OLOGUNWA PAUL SHOLA
The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila has said that the citizenry, including leaders and the mass media, must do everything possible to safeguard democracy, or else every other achievement will come to nothing.
He said this was the only way citizens would leave the world better than they found it.
Gbajabiamila spoke in Abuja during the weekend at the opening of a two-day retreat on “Capacity Building Workshop for Members of the House of Representatives Press Corps.”
The Speaker said, “Our highest task and our most pressing ambition must be to safeguard this democracy. If we fail in this regard, nothing else will matter, nothing else we do will count in our favour when the tally of history is settled.
“We have it in our power to improve our nation’s future and leave this world better than we found it. So, let us do that, and let us do it together. “
The retreat, with the theme, “Deepening Legislative Knowledge Through Critical Reporting’, was organised by the speaker’s office to build the capacity of journalists covering the activities of the House in a world of increasing competition from social media, the challenge of misinformation, misrepresentation, half-truths and the duty of the journalist in separating facts from fiction.
Gbajabiamila noted that today’s reporters needed to be more equipped and always be a step ahead in contributing positively to the development of Nigeria.
“We expect journalists and media organisations to maintain a high level of professional conduct; we demand accurate reporting and detailed analysis of public policy and expect the media to continue to defend citizens’ rights, hold the powerful to account and promote the public good through the honourable practice of journalism”, he stated.
Resource persons of repute made presentations at the retreat.
Some of the topics discussed at the session were ‘The Role of the Nigerian Media in National Development: The Legislative Perspective’, presented by Mr Olusegun Adeniyi; ‘9th Assembly: Role of the Media in Attainment of Legislative Agenda’, delivered by Rep. Henry Nwawuba; and ‘Reportage in the Age of Social Media: Facts Vs Fiction (Balancing News Speed and Accuracy in Reporting the Legislature)’, which was presented by Mr Tolu Ogunlesi.
The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, Mr Lanre Lasisi, delivering the welcome remarks at the event, said the retreat offers the press an opportunity to reflect on developments in the media space.
“This role of the media is essential in nation building, and our dear Speaker, who coined the motto of the 9th House “Nation Building, a Joint Task” is very mindful of the work and contribution of the media and the Press Corps. This retreat, (organised by the office of the Speaker) is to provide a forum for this critical arm of the legislature to refresh and deliberate on developments in the media.”
Goodwill messages came from the Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Rep. Benjamin Kalu; and the Clerk of the House, Dr Yahaya Danzaria.
The Chairman of the Corps, Grace Ike, expressed appreciation to the Speaker for being consistent in supporting the members of the corps to excel in their work.
Ike described Gbajabiamila as the most friendly speaker to the corps since the country returned to democratic rule in 1999.