The Speaker of the House of Representatives Dr Tajudeen Abbas, says the 10th house would organized training workshops on quarterly basis for reporters covering the House.
Dr Abbas made the remark during an interactive session with the House of Representatives Press Corps at the National Assembly in Abuja.
This, he said was to ensure that the reporters are fully equipped with the necessary tools to ensure effective parliamentary reporting to Nigerians.
” I also want to use this opportunity to inform you that the issue of training and retraining has been a core issue in the House of Representatives and we have had instances where we engage a lot of Organisations to come to our aid in terms of training not only on our members or our committee clerks but also to members of the press”. The Speaker said.
The Speaker observed that the media plays a viral role in publicizing the activities of the House and needs all the support and Cooperation they can get.
He stated that to make the tenth assembly more vibrant and active, a standing committee was set up to monitor and evaluate the activities of the House.
The Speaker also said the increase in the number of committees was not aimed at giving leadership positions to members of the House, but to increase the level of efficiency of the oversight functions of the House, adding that they have been given marching orders to ensure efficiency in their work.
The Chairman of the House of Press Corps, Ms Grace Ike, said members of the corps are conscious of national interest and have been doing their job with utmost patriotism.
She observed that the parliament being specialized area, priority should be given on training and retraining of members of the press corps.
Ms Grace Ike also stressed the need for the cooperation and support of the leadership of the house, especially committee chairmen for reporters to carry out their duties efficiently.