Spokesperson of the House, Rep Benjamin Kalu today formally presented the 2nd edition of the Green Chamber Magazine to the Speaker of the House Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila (Speaker of the House).
This presentation occurred during a meeting with the Speaker to discuss ways to deepen the understanding of the constitutional role of the legislature which remains the fulcrum of democracy.
Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila received the second edition of the Green Chamber Magazine publication and commended Rep. Benjamin Kalu for his consistent efforts in changing the narrative about the House of Representatives.
The Speaker noted that the Green Chamber Magazine has become a necessity so as to keep Nigerians and the world abreast with accurate information about the happenings in the Legislature.
He said the kind of misinformation about the National Assembly needed to be corrected, hence the coming on board of the Green Chamber Magazine.
Present during the presentation was a delegation of the European Union in Nigeria led by the Charge D’Affaires, A. I. and accompanied by Mr Paulo S. Barroso (Head Politics, Information and Press).
On his part, the Committee Chairman, Rep. Kalu, used the opportunity to solicit for partnership with the EU to improve the magazine.
Responding, Mr. Borges said they were ready to come in where their support is needed, calling for specific areas that they could render their support on.
He also expressed great optimism at the prospect of a strategic partnership with the House of Representatives in the fulfilment of the legislative agenda which seeks to preserve the legislature through more public engagement and assured the Speaker of the European Union’s commitment to help deepen democracy in Nigeria.
Responding to our correspondents after the meeting, Rep. Kalu said:
“The Green Chamber Magazine was launched early this year with the hope that through this magazine the House of Representatives will be able to reach Nigerians directly.”
“We have shown commitment by producing a second edition to show Nigerian’s that we are committed in ensuring transparency between the legislative and the Nigerian public. “
“We want to show that we are the people’s parliament because the more we bring information to the people, the more they will understand our work.”
“We also need strategic partnerships between us and those who have advanced in democracy like the European Union; that was why when I met Mr. Paulo S. Barroso (Head Politics, Information and Press), who approached me and told me how delighted he was by what I was doing with the media and how he wanted to partner with the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs to ensure that the activities of the House are more visible to the Nigerian public. I told him that I would let the Speaker know about it.”
“Today is the fulfillment of that promise and I am delighted that we can all come together to discuss further on how to better the workings of the legislative arm of Government and serve the people who elected us into office.”
“I also thank Mr. Clement Nwankwo (Executive Director, Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) for coming today and I appreciate PLAC for continuously doing a lot of work in the National Assembly to ensure that the principles of democracy are understood by Nigerian’s and that members of the National Assembly are helped in doing their work through capacity training workshops and seminars.”
