The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has promised the commitment of the House under his leadership to use legislative instruments to promote gender equality and safeguard press freedom.
This comes as he warns that no nation can flourish on fake news or misinformation.
The Speaker made the vow on Tuesday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Week and Award Ceremony, which was held in Abuja, the capital.
The Speaker, represented by Akwa Ibom member Patrick Umoh, praised the media for holding all tiers of government accountable and deepening democracy via public enlightenment and education.
According to the speaker, the parliament has implemented reforms to increase transparency, including the Open National Assembly project and live broadcasts of plenary sessions and public hearings.
“These measures are designed to eliminate information gaps and build public trust. Democracy should always be inclusive, transparent, and accountable,” Abbas stated.
On gender inclusion, the Speaker mentioned continued efforts to progress the Reserved Special Seats Bill for Women, implying that a special stakeholder roundtable on the topic will be held from Wednesday to Thursday.
He called on the media practitioners to be professional, saying, “No nation thrives on fake news or disinformation. Together, we must create a media environment rooted in integrity, truth, and accountability.”
Speaking at the event, Minister of Housing and Urban Development Ahmed Dangiwa praised the NUJ FCT Council for hosting the Press Week, describing it as an opportunity to reaffirm Nigeria’s commitment to democracy and transparency.
He also praised President Bola Tinubu for promoting journalistic freedom in the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Dangiwa emphasised the importance of the media in raising public awareness of government projects such as the Renewed Hope Housing Programme and the National Urban Renewal Initiative.
“It’s not enough for people to see what we do; they must also understand the reasoning behind our actions. The media plays a pivotal role in telling that story,” he said.
He argued for stronger legal protections for journalists and the construction of long-term financial support structures for independent media. According to him, a healthy democracy necessitates journalists who feel safe and empowered.
The minister reaffirmed the ministry’s support for the proposed Journalists’ Village in Abuja, saying, “As I assured during our courtesy visit, we will collaborate with cooperative housing developers to allocate land once the council provides a layout.”
Senator Tanko Al-Makura, former governor of Nasarawa State and current Chairman of the Universal Basic Education Commission, accepted the NUJ’s Media Personality of the Year Award at the event.
In his keynote address, Al-Makura described the media as the nation’s conscience and a pillar of accountability, and he advocated for media literacy campaigns in schools and communities to provide citizens, particularly young people, with the skills to critically evaluate news content.
“Democracy is meaningful only when it protects life, ensures rights, and fosters collective prosperity. These cannot be achieved without a free and responsible press,” he stated.
Grace Ike, the NUJ FCT Council Chairperson, emphasised earlier in her welcome address that Press Week was more than simply a celebration; it was also an opportunity to reflect on the state of the media business.
She urged journalists to be committed to the truth and national development.
She thanked the award recipients and dignitaries for attending the event and reaffirmed the Council’s mission to protect press freedom and professional standards.
“The media must take its place as a builder of the nation through credible and ethical journalism,” she said.
