…Lauds NUJ FCDA Chapel
The Director of Development Control at the Federal Capital Development Authority Mukhtar Usman Galadima has urged the media to assist in raising awareness on need for the public to collaborate with the Administration to address violations of the Master Plan and uphold Abuja’s vision to become one of the world’s most beautiful Capital Cities.
Galadima commended the Executive and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCDA Chapel, for their exceptional organization and execution of the 2024 Press Week noting that this recognition highlights the successful collaboration and efforts of the FCDA and the Nigeria Union of Journalists in making the event a resounding success.
While expressing delight at attending the event, he emphasized the significant role of the media in informing, educating, and entertaining the public and highlighted its crucial function in ensuring awareness of government projects among citizens. He assured the union of the FCDA’s partnership and acknowledged the media as essential in showcasing progress to the public.
In a statement signed by the Director, Development Control, FCDA, he noted the relevance of the chosen topic for the Public Lecture, particularly in light of challenges faced by the Federal Capital Territory Administration in implementing the Abuja Master Plan. We have numerous cases of flagrant abuse of the Master Plan by developers who build without recourse to the Development Control Department for the necessary building Plan approvals, others build on the water ways, while others attack our officials simply just doing their work.
He urged the media to assist in raising awareness about the importance of the public collaborating with the Administration to address violations of the Master Plan and uphold Abuja’s vision to become one of the world’s most beautiful Capital Cities.
In her welcome address the Chairman of the Chapel, Mrs Felicia Okoro, Thanked the Guests for attending the event. Explaining that the reason behind the theme was the burden on journalists to support the efforts of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr Nyesom Wike, in ensuring that the FCT Master Plan is secured through adequate sensitisation in various media.
The Chairperson NAWOJ FCT, Comrade Bassey Ita Ikpang in her goodwill message declared that “the role of journalists goes beyond reporting, but extends to observing, question and shine a light on the truth, we must continuously educate ourselves, let’s remain steadfast in our commitment to public interest. Let’s on our stories uphold Peace and Unity and ensure that the Master Plan is not tampered with. Keep sensitizing the public on need to verify before buying lands. May our efforts today lead to a stronger society.”
Earlier the Executive Secretary FCDA, Engr Shehu Hadi Ahmad, was represented by Engr Emmanuel Oluwadamisi, the Director Mass Housing and assured journalists that they are partners with the FCDA and must work together to ensure ” the people are sensitized to avoid the distortions of the Master Plan of the FCT”.
“We urge the media to sensitize the public on the need to join hands with the Administration to checkmate the abuses and distortion of The FCT Master Plan, so that Abuja can pride itself as one of the Most beautiful 20 Cities in the world” he declared.
The former President NAWOJ RT Evelyn Onyilo, stated that no nation can succeed without women, especially female journalists. She commended the leadership of the NUJ FCDA Chapel for reviving and reactivating the chapter. While commending the large turnout of FCT NAWOJ members in solidarity. “Women are here to complement and partner each other we are not in competition but to complement and must be seen as such”.
RT Evelyn Onyilo while commending the FCT Minister, Barr Nyesome Wike, tasked him to balance allocation of lands to both men and women. She stated that statistics is currently 95% to men and only 5% to women. Arguing that women as nation builders should be supported by his administration”.
Also in attendance were Tpl Yahaya Abubakar, Dir, Urban Agenda, former President NAWOJ, RT Evelyn Onyilo, former Chairpersons Princess Joy Omagha Idam, Comrade Felicia Chukwurah, Comrade Stella Okoh Esene and Comrade Anna Daniel.
