The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, has urged journalists to be accurate and responsible when reporting on legislative activities. He warned against presenting bills as laws before they go through the complete legislative process, including public hearings, saying such misrepresentation could mislead the public and damage trust.
“A bill is just a proposal until it’s fully processed and passed. Misreporting creates confusion and undermines the work we’re doing,” Abbas said at a training workshop for the House Press Corps in Kaduna.
While appreciating the media’s role in democracy, the Speaker encouraged collaboration between the press and lawmakers to promote transparency, accountability, and progress in the country.
Abbas also highlighted the achievements of the current House of Representatives, stating that 89 bills have been passed in 17 months. These include important laws like the Electric Power Sector Reform (Amendment) Bill, the Federal Audit Service Bill, and the Student Loans Act, which address critical national issues like education, healthcare, and economic growth.
He urged journalists to familiarize themselves with the 10th House’s Legislative Agenda, which focuses on eight key areas, including national security, economic development, and environmental sustainability.
Gbenga Onadiran, Chairman of the House Press Corps, thanked the Speaker and the UNDP for organizing the workshop, saying it would help journalists improve their coverage of legislative activities.
