Speaker Abbas, Deputy, Others Celebrate NUJ At 70
…Commend Journalists For Contributing To National Development
By Juliet Vincent
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajuddeen and his Deputy, Benjamin Kalu have commemorated the 70 years anniversary of the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ).
NUJ was established on March 15, 1955, and has been at the forefront of promoting press freedom, protecting journalists’ rights, and fostering ethical standards in the profession.
In two separate statements on Saturday, they acknowledged and commended journalists contribution to national development and their resilience amidst challenges.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi on Saturday, Speaker Abbas said the NUJ has continued to stand the test of time.
He commended the Nigerian journalists for their immeasurable contributions to the country’s democracy and development, while holding the government and its officials accountable.
Speaker Abbas equally urged journalists to continue to train and retrain themselves to be more ethical and development-oriented.
According to him, with the new trends in information and communication technology (ICT), journalists must continue to learn, unlearn, and relearn on their job.
He noted that the media is called the fourth estate of the realm because its practitioners are critical stakeholders in society, who have enormous power and influence on the people.
Speaker Abbas expressed his belief that better journalists will make a better society, noting their watch-dog role in the polity.
He, therefore, disclosed the readiness of the House to welcome legislation that seek to promote the sanctity of journalism and enhance the capacity of journalists and media professionals as a whole.
Similarly, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Livinus Nwabughiogu lauded the resilience and commitment of Nigerian journalists to national growth and development.
Kalu acknowledged the significant contributions of the press to Nigeria’s democracy, despite the challenges and risks faced by journalists.
He said, “Journalists have played a crucial role in shaping our democracy, serving as a watchdog of the society and holding those in power accountable for their actions. Their bravery and commitment to truth have been instrumental in promoting transparency, justice, and human rights”.
The Deputy Speaker called for stronger press freedom laws, improved security and protection for journalists, and increased media literacy among the public, the Deputy Speaker also enjoined the members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm to always uphold professionalim and their journalistic ethics in their reportage for the good and progress of the country.
In the same vein, the Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Rep..Akin Rotimi Jr in a statement described journalists as partners in achieving the 10th Assembly’s Legislative Agenda on Open Parliament (Agenda 6).
He said that, the House has set a new standard for openness in governance by expanding public access to legislative activities and leveraging digital platforms for real-time engagement.
He said, “We remain committed to transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement”.
Rep. Rotimi Jr acknowledged journalists as society’s watchdogs stressing that, the House recognises the importance of ethical standards and self-regulation to curb quackery, misinformation, and sensationalism.
The lawmaker stated, “The proliferation of fake news threatens national stability, necessitating collaborative efforts between the media and government to uphold truth, accountability, and public trust”.
