The Association of West African Legislative Correspondents (AWALCO) has nominated the chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory Council, Comrade Grace Ike for an award scheduled for November 2026.
The association which announced the nomination when its executives, led by President Innocent Odoh, paid a courtesy call on the council in Abuja said it was based on her achievements in office.
Odoh said Ike’s achievements since assuming leadership of the council had been impressive, describing her emergence as the first woman to chair the NUJ FCT Council as a significant milestone.
He said she had demonstrated courage, commitment and the ability to take charge, adding that AWALCO was encouraged by the changes recorded under her leadership.
“We are indeed very impressed and inspired. It takes somebody with this kind of courage and commitment, and we are really seeing the change,” Odoh said.
According to him, her achievements, including her previous leadership of the House of Representatives Press Corps, placed her among those shortlisted for recognition.
He said the proposed award was also part of AWALCO’s broader effort to promote awareness and strengthen collaboration with the NUJ FCT Council.
The association, he said, intends to work with the council to organise seminars, workshops and conferences focused on democracy, good governance, development and legislative accountability.
He described Parliament as the nucleus of a democratic system and said legislative correspondents had an important role to play in interrogating democratic principles and examining how legislation could translate into development for citizens.
With West Africa’s population exceeding 400 million, Odoh said stronger collaboration between AWALCO and the NUJ could help spread important democratic and governance messages across ECOWAS member states.
In her remarks, Grace Ike expressed appreciation for the recognition by the legislative correspondents.
She assured the association that the NUJ FCT Council was ready to partner with them in areas that would advance journalism, democracy and development.
“I really don’t take this award for granted. I’m honoured,” she said.
Ike urged journalists to uphold the principles of accuracy, fairness, balance and ethical reporting, stressing that the media remained a critical pillar of society.
She also encouraged journalists to move beyond their traditional areas of coverage and report issues capable of positively affecting society and the wider West African region, while calling on younger journalists to remain committed to changing the narrative about leadership and public service.
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