Wike Pledges Support for NUJ on Establishing Media Village in Abuja

•Issues final warning to ground rent defaulters

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has promised to provide a parcel of land to support the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) towards establishing a Media Village in Abuja.

He gave the assurance yesterday when he received NUJ President Chris Isiguzo in his office.

Isiguso had sought the minister’s support for NUJ’s activities for the forthcoming ‘News Week’, which includes capacity-building programmes for reporters that will empower them to provide more informed and insightful reporting.

The NUJ president also requested the FCT Administration’s backing for the union’s National Media Conference in Abuja. He said such a facility would be a hub for fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing and innovation.

In his response, Wike said the request would be given on the condition that it would be developed at a specific time. The minister gave a condition to NUJ that it must demonstrate a commitment to when the project will be developed.

“Otherwise, it will go back to us. Not just to come and take our land and later to come and sell it for N4 billion. We will support you because the media should be our friends,” Wike stated.

Speaking further, the minister warned defaulters of ground rents in FCT to offset their outstanding liabilities, saying at the end of the grace period, he would match his words with actions by revoking such plots. He cautioned defaulters that at the end of the ultimatum for payment, “something will happen.”

“Some people are saying what we are doing is ‘initial gragra’, but I want to say that at the end of the day, something will happen. We will step on toes because you cannot have governance without stepping on toes,” stated Wike. “I did not make the laws, but I and my colleague, the minister of state, have the political will to enforce the laws.”

At a separate meeting with the Canadian Ambassador to Nigeria, James Chrisoff, Wike assured foreign missions and other investors of improved security in the FCT, saying security agencies were working daily to ensure that security is full-proof on the nation’s capital.

 “Security has improved in the FCT. Security agencies have been working round the clock to ensure that the environment remains safe. For instance, the issue of one-chance, we set up a joint task force, and they have been working round the clock. Since then, no incidence has been recorded,” Wike said.