Grace Ike urges government to move beyond promises to action, calling Maduagwu’s death a national tragedy that demands reform
By Dr. Nafisat Makinde
As Nigeria marks 65 years of independence, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has reflected on the gains of nationhood while warning that urgent threats to democracy, press freedom, and citizens’ safety cannot be ignored.
In a statement signed by the Council Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike, the union stressed that government’s foremost constitutional duty remains the protection of lives and property. The Council condemned the recent killing of Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, a promising young journalist, describing it as a grim reminder of the national insecurity crisis.
According to the NUJ, true independence cannot be celebrated while journalists are silenced or citizens live in constant fear. It renewed its call for security reforms, including community and state policing, as well as modern surveillance technologies like CCTV across Nigerian cities. It further urged the FCT Minister and security agencies to deliver concrete results, not empty assurances.
The statement emphasized that journalists are not enemies of the state but pillars of democracy, risking their lives to amplify citizens’ voices and hold leaders accountable. It called for fair remuneration, improved working conditions, and psychosocial support for journalists exposed to trauma and danger in the line of duty.
Comrade Ike noted that the death of Somtochukwu Maduagwu was not just a personal loss but a national tragedy. Having returned from abroad to serve her country with passion, her untimely death should be a rallying point for decisive reforms to protect journalists and citizens alike.
The NUJ concluded by reminding Nigerians that democracy dies in silence, and silence prevails when the press is unprotected. It reaffirmed its commitment to ethical journalism while calling on government, civil society, and the private sector to safeguard press freedom and uphold justice and accountability.
