Grace Ike-led NUJ FCT Exco Makes History With Free Eye Surgery For Former Chairman
For many journalists, the pen is their sharpest tool.
But for veteran newsman Comrade Ndamadu Sule, years of impaired vision made even the simplest task a daily struggle, until hope came from an unexpected source: his union.
In a groundbreaking move, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, under the leadership of Comrade Grace Ike, facilitated a free eye surgery for the former council chairman at Abuja’s renowned Nizamiye Hospital. The procedure, carried out on 28 August 2025, restored Sule’s sight and dramatically improved his quality of life.
An emotional Sule expressed profound gratitude, describing the gesture as an act of compassion and true leadership.
“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.
He further praised Chairman Grace Ike, recalling how he had prayed for her success long before knowing her personally:
“Her work in healthcare speaks for itself. I am thankful she became Chairman and is fulfilling her duties with humanity.”
True to her campaign promise of prioritising members’ welfare, Ike has extended the initiative to other journalists.
Mr Nicholas Ngozichukwu of NAN and Mr Kamoru Odunlami of ITV are scheduled for similar surgeries following medical assessments, while others, who are unfit for immediate surgery, received medications and follow-up care.
The partnership with Nizamiye Hospital marks a first-of-its-kind intervention in recent years, underscoring the council’s renewed focus on the health and well-being of journalists in Nigeria’s capital.
For NUJ members, this initiative is more than healthcare; it is a reminder that their welfare matters and that leadership can truly serve with empathy.
