In a stirring display of patriotism and inter-sectoral solidarity, lawmakers, security chiefs, journalists, and civil society leaders gathered in Abuja for the 2025 Easter Cantata Concert organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council. The event served as a powerful platform for reinforcing unity, responsible journalism, and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Held under the theme, “Renewal and Hope: Harnessing the Transformative Power of Unity and Progress,” the concert blended music, faith, and nationalistic fervor to inspire renewed commitment to Nigeria’s development.
Participants at the NUJ Easter Cantata
Addressing the audience, Elder Leke Abejide, Chairman of the House Committee on Customs and Excise, underscored the importance of visionary leadership and courageous reform. Citing the painful yet necessary decisions made by the Tinubu administration, such as the fuel subsidy removal, Abejide called for patience, unity, and unwavering faith in the nation’s trajectory.
“True leadership demands difficult choices. As bitter as some may be now, they will yield sweet results in the future,” he stated. “The NUJ must continue playing its crucial role in enlightening the public and supporting policies that drive national progress.”
Abejide urged Nigerians to embrace accountability and action, emphasizing that national transformation begins with individual responsibility and a mindset shift. “Our renewed hope must be anchored in truth, responsibility, and the courage to rise each time we fall,” he concluded.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao Adewale, delivered a compelling charge to journalists, urging them to wield their influence with responsibility and purpose.
“One phrase can build peace or spark conflict,” Adewale cautioned. “The media must be proactive and developmental. Freedom of expression is a right, but it must be used to build, not destroy.”
He affirmed the police’s commitment to collaborating with the media, recognizing the risks journalists face while upholding the public’s right to know. “Just like us in the security sector, journalists serve on the frontlines. Your role is vital and deeply respected,” he said.
NUJ National President, Alhaji Alhassan Abdullahi, used the occasion to call for unity within the media community and for journalists to keep national security and development at the forefront of their reporting.
“Let us forgive, unify, and uplift,” Abdullahi urged. “We must put Nigeria first in everything we do.”
In her welcome remarks, Comrade Grace Ike, Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, emphasized the deeper meaning of Easter and the theme of the event.
“Unity is not a cliché—it is the very fabric that holds us together,” she said. “As journalists, our words shape realities. We must use them to heal, not harm; to build, not break.”
She encouraged media professionals to maintain high ethical standards and to remain committed to the ideals of justice, peace, and societal transformation.
The Easter Cantata featured uplifting musical performances, prayer sessions, and moments of reflection, all centered around the unifying vision of national rebirth and collective purpose.
As the melodies echoed through the evening, one message remained clear: in unity, truth, and hope, Nigeria’s future is secured.
