As Dangiwa Hosts NUJ FCT Council, Backs Journalist Village Initiative, and Pledges Support to NUJ
The Housing Development Advocacy Network (HDAN) has commended the Honourable Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, for his commitment to inclusive housing, especially his recent pledge to support Nigerian journalists through the Journalist Village housing initiative.
Executive Director of HDAN, Festus Adebayo, praised the minister’s proactive engagement with media professionals, describing it as a bold and commendable step toward equitable access to housing.
Adebayo made this known in a statement issued in Abuja today, following the minister’s reception of the leadership of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council.
During the courtesy visit led by NUJ FCT Council Chairperson, Grace Ike, the minister assured the union of the ministry’s readiness to integrate journalists into the Renewed Hope Housing Agenda of the current administration.
Dangiwa stated that the government recognizes the media’s indispensable role in national development and will ensure journalists are included in housing projects through cooperative schemes under the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN).
“We recognize the role journalists play in nation-building. That’s why we’re committed to ensuring they benefit from our housing programs, including the Journalist Village project through cooperative housing,” said Arc. Dangiwa.
In her remarks, Grace Ike expressed appreciation to the minister for his achievements in actively leading the construction of over 50,000 new homes, describing it as a major confidence booster for the dream of affordable housing in Nigeria.
She also made a passionate appeal for the completion of the NUJ Pentagon building and the construction of a multipurpose hall to accommodate over 2,000 journalists in the FCT.
Ike emphasized the need for sustained collaboration between the ministry and media professionals, noting that journalists deserve a sense of inclusion in national development initiatives.
HDAN’s Executive Director further encouraged other stakeholders in the housing sector to emulate the minister’s inclusive approach, reiterating that affordable housing should be accessible to all, including media workers who play a crucial role in shaping public opinion and holding the government accountable.
The meeting marks a significant step in the federal government’s effort to align its housing programs with the needs of professional groups and underserved communities, in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
