By Queen Kunde
As Nigeria marked International Workers’ Day on May 1st, 2025, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, led by Comrade Grace Ike, used the occasion to champion both workers’ welfare and the urgent need to defend press freedom in the face of mounting economic challenges.
In a bold and heartfelt statement, Comrade Ike saluted the resilience of Nigerian workers—especially journalists—who continue to serve the public amid rising living costs, job insecurity, and increasing threats to media independence. “Workers’ Day is not just a time to honour the value of work,” she said, “but also a time to recommit ourselves to protecting the civic space—a space where every voice matters, where truth is defended, and where rights are respected.”
The NUJ FCT Chair tied her remarks to this year’s global Workers’ Day theme, “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the Midst of Economic Hardship,” warning that unchecked economic pressures could silence vital voices and erode democratic gains.
She condemned the harassment of journalists in the FCT and beyond, urging authorities to uphold the safety, dignity, and freedom of media practitioners. “Journalists must continue to speak out, hold leaders accountable, and protect the voices of the vulnerable,” Ike stated. “We must defend press freedom, push back against censorship, and fight for fair treatment at work.”
Calling on the government, private employers, and civil society to invest in better working conditions, Ike emphasized that democracy cannot thrive without a vibrant press and protected civic space. “Let’s not allow these economic struggles to take away our rights or silence us,” she said. “Instead, let our difficulties unite us in building a fairer Nigeria where every worker has a real chance to thrive.”
As the first woman to chair the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Ike’s message carried both symbolic and substantive weight, reinforcing a call for unity, media independence, and a renewed national commitment to workers’ rights and democratic values.
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