By George Ozalla
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, is opening talks with Transcorp Hilton Abuja on a partnership that will create opportunities for journalists in wellness, business networking and professional engagement.
Chairman of the council, Comrade Grace Ike, spoke on the proposed partnership at the opening of the hotel’s new Padel Court in Abuja, where she said the facility could provide a meeting point for journalists, business executives and other professionals.
“Journalism is a demanding profession, with practitioners often working long hours and under pressure. It is important for journalists to pay attention to their physical and mental wellbeing,” Ike said.
She further said sports could give journalists an opportunity to stay active while meeting people outside their usual professional circles, describing padel as a sport that encourages teamwork, interaction and healthy competition.
“Padel gives us an opportunity to stay active, meet people and build relationships outside our normal professional circles,” she said, urging journalists to make use of the new facility.
Ike added that the council was interested in developing a relationship with Transcorp Hilton that would go beyond sporting activities.
“We are looking at wellness programmes, friendly competitions, professional discussions, business networking and other media related engagements that can bring journalists and the corporate community closer,” she said.
According to her, bringing journalists and corporate executives together in an informal setting could help both sides understand each other better and develop useful professional contacts.
She further explained that journalists needed closer contact with the hospitality, tourism, recreation and private business sectors, saying such interaction would give reporters a better understanding of the businesses and investments they cover.
“Closer interaction with the private sector will help journalists understand the businesses and investments they report and produce better informed stories,” Ike explained.
She commended Transcorp Hilton Abuja for adding the padel facility to its recreational services, saying it had created another space where people from different professions could meet, relax and build relationships.
The chairman stressed that the NUJ FCT was interested in working with the hotel on programmes that would promote journalists’ welfare while creating opportunities for interaction with the business community.
The proposed relationship with Transcorp Hilton could give journalists opportunities to combine recreation with professional networking and interact with business leaders and other stakeholders in a relaxed setting.
Ike said the initiative was also part of her administration’s effort to give journalists’ welfare greater attention. She maintained that journalists should have opportunities to look after their wellbeing while meeting the demands of a profession that requires constant movement, deadlines and public engagement.
The padel court has provided a fresh point of contact between the NUJ FCT and Transcorp Hilton, with both sides having an opportunity to build a relationship around wellness, sports, business networking and professional interaction.
Transcorp Hilton Abuja, located in Maitama, is one of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)’s established hospitality and business destinations, with a long record of hosting government, diplomatic, corporate and professional engagements. Its conference, leisure and meeting facilities, together with its welcoming relationship with the media, make the hotel a natural meeting point for journalists, business leaders and other professionals.
