**Tells Journalists To Be Guided By Professional Ethics
-By Albert OGRAKA:
Speaker of Delta state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has said the legislature and the executive are enjoying a harmonious working relationship because the Governor of the State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, sees the legislature as his first constituency, having been an experienced former Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Speaker who stated this while briefing journalists during the third anniversary of the Sixth Assembly christened “Account for Stewardship: the Journey so far” on Thursday, June 7, 2018 in Asaba, hinted that despite the fact that the House had its fair share of daunting challenges and experiences, the legislature is determined and committed to do much for Deltans who deserve nothing but the best at all times.
“Delta State House of Assembly is not unmindful of the yearnings and expectations of Deltans for a proactive and forward thinking government which puts its people first.
“We hinged this firm belief on the fact that the legislature as an arm of government, and indeed, the Sixth Assembly of the Delta State House of Assembly would be an instrument of change committed to the promotion of democratic tenets, the rule of Law and the Supremacy of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”
He disclosed that during the period under review, the House received a total of seventy-five (75) Bills and thirty-six (36) Motions, adding the that thirty-six were Executive Bills, while thirty-nine were Private member Bills.
According to the Speaker, “Twenty-seven (27) Bills have been passed and assented to, while five (5) bills are awaiting assent. Ten (10) Bills are at the Committee of the Whole House, while ten (10) are pending at various Committees of the House. One (1) Bill however was withdrawn by leave of the House, and one (1) failed first reading.”
Rt. Hon. Oborevwori, who was flanked by principal officers and members of the legislature, expressed appreciation to the Media for their virile reporting and promotion of the activities of the House since the inauguration of the Sixth Assembly.
“You have proven that the press is indeed the gate keeper between the government and the people. So, I enjoin you to always cross-check your facts before going to press as few in your fold still tread the sensational path which altogether is not salutary for the image of journalism.
“I must emphasize the need for our respected journalists to be guided by the basic tenets of journalism; therefore I enjoin you to shun speculative and sensational “head line – selling” stories – This will help to maintain and keep your credibility in tact – as we all know “comments are free but facts are sacred”.”
