As Nigeria marked its 65th Independence anniversary, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on government leaders to act swiftly on the twin challenges of insecurity and press freedom. The union stressed that journalists face daily risks in carrying out their duties, and the rising cases of attacks on media practitioners threaten democracy and citizens’ right to information.

The NUJ FCT leadership urged President Bola Tinubu and relevant security agencies to make the safety of journalists and all Nigerians a top priority. They noted that freedom of the press is a constitutional right that must be protected, especially at a time when insecurity has spread across the country. The body also reminded political leaders that a free press is central to good governance, accountability, and national development.

Marking the Independence milestone, the NUJ emphasized that Nigeria’s democracy can only thrive if journalists are safe and free to do their work without intimidation. They also appealed to citizens to support the media, adding that the fight for a secure and democratic Nigeria requires collective effort.