Taraba Speaker hosts journalists, harps on Legistlative Executive relationship.
By Jethro Yerga, Jalingo
The Speaker, Taraba State House of Assembly, Hon. Joseph Albasu Kunini has once again demonstrated his media friendliness as he hosted Taraba State journalists for the second time since his assumption of office.
The event which eventually ended with a buffet dinner, took place at the pastoral center, Jalingo recently.
Addressing throng of journalists that turn up for the event, the speaker said he was highly pleased with the pivotal role the media have been playing since the return of democracy 21 years ago.
Hon. Albasu noted that he regards the press as partners-in-progress owing to the purveyor function of the media, hence his constant interactions with the media.
He said “gentlemen of the press, I commend the pivotal role the media have been playing since the return of democracy 21 years ago. In the United States whose system of democracy we emulate, the press is called the fourth pillar of Democracy because of the important role it plays in shaping public opinions.”
“In fact, for a democratic country to operate its system to its full potential, the participation of the public is imperative, and that successively needs circulation of information to the masses and the purveyor of such information is the press.” He added.
The speaker however advised journalists to always be decorous and dispassionate while carrying out their constitutional role as the watch dog or mirror of the society.
He tasked journalists to always observe the code of Ethics for Nigerian Journalists and shun all forms of Yellow Journalism which emphasizes sensationalism over facts, as in the case of the social media which do not report news with facts, but embellish such with exaggerated facts and peddling rumors on personalities and knotty national issues.
While commenting on legislative issues in the state, the speaker said he had sponsored and presented a 43 chapters Bill titled, The Taraba State Violence and Discrimination against Persons (prohibition) Bill, 2020 as part of efforts towards tackling the heinous crimes against vulnerable individuals in the society.
The Bill which he said had already undergone first reading is aim at prohibiting indecency and violence of all kinds against the vulnerable individuals in the society.
The speaker further advocated for a cordial relationship between the Legislature and the Executive arms of government for smooth administration of the country or state.
Speaking earlier, the chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ) David Nya applauded the cordial relationship that has been existing between the press, the executive and the legislative Arms of governments in the state and prayed that it should continue.
Mr. Nya who encouraged journalist to always adhere to their professional ethics, assured guests at the occasion that the union was working towards bringing up a comprehensive list of all the journalists practicing in the state as soon as possible.
Also, the Chairman, Taraba State Correspondence chapel, Mr. Sadiq Adamu appreciated the press friendliness of the Hon. Speaker and pledged that the press in the state would continue to walk with him within the confines of its professional ethics in order to lift the state to the desired level.
In his closing remark, the clerk of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Mr. Orngu Mella applauded the cordial relationship that exists between the legislative Arm of government in the state and the press and called on journalists to keep it up as it was doing well for the delivery of dividend of democracy to the people of Taraba State.
Meanwhile, the occasion saw the unveiling of The Gavel, the legislatures periodic Magazine. There was also a tangible hand park for almost all the journalists that attended the buffet dinner.
