Avoid sensationalism in contributing to nation-building, Speaker Abbas advises the media

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has advised the Nigerian media to be objective and avoid sensationalism in its efforts to contribute to nation-building.

Emphasising the role of the media in shaping national discourse and holding the government accountable, Speaker Abbas urged the Nigerian media to remain focused and uphold journalistic ethics in its operations.

Speaker Abbas spoke when he hosted the management of the Media Trust Group, the publishers of the Daily Trust titles, during a courtesy call in his office at the National Assembly on Thursday. The delegation was led by the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Media Trust, Malam Ahmed Shekarau.

“Try to invest more in objectivity; try to invest more in professionalism; short-term gains don’t make an organisation last. It is truth and transparency that will make you last forever,” the Speaker said.

The Speaker noted that the House was ready to welcome constructive criticism at all times, stressing that it is part of a healthy democracy and governance.

Thus, he charged the Nigerian media to encourage responsible and professional reporting that would point out challenges, offer solutions, and ensure balance.

Since the inauguration of the 10th House on June 13, 2023, the Speaker said, the Green Chamber has been operating an open-door policy, which encourages transparency and accountability for the lawmakers.

He said some legislative priorities of the 10th House included poverty alleviation, law reform, security, youth and women empowerment, healthcare, and education, among others.

Speaker Abbas said the House recently unveiled its one-year scorecard, which highlighted the modest achievements it recorded in 12 months.

“The 10th Assembly is an open Assembly. We want to showcase our openness to the public to show what we do, generate opinions, and seek advice on what we’re doing. We don’t do anything in secrecy. We would like to emphasize our intention to make the National Assembly truly the people’s parliament.

“We wish to see how Daily Trust, as an objective newspaper, can support that aspiration. The aspiration we are looking at is nothing other than objective reporting and transparency, which, today in Nigeria, has become something of great concern.”

The Speaker expressed appreciation for the Daily Trust’s visit and commended it for its longstanding contributions to responsible journalism and the development of Nigerian democracy.

He sought the understanding of the media to partner with the House, by extension the National Assembly, in promoting Nigeria’s democracy.

Earlier, the GCEO of the Media Trust Group, Malam Shekarau, congratulated the Speaker for steering the affairs of the House peacefully in the past 16 months.

He also noted with delight the recent announcement by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to confer the Speaker with the National Honour of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), which he said was a welcome development.

The GCEO said the purpose of the visit was to request a media partnership with the House of Representatives, especially through its Trust TV, as well as request the Speaker to grace its annual Daily Trust Dialogue, scheduled for January 2025, as special guest of honour.

The Media Trust delegation comprised the GCEO; the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Trust TV, Ibrahim Shehu Adamu; the AGM, Special Projects, Abdullahi Mainasara; Head, Business Development, Haroun Saeed Malami; General Editor, Stella Iyaji; Politics Editor, Clement Oloyede, among others.