The new Speaker of Taraba State House of Assembly, Joseph Albasu Kunini, has acknowledged the importance of the media to the sustainability of democracy in Nigeria and therefore asked the press to ensure adequate coverage of the legislature in order for that goal to be achieved.
He made this disclosure during a dinner organised for the Correspondents’ chapel Taraba state NUJ on Sunday in Jalingo.
According to Speaker of the House, Joseph Albasu Kunini, shortly after he assumed office, he thought it wise to host journalist and familiarize himself with journalists and that this was his “first point of call” which he decided to have with the Correspondents’ chapel and that it was done to chat the way forward for the Assembly and the Taraba State.
Drawing a cue from the Briton who came up with the idea of three estate of the realm, said the media serves as the forth arm of the estate and the watchdog of government and therefore advised members to be passionate in their reportage of the assembly. “You should be fair by giving a fair reportage so that you will not be seen as not been subjective. You should check your facts”, he stated. According to him, Taraba has been underreported and that journalist’s report must be constructive.
Chairman House Committee on Information, Bashir Mohammed, in his opening remarks, said no dictatorial setting can perfectly work without the fourth realm of the realm. “You are capable of making or marring any society depending on the circumstances of the situation”, he stated.
Speaking on behalf of the chapel, a veteran journalist, Ben Adaji, advised the Speaker to speak to the govenor to come close to the press considering the coming 2023 election. He praised him for being humble enough to host journalists.
In his farewell speech, the clerk of the House, Mella Orngu , appreciated the journalist for coming to dine and wine. He said “it’s only today that I am aware that the pen is mightier than the sword”. He said the new Speaker’s legislative agenda is to ensure that Taraba was in the scheme of things as far as legislative agenda is concerned.
