Speaker Onofiok Luke of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has urged news mediums to be more educative in their editorial contents.
Luke gave the urge earlier today in Uyo while addressing the League of Veteran Journalists, Akwa Ibom State on a courtesy visit to him in his office.
In his speech, the speaker said that having benefited from educative and informative editorial contents at his tender age, he wishes the younger generation to be exposed to same, especially in this present era where education of the mind is very important.
Acknowledging the contributions of the League to the development, peace and unity of the state through the publications of its members which he said, promote unity rather than division, Luke also urged the younger practitioners to sit at the veterans’ feet and learn how not to use their skills and talents in destroying individuals and the society at large.
While appreciating the League for its message of goodwill and words of encouragement, Luke solicited more support from members of the League for the incumbent government of the state.
His words: “I thank you for your message of goodwill and words of encouragement, but we need more of your support. I can boldly say that this Assembly has enjoyed the most support and positive coverage by the press community. But in all of these, we must be conscious of the man with the vision. We have to support him to actualize his visions towards the development of the state.
We must cooperate with the executive and not to bend its hands to suit our whims and caprices. We must support the Judiciary to continually be the last hope of the common man; we need to support the Judiciary to be able to fast track the process of administering justice to decongest our prisons”.
He reiterated the vow and commitment of the 6th Assembly in sponsoring people oriented bills, noting that,though the House is not expecting to have everyone on its side, its main concern is having the majority of Akwa Ibom people satisfied.
“We are bound in our commitment to sponsor bills and make laws that will be of good benefits to the Akwa Ibom people. We are not expecting to satisfy everyone because no leadership can satisfy all the yearnings of the people. However, our aim and concern is to have the majority of Akwa Ibom people satisfied and positively touched by our efforts.
“I am therfore urging you to use your respective mediums to highlight the achievements of the government and feel free to criticise on those areas you feel improvements should be made”, Luke added.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman, League of Veteran Journalists, Akwa Ibom State, Chief Emmanuel Esifa commended Speaker Luke and his led 6th Assembly for always thinking and putting first the welfare of Akwa Ibom people, noting that this is evident in the peaceful and cordial working relationship between the legislature and other arms of government which has allowed for the smooth running of governance and development in the state.
Esifa conveyed his message of appreciation to the House for its interest in promoting capacity building and encouraging professionalism in the pen profession, citing an evidence in the recent sponsoring of House of Assembly correspondents to a workshop and capacity building in Eket.
His words: ” you have performed beyond the expectations of many, it is only you who have gone so far to create the level of human capacity development that we have seen so far. Thank you very much for honouring the press. This is the only Assembly which does not have any friction with the executive. Thank you very much for allowing peace. I wish very much that we continue to have this.
“Mr Speaker, I listen to the news and I hear bills that are being passed which affect the common man. Recently, the House passed a bill on health into law which I heard you personally sponsored. Bills like these help the common man on the street. And it is very rare to have speakers sponsoring bills, especially bills that will benefit the common people and not to increase their luxury by demanding more cars and allowances.
“I also commend you for always seeking the face of God regularly. Indeed, where your physical strength do not carry you, God’s strength does.
Ubong Sampson- UYO
0 comments :
Post a Comment