The House of Representatives has congratulated the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on its 70th anniversary, acknowledging its resilience and contributions to democracy, good governance, and national development.
Founded on March 15, 1955, the NUJ has been at the forefront of press freedom, ethical journalism, and media welfare. Over the decades, Nigerian journalists have shaped public discourse, held leaders accountable, and upheld the need for truth, fairness, and accuracy in media reportage.
Speaker of the House, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, commended the NUJ’s immeasurable contributions to national development, urging improved welfare for journalists and continuous learning.
“With new trends in information and communication technology (ICT), journalists must continue to learn, unlearn, and relearn to remain relevant and effective,” he stated in a statement by spokesman of the House, Akin Rotimi on Saturday.
Abbas also reaffirmed the House’s commitment to press freedom and advancing legislation that protects journalists and strengthens media capacity.
“As partners in achieving the 10th Assembly’s Legislative Agenda on Open Parliament (Agenda 6), the House has set a new standard for openness in governance by expanding public access to legislative activities and leveraging digital platforms for real-time engagement. We remain committed to transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement,” he said.
Acknowledging journalists as society’s watchdogs, the House stressed the importance of ethical standards and self-regulation to curb quackery, misinformation, and sensationalism.
“The proliferation of fake news threatens national stability, necessitating collaborative efforts between the media and government to uphold truth, accountability, and public trust,” he said.