Union partners with Nizamiye Hospital to provide free treatment for journalists in Abuja
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council has taken its welfare agenda a notch higher, offering a lifeline to a veteran journalist through free eye surgery.
Former NUJ FCT Chairman, Comrade Ndamadu Sule, regained his sight after years of battling visual impairment, following a successful surgery facilitated by the Grace Ike-led executive at Nizamiye Hospital, Abuja. The surgery was conducted on August 28, 2025, marking what colleagues and beneficiaries described as “a new era of compassionate leadership” in the union.
For Sule, the intervention was nothing short of life-changing. “By December 22, it would be seven years since my struggle began. I thank them for spending resources to help me. I remain deeply grateful to the NUJ-FCT Council for their support,” he said, overwhelmed with emotion.
The former chairman recalled offering prayers for Grace Ike even before her election, noting that her emergence as the council’s first female chair has brought a human touch to union leadership. “She called me before the elections. I didn’t know her, but I prayed for her as a female leader. God answered those prayers. Her work in healthcare speaks for itself. I am thankful she became Chairman and is fulfilling her duties with humanity,” Sule added.
True to her campaign pledge to prioritize members’ health, the NUJ-FCT has lined up additional beneficiaries. Mr. Nicholas Ngozichukwu of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and Mr. Kamoru Odunlami of ITV are scheduled for similar surgeries, after medical clearance. Journalists found unfit for immediate surgery have received medications and follow-up care to prepare them for future treatment.
The initiative has drawn commendations across the union, with many members describing it as unprecedented. It is part of a broader partnership between the NUJ-FCT and Nizamiye Hospital aimed at delivering free medical interventions to journalists in the nation’s capital.
Since assuming office, the Grace Ike-led council has repeatedly emphasized journalist welfare, with health support topping its agenda. For many observers, this latest intervention signals a union leadership willing to match words with action.
As Sule steps into a new phase of life with restored vision, the initiative stands as a testament to the power of compassionate leadership, an example many believe could redefine the future of unionism in the Nigerian media space.
