By Ameh Gabriel
Chairman of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and former Nasarawa State Governor, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, has been honoured with the Media Personality of the Year Award 2025 by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council.
The prestigious award was presented at the NUJ FCT Press Week and Awards Ceremony held on Tuesday at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, themed “Journalism in a Changing World: Press Freedom, Media, Democracy and Society.”
Delivering his remarks, Senator Al-Makura, himself a former media practitioner, emphasized the indispensable role of a free, responsible, and well-supported press in sustaining democracy, transparency, and accountability.
“Journalism is more than reportage it is the lifeblood of public accountability, the keeper of transparency, and the vessel through which democracy breathes,” Al-Makura stated.
He proposed a National Agenda for Media Revitalization, highlighting key components such as:
- A Journalist Safety and Insurance Framework,
- A Media Innovation & Sustainability Fund to support struggling media houses,
- National Media Literacy Campaigns, and
- The creation of a National Fact-Checking Alliance to combat disinformation.
“Let us institutionalize protection for media professionals, especially those in conflict zones or on investigative beats,” he added.
Other notable speakers at the event included the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, who presented a keynote titled “Press Freedom and Democracy: Attaining Professionalism without Rancour.”
Tajudeen reflected on the National Assembly’s recent Open Week as an example of democratic participation and urged the media to strengthen collaborative fact-checking mechanisms to curb fake news.
“Fact-checking should be a coordinated effort between newsrooms, civil society, and relevant institutions,” the Speaker stressed.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Architect Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, unveiled plans for a Journalism Village in Abuja as part of broader efforts to provide affordable housing for journalists.
Chief Ntufam Hilliard Eta, Chairman of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), was also honoured as a Patron of the NUJ FCT Council and pledged continued support to the union’s development goals.
Chairperson of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, said the Press Week was not only a time to celebrate but also an opportunity for introspection and rededication to national development.
The event was graced by prominent personalities including Professor Mohammed Mainoma Akaro, former Vice Chancellor of Nasarawa State University, and Mr. Sunday Dare, Senior Special Assistant to the President.
