
Speaking during the NUJ FCT Press Week Lecture and Awards Ceremony held on Tuesday in Abuja, Dangiwa addressed the gathering under the theme, “Journalism in a Changing World: Press Freedom, Media, Democracy, and Society.”
The minister restated the ministry’s alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly through initiatives like the Renewed Hope Housing Program and the National Urban Renewal Initiatives.
These programs, he emphasized, are tailored to address Nigeria’s housing deficit and make home ownership more accessible across all sectors, including the media.
To further underscore his commitment, Dangiwa said, “To Chairman, NUJ FCT chapter, I want to assure you of our previous engagement and discussions towards having the journalists’ village in the FCT. I assure you that your dream will become a reality as I have pledged to you during our courtesy call and meeting engagement we had with you. We are going to direct the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN), through the Cooperative Housing Development, to provide the land to build this estate.’’
Beyond housing, Dangiwa used the platform to call for enhanced protection and support for media practitioners.
He advocated for legal safeguards, improved funding mechanisms for independent media, and a culture that respects journalists and the critical role they play in democracy.
“I say this not just as a minister, but as a citizen who believes in the power of ideas and the sensibility of those who support them,’’ he remarked.
Acknowledging the unique challenges faced by journalists in the digital age, Dangiwa highlighted both the opportunities and threats shaping the profession today.
“On one hand, digital innovation has made it easier to reach audiences, tell stories in real time and expose wrongdoing. On the other hand, it has also made the job more dangerous. Misinformation spreads like wildfire. Online harassment is real, and unfortunately, many journalists, especially women, face threats simply doing their jobs. That’s why events like this matter a lot,” he explained.
Dangiwa stressed that press freedom remains a cornerstone of democratic societies, despite increasing global pressure.
“We all know that the realities across the world and even in democracies, press freedom is under pressure. Journalists face intimidation, censorship and economic hardship. And in this digital age, where content can be distorted and even drawn out of the fake news, your profession has become more difficult. But let me say this, your work matters. It matters because democracy doesn’t just depend on elections. It depends on information. Accurate, timely and responsive information, and that’s what the press provides. It is free, fair and fearless.”
The minister also encouraged journalists to continue holding public institutions accountable.
“We want Nigerians to understand why we are doing it, and no one is better placed to help tell that story than you, the journalists, editors, photographers, producers, publishers, who serve as the eyes and ears of the public,” he said.
In her opening remarks, Chairperson of the NUJ FCT Council, Grace Ike, expressed optimism that the long-anticipated Journalists’ Village would soon materialize. She described the housing initiative as one of the top priorities of her administration.
“Our goal is simple: provide decent, affordable homes for journalists and their families in the heart of the nation’s capital,” she noted.
Ike revealed ongoing collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria to bring the project to fruition. She also unveiled other strategic efforts, including the modernization of the NUJ FCT Congress Hall, the acquisition of a coastal bus, the completion of the NUJ Pentagon Hall, and the creation of a journalists’ welfare scheme.
“These projects are not luxuries; they are foundational investments in the future of journalism and in the well-being of those who power it. I call on government stakeholders, media proprietors, partners, and friends of the union to join us in making these dreams a reality,’’ she appealed.