The Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has urged journalists covering the House to always ensure they get their facts right before going public.
The Speaker, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase, during the inauguration of the new Executives of the House of Representatives Press Corps and the launch of its maiden magazine “Green Sentinel” as well as its website on Wednesday said the House was always ready to provide any information that is required by journalists.
“I urge you to use available opportunities of cross-checking your facts. Our doors are always wide open. Nothing is done is secret because we believe in communication. Communication is power. Where you lack communication there would be gaps.”
He assured the Press Corps of the House’s cooperation in the discharge of its duties.
“We believe you have the capacity to discharge your onerous functions. You have a role to improve society and you have been doing that but you should do more. Nigeria should move forward and we shall collectively move the Nigeria project forward. Democracy is about teamwork and we must work together to protect those things that would promote the tenets of democracy and good governance in Nigeria. We must all work together for Nigeria to work,” he said.
While congratulating the Corps on the inauguration and launch of the magazine, he prayed to God to help the leadership in the discharge of its functions.
Chairperson of the Press Corps, Comrade Grace Ike, thanked the leadership of the House for their assistance and cooperation with the Corps, saying they have been part of its achievements.
She described the occasion as “Another milestone in our drive as parliamentary reporters to be responsive, responsible, engaging and keeping time for posterity.“
According to her, it was the first time in the history of the House of Representatives Press Corps and indeed the Press Corps in National Assembly, that a female was being sworn in back-to-back as chairman.
This, she said, is confirmation that the Press Corps is gender-sensitive.
Ike expressed gratitude to everyone who made the publication of the magazine possible.
“Being here today is a testament to the can-do spirit in which the leadership of the House as exemplified by the Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila as Speaker has inculcated in us all for more than three years.
“Our decision to embark on this publication is premised on the realisation that as a select few opportune to experience first hand the work of the peoples’ representatives to make good and enduring laws for our country as well as being sources of empowerment, it is important for us to document these and behind-the-scenes moments. Though we are journalists, we are historians as we document most that happen for generations to come.“
The Spokesperson of the House, Ben Kalu, while congratulating the press corps said the press corps was independent as the House does not interfere in its activities.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chapter, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche, reminded the Corps that their allegiance was to Nigerians.
He called for balanced reporting and urged that democracy must always be promoted.
Ogbeche also urged the journalists to always ensure they are on the side of truth and accountability.
PIAK
