The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has pledged the commitment of the House under his leadership to leverage legislative instruments to promote gender equality and safeguard press freedom.
This is as he warned that no nation can thrive on fake news or disinformation.
The Speaker made the pledge on Tuesday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Week and Award Ceremony, which was held in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Represented by Akwa Ibom lawmaker, Patrick Umoh, the Speaker commended the media for its role in holding government at all levels to account and deepening democracy through its public enlightenment and education.
According to the Speaker, the parliament has introduced reforms aimed at increasing transparency, such as the Open National Assembly project and the live broadcast of plenary sessions and public hearings.
“These measures are designed to eliminate information gaps and build public trust. Democracy should always be inclusive, transparent, and accountable,” Abbas stated.
On gender inclusivity, the Speaker cited ongoing efforts to advance the Reserved Special Seats Bill for Women, hinting that a special stakeholder roundtable on the issue would take place from Wednesday to Thursday.
He urged media practitioners to be professional, saying, “No nation thrives on fake news or disinformation. Together, we must create a media environment rooted in integrity, truth, and accountability.”
Speaking at the event, Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Dangiwa, applauded the NUJ FCT Council for hosting the Press Week, describing it as a platform to reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to democracy and transparency.
He also commended President Bola Tinubu for prioritising press freedom under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Dangiwa pointed out the vital role of the media in promoting public understanding of government initiatives, including the Renewed Hope Housing Programme and the National Urban Renewal Initiative.
“It’s not enough for people to see what we do; they must also understand the reasoning behind our actions. The media plays a pivotal role in telling that story,” he said.
He called for enhanced legal protections for journalists and advocated the establishment of sustainable financial support systems for independent media. According to him, a vibrant democracy requires journalists who feel safe and empowered.
Reaffirming the ministry’s backing of the proposed Journalists’ Village in Abuja, the Minister said, “As I assured during our courtesy visit, we will collaborate with cooperative housing developers to allocate land once the council provides a layout.”
Former Nasarawa State governor and current Chairman of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Senator Tanko Al-Makura, received the NUJ’s Media Personality of the Year Award at the event.
In his keynote remarks, Al-Makura described the media as the nation’s conscience and a pillar of accountability and recommended media literacy campaigns in schools and communities to equip citizens, especially the youth, with the skills to critically evaluate news content.
“Democracy is meaningful only when it protects life, ensures rights, and fosters collective prosperity. These cannot be achieved without a free and responsible press,” he stated.
The NUJ FCT Council Chairperson, Grace Ike, earlier in her welcome address, stated that the Press Week was not just a celebration but an opportunity to reflect on the state of the media industry.
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She called on journalists to remain steadfast in their duty to the truth and national development.
She commended the award recipients and dignitaries for gracing the occasion and reaffirmed the Council’s mission to uphold press freedom and professional standards.
“The media must take its place as a builder of the nation through credible and ethical journalism,” she said
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