Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has challenged Nigerian journalists to balance critical reporting with stories that showcase the country’s strengths and opportunities
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has challenged Nigerian journalists to balance critical reporting with stories that showcase the country’s strengths and opportunities, saying the media has a responsibility to project positive developments alongside exposing governance shortcomings.
Kalu made the call on Thursday while inaugurating the newly elected executive of the House of Representatives Press Corps in Abuja.
He urged journalists not to focus exclusively on government failures but to also highlight reforms, investment opportunities and achievements that present Nigeria in a positive light.
“I’ve travelled around recently and had conversations about Nigeria outside our country. Two days ago, I was with the European Union ambassadors, and one of the questions they raised was: Nigeria is so blessed, with so many opportunities; why is it that the analyses are not projecting our strengths more than our weaknesses?” he said.
He questioned whether highlighting government successes was inconsistent with the ethics of journalism.
“Can we write about what makes Nigeria good? Can we project the opportunities in Nigeria? Can we tell the good stories of what this current administration is doing? Is that against the principles of journalism to project what we have gotten right? Is journalism only about talking about where the government is not doing well?
“The consciousness of the people should not only be raised with regard to what is wrong. Can we also raise their consciousness to begin to see what we did wrong and what we have made right? It is about time we sell our nation for where we have gotten it right and where we are struggling,” Rep. Kalu said.
The deputy speaker described such an approach as “true balanced journalism,” noting that while the media must hold government accountable, it should also report efforts being made to address national challenges.
He also underscored the strategic role of parliamentary correspondents in strengthening democracy by informing citizens about the activities of the legislature.
According to him, the National Assembly remains the “fulcrum of democracy,” and it is the responsibility of the media to communicate how lawmakers carry out their constitutional duties through legislation, oversight, representation, public hearings and constituency engagements.
“We may not be able to tell our stories by ourselves, but you have remained our voices. Your pens are not just ordinary pens. What you write unites, which means that the power of what you hold in your hands can also divide.
“Can we continue writing for the unification and consolidation of Nigeria, for national cohesion, national loyalty, and to inspire patriotism? Though we are three arms of government, we are one government,” he said.
Kalu commended members of the House Press Corps for what he described as their professionalism and commitment to ethical journalism, saying parliamentary correspondents occupy a unique position within the media profession.
“For me, it is an elite corps all over the world. Those who report parliament are not just any kind of journalists. They are chosen because they are the best,” he said.
He thanked the journalists for ensuring that Nigerians across the country and in the diaspora have access to credible information about legislative activities, adding that responsible reporting has strengthened public confidence in Nigeria’s democracy.
“The confidence that people have in our democracy is because of what you have written. We will always stand by you. We have always stood for freedom of the press,” he added.
In a goodwill message, Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr., praised Speaker Tajudeen Abbas for fostering an open and transparent legislature that allows journalists unrestricted access to parliamentary proceedings.
“The Speaker has consistently promoted a culture of openness, accessibility and constructive engagement with the media. His leadership has created an enabling environment in which the parliamentary press can carry out its constitutional responsibility with professionalism and independence,” Rep. Rotimi said.
He described the parliamentary press as an indispensable partner in deepening democracy by helping citizens understand legislative debates, oversight activities and the impact of laws on their daily lives.
Rotimi urged members of the Press Corps to continue upholding the principles of accuracy, fairness, professionalism and responsibility, stressing that a vibrant legislature and a credible press are mutually reinforcing pillars of democracy.
Speaking after taking the oath of office, the re-elected Chairman of the House Press Corps, Gboyega Onadiran, pledged that the corps would continue to maintain professionalism while strengthening collaboration with the leadership of the House.
“In the last two years, the Corps under this leadership has worked harmoniously with the House leadership. We have built bridges, opened channels of communication and ensured that the work of the 10th Assembly is reported accurately and responsibly without sacrificing the integrity and ethics of journalism. That balance will remain our guiding principle,” he said.
Onadiran thanked the House leadership for its continued support, particularly the inauguration of the executive by the Deputy Speaker on behalf of the Speaker, describing it as a demonstration of the value placed on the parliamentary press.
He also commended Rep. Rotimi for introducing a health insurance scheme for members of the House Press Corps, describing it as the first of its kind in the history of the association.
The newly inaugurated executive comprises Gboyega Onadiran as Chairman, Christiana Ekpa as Vice Chairman, Nicholas Kalu as Secretary, Saheed Badmus as Financial Secretary, Adah Onah as Treasurer, Gift Chapi-Odekina as Assistant Secretary, Nsikak Evans Udoukpong as Welfare Secretary and Tope Balogun as Welfare Officer.
