FCT Muslim Pilgrim Board partners NUJ FCT on massive sensitization programmes

The Federal Capital Territory Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board, yesterday, agreed to partner with the Nigerian Union of Journalists, (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory, (FCT,) Council on massive sensitization programme.

Director, FCT Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board, Kadiri Edah, while receiving the NUJ FCT Council delegation led by the Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike in his office said the move is to ensure Muslims in the FCT are well informed and made to understand policies and programmes of the Board.

He said the media is seriously needed by the Board to really achieve its mandate and service to humanity, therefore, he expressed excitement for the courtesy visit.

He said: “We have our orientation activities in the camp, I don’t know whether you know our camp.
We have a camp where the pilgrims most of the time they assemble, we enlighten them, we educate them on things they need to know here and when they go to Saudi Arabia because many of them may be traveling for the first time and they need to know the do’s and don’ts of that area compared to what is obtainable here. So I think we want you to be part of that orientation activities.

“And for outside, everything that concerns this we’ll be happy for you being part of it. Finally, I want to appreciate you for coming, for recognizing us, coming to associate with us. I want to pray and wish that that relationship will continue.

“We will always be there for you as much as you are at all. to work with us.”

While congratulating the Comrade Ike on her election as the first female chairman of the council after 43 years of its establishment, he said he believed she was elected based on her pedigree, capacity and competence.

Earlier, the FCT NUJ Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike, explained why the Council on behalf of the journalists in FCT decided to make the courtesy visit to the Director, FCT Muslim Pilgrims’ Welfare Board, which was basically to interact, collaborate, and support the Board’s activities as far as information dissemination is concerned.

Ike also expressed readiness to give the full support of journalists in FCT to the Board based on the partnership between both organisations.

“When we came on board, we said, no, we have to extend our collaboration, extend our support and interaction with the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board.

“And I’m happy that part of the management members here, we have the welfare director here present and also the admin officer, you know, that will be interacting when it comes to welfare. But with the approval of the director, you know.

“So we submitted our letter and the response was more of seeking support for our Muslim brothers and sisters when it comes to Hajj, you know, but aside that we want to promote the activities of the FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board to see how we can collaborate and work together to promote activities and coverage happening within the welfare board.

“I really don’t know if there’s an existing relationship sir, but for us we are ready to work with the board, we are ready to see that the media covers exactly what you do accurately, even when we travel to Hajj.

“We want stories, positive stories out there, you know, coming back to Nigeria, particularly those that have been lifted from Abuja to see how we can report activities, you know, happening over there and basically here in the FCT.

“We are willing to work and we are willing to see that the media, you know, holds its ethical professionalism when it comes to reporting.

“We report balanced, objective and fair reportage. So my members, my team and I, just like I earlier said, we seek your support. Training and retraining of journalists is vital to see that we report you accurately and timely with basic understanding of the core objectives of the board

“We also report activities of ministries, departments and agencies in the FCT and we know that the board will not be left out.”

Members of the delegation include, the Secretary of Council, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, Treasurer of Council, Comrade Sandra Udeike, Ebriku John Friday and Alhaji Mahmud Isa.