Speaker of the Home of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has described the media as a key companion in broadening Nigerians’ understanding of the workings of the legislative arm of presidency.
He acknowledged this on Saturday in Zaria at a capacity-building coaching for members of the Home of Representatives press corps with the theme, “Understanding the legislative agenda of the Home: The media perspective.”
The retreat was organised by the Workplace of the Speaker in collaboration with the United Nations Growth Programme.
Accompanied by a retinue of aides and lawmakers, Abbas counseled parliamentary reporters for his or her dedication, professionalism, and dedication to the ethics of journalism, noting that with their reportage, many Nigerians are higher knowledgeable to make selections on points that have an effect on their lives.
He stated, “By your diligent reporting, tens of millions of Nigerians achieve insights into our legislative processes, selections, and their influence on day by day lives. This partnership between the legislature and the media is important for attaining our core priorities the core priorities of fostering sturdy residents’ engagement.
“Your work informs and empowers residents to actively take part in governance and maintain leaders accountable.
“The tenth Home’s Legislative Agenda is a complete and bold blueprint designed to deal with the important challenges going through our nation. Our focus is on driving financial development, enhancing nationwide safety, bettering healthcare entry, reforming schooling, and advancing good governance. Every invoice launched is fastidiously developed to make sure it delivers tangible advantages to Nigerians and aligns with our nationwide growth targets.”
Taking inventory of the journey up to now for the reason that tenth Home was inaugurated on June 13, 2023, the Speaker revealed that lots had been achieved, promising that extra can be carried out within the remaining life of the present administration.
He continued, “Our one-year efficiency evaluation scorecard reveals exceptional achievements, together with passing 89 payments throughout our precedence areas. These embrace the Electrical Energy Sector Reform (Modification) Invoice, 2023; the Federal Audit Service Invoice, 2023; the Management of Small Arms and Mild Weapons Invoice, 2023 and the Armed Forces Act (Modification) Invoice, 2023.”
Others are, “The Nationwide Meeting Library Belief Fund Act (Modification) Invoice, 2024; the Scholar Loans (Entry to Increased Schooling) Act, 2024; the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, And many others.) Act (Modification) Invoice, 2024; the Nationwide Anthem Invoice, 2024; and the Conventional Complementary and Different Drugs Council of Nigeria (Institution) Invoice, 2023,” including that “These legal guidelines handle important facets of governance, safety, and financial reform.”
That stated, the speaker emphasised the importance of correct reporting saying, “Esteemed members of the press, whereas your contributions are invaluable, I have to handle a troubling pattern of misreporting that sometimes misrepresents the efforts of the Home.
“It is very important emphasise {that a} invoice is merely a proposal till it undergoes the excellent legislative course of, which incorporates public hearings. Mischaracterising payments as finalised legal guidelines mislead the general public and erode belief in our work. I subsequently urge you to keep up the very best requirements of accuracy and duty in your reporting,” he added.
A Professor of Political Science on the College of Abuja, Ernest Ereke opened the technical session with a concentrate on “An summary of the nineteenth Home Legislative Agenda: What you want to know.”
He urged the Home of Representatives correspondents to familiarise themselves with the agenda and its thematic focus, to allow them to precisely report the achievements and challenges of the Inexperienced Chamber beneath the management of Speaker Abbas.
On his half, media aide to the Chief of Employees to the President, Lanre Lasisi spoke on “Navigating the parliament to place the tenth Home Legislative Agenda in Media Perspective,” whereas a lecturer within the Division of Mass Communication on the Nationwide Open College of Nigeria, Dr Austin Uganwa took individuals via “Roadmap for efficient reportage of the tenth Home legislative agenda.
In his vote of thanks, the Chairman of the Home of Representatives Press Corps, Gboyega Onadiran, thanked the Workplace of the Speaker and the UNDP for placing collectively the retreat and name for collaboration between the media and the parliament to deepen understanding of legislative points.
“This occasion has offered us with a singular platform to have interaction with the legislative arm of presidency and achieve deeper insights into the Legislative Agenda of the tenth Home of Representatives.
“As journalists, we recognise the important position we play in selling good governance. Nonetheless, we additionally acknowledge the challenges we face, corresponding to restricted entry to info, harassment, and occasional intimidation.
It’s reassuring to notice that the tenth Home, beneath the in a position management of Mr. Speaker, has demonstrated a robust dedication to transparency and accountability, as evidenced by the institution of committees to supervise the actions of presidency ministries, departments, and companies,” he stated.