Current Kaduna Assembly worst ever – Ex-Gov spokesman

The Kaduna State House of Assembly has been described as the worst set of lawmakers in the state since inception of democracy allegedly for sponsoring only four private bills in almost three years. Former Director General, Media and Publicity to exGovernor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero, Alhaji Ahmed Maiyaki, who stated this in Kaduna yesterday, said that the lawmakers hardly scrutinise, not to talk of debating or holding public hearings on the bills brought by the executive to the House before ratifying and passing such bills.
Speaking at the 2018 World Press Freedom Day with the theme: “Keeping Power in Check: Media, Justice and the Rule of Law,” organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kaduna State Council at the state NUJ secretariat Kaduna, Maiyaki said the media need to be up and doing to effectively serve as the watchdog of the society. “This is the worst state Assembly ever in Kaduna state, for a legislature that sponsored only four bills, while the executive has sponsored over 50 bills within the same period.
I learnt reliably that at times they pass a bill without deliberating on it, that they passed a supplementary budget within 34 minutes. “Today’s event marks the 25th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day, celebrated worldwide since its flagship organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientifi c and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
“The theme seeks to explore the interaction between the judiciary and the media, and their complementary roles in fostering transparency, accountability and governance. As we gather here today, similar events are being organized around the world to mark this auspicious occasion of the World Press Freedom Day. “This year’s main event holds in Accra, Ghana, to highlight media’s contribution to government accountability and transparency and ways to reinforce the ability of the judiciary to protect press freedom will also be assessed along with the risk posed by attempts to regulate online speech.
“The time has come for the Nigerian media to reflect on the glorious and sacrificial roles it played during the past military days to rescue the nation from the growing intolerance at all levels of government. Media is the cornerstone of democracy, but there appears to be growing global conspiracies against the media and journalists. “Media men and women have become endangered species, and exposed to danger, as they try to preserve democracy, rule of law and expose abuses.
For instance, Monday April 30, 2018 was the deadliest day for journalists anywhere in the world since 2015. No fewer than 10 journalists were killed in suicide bombings in Kabul, Afghanistan”, the France International correspondent said. Spokesman to Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna state, Samuel Aruwan, in his remarks said that the media in Kaduna state has been key to peace and stability in the state. Aruwan, said that there is no way el-Rufai administration could have clampdown on the media, as was being alleged, just as he tasked journalists in Kaduna state on ethics and responsible journalism. It would be recalled that the International Press Centre (IPC) reported that at least two Nigerian journalists were killed in 2017 adding there is a growing intolerance towards the media by the ruling elites in many nations and even in the West.