Goodwill Message by Alhaji Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa, Mni, Clerk to the National Assembly
Goodwill Message by Alhaji Salisu Abubakar Maikasuwa, Mni, Clerk to the National Assembly on the Occasion of Fund Raising Dinner for the Permanent Structure of the NUJ Secretariat and the International Institute of Journalism
Protocols:
It is my honour and privilege to bring you this goodwill message on the occasion of the Fund-Raising Dinner for the construction of the permanent Secretariat of the Union and the International Institute of Journalism. This initiative is strategic in the growth and development of the Journalism profession in Nigeria and indeed commendable.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The National Assembly and the Media are partners in progress, committed to ensuring transparency, accountability and good governance. As the First and Fourth Estates of the political realm therefore, we are not adversaries but allies in the business of nation building. It is therefore important that we continue to build bridges of understanding and partnership.
The National Assembly, more than any other institution, has been under the searchlight of the Nigerian Press. Without doubt, the Legislature is the only Branch of Government that conducts its affairs in the open. Despite a few cases of misrepresentation from time to time, the Nigerian Media has successfully held the Legislature and other Arms of Government to account.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
With the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill (FOI) into law, the National Assembly has demonstrated a practical willingness to partner with all Stakeholders, especially the NUJ in promoting openness and accountability. It is said that to whom much is given, much is expected. It is therefore our expectation that increased public access to information be matched with patriotism in reporting sensitive and security matters. As we have no other country but Nigeria, we must avoid reportage that is sensational and inimical to our corporate image. In this regard, I encourage Investigative Journalism and professionalism in the discharge of your noble duties to the people of Nigeria.
Like the NUJ, the Management of the National Assembly places high premium on training and re-training of staff to achieve effective service delivery. In this regard, I am happy to report that the act establishing the National Institute for Legislative Studies has been signed into Law. When fully operational, it will oversee and conduct capacity building for staff and Legislators.
Finally, let me end this message by emphasizing that Communication is sin qua non to Development. In the words of Thomas Jefferson, “information is the currency of democracy." This shows that the NUJ, which is involved in information dissemination, is a critical agent of development. Therefore, I appeal to all present to contribute generously to the Fund to enable the Union construct a befitting Secretariat with state-ofthe-art facilities and an International Institute of Journalism.
Long live Nigeria Union of Journalists!
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Thank you and God bless you.
