The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) is set to celebrate the International Press Week, which comes up on Saturday, May 3, 2025. National Secretary Achike Chude, in a statement, said the event aims to recognize and honor men and women in the noble profession, as well as give various recognitions to deserving citizens across different spectrums of governance and socio-economic engagements.

Chude said the event seeks to beam a searchlight on those things that act as a constraint to the free participation and functioning of the media in the country. “If the press is not free, then the society is in shackles,” NUJ National President Alhassan Yahya said. Yahya emphasized that press freedom is a catalyst for good governance, and good governance makes dividends of democracy available to citizens in real terms.

The Good Governance Award, a major activity of the event, will serve as a veritable barometer for assisting good governance and promoting accountability of elected and appointed public office holders. Chude said the award will engender fair review and competitions among political office holders and business leaders and educate citizens to hold their leaders accountable. Yahya noted that despite challenges faced by journalists in Nigeria, the NUJ remains committed to upholding principles of ethical journalism and promoting high standards of professionalism.