By Joy Odor
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts of the House of Representatives, Rep. Bamidele Salam (PDP, Osun) has advocated for more women participation in governance at all levels in the country.
Salam made reference to countries like Rwanda with 60 percent of members of parliament being women and Kenya with about 50 percent women in Parliament.
According to him, these countries made deliberate efforts, including constitutional provisions and deliberately party policies that ensure women inclusion.
The Lawmaker who gave the charge when the first female Chairman of the FCT Council, Grace Ike led other members of her Executive on a courtesy visit, Salam said Nigeria needs to do better in the area of women inclusivity.
Rep Salam informed that merit and capacity to deliver is not an exclusive right of a particular gender, while assuring the NUJ of his support and collaboration in areas of welfare and capacity building for members of the Union.
He commended journalists in the FCT for the choice of a female chairman, while urging them to continue to promote the core values of the profession and the Grace Team for engaging in issue based campaigns.
Earlier, the Chairman of NUJ FCT Council, Grace Ike affirmed her leadership of the council commitment in strengthening the relationship between the media and the legislature.
She mentioned that the visit is a testament to the commitment and their desire of the council to collaborate with the Public Accounts committee in promoting transparency and accountability in governance.
NUJ FCT Council Chairman said the NUJ recognize the critical role that the House Public Accounts Committee plays in ensuring that public funds are utilized judiciously while journalists are committed to holding those in power accountable for their actions.
She pledged the support of the NUJ FCT Council to ensure that the efforts of the public accounts committee in promoting transparency and accountability, saying “we believe that a strong and independent media is essential to a functioning democracy, and we are committed to playing our part in promoting good governance”.
At the House of Representatives Press Corps, the Chairman expressed appreciation for the support and assured that his leadership will pay attention to the welfare of members, while urging them not to turn their back on the Union.
