…tasks journalists on professionalism
By Paul Effiong, Abuja
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas has unveiled landmark achievements of the 10th House under his leadership.
The speaker informed that several achievements such as the National Dialogue on State Policing, National Discourse on Nigerian Security Challenges, a retreat on the effective implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act, tax reform modernisation dialogues, tcitizens town hall on the 2024 Appropriation Bill, as well as the pre-legislative presentation of tax reform bills among other engagements underscore the determination of the legislature to ensure that governance is inclusive, participatory and responsive to the needs of all Nigerians.
Abbas, who disclosed this while declaring open, a one-day capacity building training workshop for members of the House of Representative Press Corps in Kaduna State, highlighted various significant strides of the green chambers in the last 17 months, even as he emphasised the importance of more service delivery by the legislature for the betterment of the country and her citizenry
“Our Performance Assessment Scorecard reveals remarkable achievements, including passing 89 bills across our priority areas. These include the Electric Power Sector Reform (Amendment) Bill, 2023; the Federal Audit Service Bill, 2023; the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons Bill, 2023; the Armed Forces Act (Amendment) Bill, 2023; the National Assembly Library Trust Fund Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024; the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2024; the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2024; the National Anthem Bill, 2024; and the Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicine Council of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill, 2023. These laws address critical aspects of governance, security and economic reform,” he said
The speaker also challenged legislative reporters, especially those covering the green chamber, on exploration of the eight priority areas of the 10th House.
He pointed out that the 10th House legislative agenda is intertwined with the national development agenda of the present administration, which include strengthening good governance, improving of national security, law reform, economic drowth development, inclusion and open parliament, as well as influencing Nigeria’s foreign policy and that of environmental sustainability.
He maintained that by gaining accurate knowledge for the above mentioned initiatives, journalists covering the green chamber would be in a better position to report accurately and meaningfully by engaging constituents and all Nigerians.
He disclosed that the workshop was designed to deepen better understanding of the legislative agenda of the 10th House, while commending the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP, through the Parliamentary Development Programme for their steadfast support and partnership in making the workshop a reality.
The speaker recalled his earlier pledge to create avenues for capacity building to effectively enhance the ability of newsmen in order to discharge their assignment s constitutionally and professionally to the nation.
In his welcome remarks, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Administration, to the speaker, Illyasu Balarabe thanked the organiser of the workshop for choosing Kaduna State for the training, which he said would help to forge national unity, as well as national engagement.
In his address, Chairman of House of Representatives Press Corps, Gboyega Onadiran thanked the speaker for the conducive atmosphere provided for media practitioners to operate without interference.
