The Anambra State House of Assembly Speaker, Right Honourable Somtochukwu Udeze says the Eight Assembly will partner Nigeria Union of Journalists, in the enactment of quality laws for good governance.
He stated this when the Executive and some stakeholders of the union paid him a courtesy visit at the State legislative complex in Awka.
While commending Journalists for being alive to their responsibilities, the Speaker noted that State Government places priority on the welfare of workers by working towards creating an enabling environment to enhance their productivity.
Right Honourable Udeze charged the union to always contribute their quota to good governance of Anambra State by coming up with ideas on how the Legislature can serve the state better.
“The House is in the process of enacting laws that will checkmate anti-touting in Anambra, plug revenue leakages and improve local government administration,” he stated.
He however, called for constant training and retraining of the state legislators to enable them discharge their legislative duties creditably.
“We have 22 new legislators out of 33 members, so training is so important to acquaint them with the proper way to legislate,” he reiterated.
The Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists, Anambra State Council, Dr. Emeka Odogwu in his remarks, appreciated Right Honourable Udeze for being accountable and commended the ongoing renovation works on the legislative complex.
“In the light of partnership, the Council is planning a two days symposium between NUJ and members of Anambra State House of Assembly on better ways to report the activities of the House and I solicit for the house support in these regards,” he implored.
In a vote of thanks, a veteran member of the Union, Comrade Okechukwu Obenta stressed the need for Anambra State Government to support the union with monthly subvention as it will enable them to organise constant training workshop for members of the union.
Anambra is underreported and adequate training of journalists will bring Anambra State to the limelight in areas that need Federal Government interventions such as ecological disasters,” he noted.
The Majority Leader of the House Hon Ikenna Ofodeme representing Ekwusigo Constituency and the Chairman Committee on Culture, Arts and Tourism, Honourable Nigeria Mbachu representing Awka South 1, were also present to receive the NUJ entourage.
Dominica Nwabufo
