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True Democracy Means Everyone Must Have a Voice – Speaker Abbas

Published

2 weeks ago

April 29, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

…as young Nigerians, social media influencers push for free speech, national unity

By Gloria Ikibah

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, says the strength of Nigeria’s democracy should be judged by how much all citizens, especially key groups, are included in decision-making.

Speaker Abbas who stated this while meeting with a group of social media influencers, many of them young Nigerians, at the ‘Speaker’s New Media Exchange 2025’, stressed the importance of youth voices and the role of online platforms in shaping the country’s democracy on Monday in Abuja.

According to him, “democracy must be measured not merely by its procedures but by its inclusiveness”.

He stated that the engagement, with the theme, ‘Smart Cities and Ethical Media: Navigating the Role of Policy in National Development,’ was for a critical reflection on the intersection of governance, innovation, and responsible communication.

He said: “We are not unmindful of the challenges posed by misinformation, digital security threats, and the misuse of online platforms. Nonetheless, our approach shall remain rooted in dialogue, education, and constructive engagement rather than censorship or coercion.”

The Speaker described the interaction as an unprecedented engagement designed to formalise a dialogue between the Nigerian Parliament and the dynamic community of digital actors.

“Today’s session marks a seminal moment. It is the first structured interaction at the highest legislative level with social media influencers, recognising their significant contributions to the democratic enterprise and shaping national discourse.

“In a nation whose demographic composition is overwhelmingly youthful, and where digital platforms have become central to information exchange, advocacy, and civic engagement, it is both strategic and necessary to forge this partnership”, he stated.

Abbas noted that the significance of the collaboration is underscored by compelling data, the Speaker noted that Nigeria’s digital landscape has expanded rapidly, with approximately 38.7 million active social media users as of 2025, representing 16.3 per cent of the national population and marking a 5.3 per cent increase from the previous year.

Moreover, he added, Nigerians rank fifth globally in average daily time spent on social media, dedicating approximately three hours and twenty-three minutes each day.

“These figures attest to the unrivalled capacity of digital platforms to shape public opinion, influence consumer behaviour, and drive civic engagement. It is therefore evident that meaningful partnership with the digital community is not optional but essential to building a more participatory democracy”, Abbas added.

The Speaker pointed out that the Legislative Agenda of the 10th House rests on a foundational commitment to deepen public participation in governance.

“Our aspiration is to build a parliament that is accessible, transparent, responsive, and firmly anchored in the aspirations of all Nigerians.”

To this end, Speaker Abbas noted that the House has expanded channels of engagement through live-streamed plenary sessions, constituency dialogues, the annual Open National Assembly Week dedicated to access and inclusion, and now, purposeful engagement with the digital ecosystem.

“Beyond these initiatives, the House is pursuing reforms that foreground the rights of persons living with disabilities, promote the inclusion of marginalised communities, and advance the political participation of women through constitutional amendment processes. Our democracy must be measured not merely by its procedures but by its inclusiveness.

“You are pivotal agents in the contemporary information environment. Your platforms serve as vital conduits for citizen engagement, policy interpretation, and the cultivation of public consciousness”, he asserted.

The Speaker further said the House has demonstrated its commitment to innovation and youth empowerment through legislation such as the Nigeria Start-Up Act, which fosters an enabling environment for technology entrepreneurs; and the Nigeria Data Protection Act, which safeguards digital rights.

“We continue to uphold the Freedom of Information Act as an instrument for transparency. We have expanded opportunities for youth inclusion through initiatives like the Legislative Mentorship Initiative, the Bi-Annual Youth Town Hall Meetings, and enhanced budgetary support for youth development programmes in the 2025 budget,” he added.

Speaker Abbas also cited the establishment of the House Committee on Youth and the House Committee on Youth in Parliament, which underscores our resolve to institutionalise youth participation.

Leading the influencers to speak, a former Director-General, Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Dr. Joe Abah, OON, noted that the tension between freedom of speech and national interest has subsisted for centuries, with many philosophers applying their minds to trying to find a balance between the two.

Speaking on the topic, ‘Balancing Freedom of Speech Against National Interest,’ Dr Abah said: “The question for us is: Is it possible to guard against fake news and hate speech, particularly on social media, without enacting additional legislation? I believe that we can…”

The technocrat went on to offer some recommendations “for us to debate in this session.”

News

AMMC Partners NUJ-FCT On Infrastructural Development

Published

1 hour ago

May 14, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) has expressed commitment to partner the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council on infrastructural development in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

AMMC Coordinator, Chief Felix Amechi Obuah gave the assurance when he received the Chairman of NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, and her executive team on a courtesy visit on Tuesday in Abuja.

Chief Obuah who welcomed members of the NUJ FCT, and commended the media plays a very vital role in the growth and development of any organisation.

He also used the occasion to congratulate the first female chairperson of the union after forty one years of its existence and prays for a successful tenure

Obuah expressed his readiness to collaborate with the council having recognised the vital role the media plays in informing the public on activities of AMMC which is helping the agency to ensure full compliance with the FCT master plan.

He said: “I welcome you and your team to our corporate office today. I have listened to you and I just have to say that, I am indeed very happy to partner with the NUJ FCT. We need to partner together to be able to achieve our core and corporate mandate – and in partnering together, we support each other and grow together and educate the public, so as to attain infrastructural development in the FCT in line with the master plan of the nation’s capital city”.

He also expressed willingness to support the NUJ FCT Council, but explained that current financial constraints make it difficult to make any immediate commitment but hopes to accommodate the union’s needs in the next budget.

“Even though I am a bit handicapped to make any promises because of budgetary constraints, but in the subsequent budget, I assure you that whatever we can do to help your dream come true for NUJ and your members, the agency will do everything humanly possible to contribute their quota to the growth of the union in line with the FCT master plan

“You can write my office on what you feel we can do officially. I will also present it in the next budget and I will go to my superior, the Honourable Minister of FCT, and say these people visited me and came with a very solid, verified programme—how do we assist? Because whatever we are doing, with the media, the public would not know and be able to key into it”, he added.

Earlier, Chairperson of the NUJ FCT Ms Ike, thanked Chief Obuah for receiving her team and commended the AMMC Coordinator for the effective management and coordination of municipal services as well as infrastructural development in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

She used the occasion to commend his support for workers welfare which earned him the employee’s advocate award of the year award

She said “ I must commend your leadership efforts in ensuring proper maintenance and sustainable management of the city’s infrastructure, utilities, and services”

She highlighted major infrastructural challenges currently facing the NUJ FCT Council and requested support to improve their facilities such as the completion of the Pentagon building, and a hall that cannot house more than 2, 000 journalists during her monthly congress.

She also made a strong case for the NUJ FCT “Journalists’ Village”, which would offer journalists affordable housing and a suitable environment to carry out their work.

She said, “On behalf of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Federal Capital Territory Council, I express our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering commitment to the welfare of workers, including media professionals. Your kind gestures and support have not gone unnoticed and have greatly encouraged us in our mission.

“Today, we come with a sincere appeal for your support towards the establishment of a Journalists’ Village here in the FCT. This initiative is vital for providing affordable housing, professional facilities, and a conducive environment that will enhance the welfare and productivity of journalists who play a critical role in our democracy.

“We believe that with the AMMC’s collaboration, we can secure the necessary resources, land, and policy backing to bring this vision to fruition. Such a village will not only improve the living standards of journalists but also serve as a hub for capacity building, relaxation, and professional growth.

“We appreciate your past efforts and hope to count on your continued partnership to make this project a reality, thereby restoring dignity and stability to journalists who tirelessly serve the public interest” she added.

News

UBEC plans new template for basic school fund disbursement

Published

2 hours ago

May 14, 2025

Admin

The Universal Basic Education Commission on Tuesday announced plans to introduce a new template for disbursing counterpart funds under the Universal Basic Education programme.

This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary of the commission, Aisha Garba, during an interactive workshop with State Universal Basic Education Boards in Abuja.

Garba explained that the Federal Government, through UBEC, had recently restructured the delivery of basic education nationwide to align with four strategic pillars aimed at improving access and quality across states and the Federal Capital Territory.

She identified the pillars as expanding access to basic education, especially for rural and underserved populations; enhancing the quality of teaching and learning nationwide; strengthening accountability and the effective use of education financing; and optimising monitoring and institutional systems for quality service delivery.

She said, “The Hope Education Project of the present administration is a performance-for-reward initiative designed to support states that judiciously utilise resources in line with these four pillars.”

She added that the new approach had made it necessary to develop fresh templates that will guide SUBEBs in preparing work plans to access UBE intervention funds under the framework of the Hope Education Project.

Also speaking at the event, UBEC’s Deputy Executive Secretary for General Services, Tunde Ajibulu, described the workshop as timely and essential.

He stressed that the realignment of basic education delivery made the introduction of the new templates crucial.

“We expect you, as implementers of basic education in your respective states, to contribute positively and help develop workable templates,” Ajibulu said.

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Ganduje loses bid to quash $413,000, N1.8bn bribery charges

Published

2 hours ago

May 14, 2025

Admin

A Kano State High Court on Tuesday dismissed an application filed by former Kano State Governor and current National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear a bribery and misappropriation case against him.

The Kano State Government brought 11 counts against Ganduje, his wife Hafsat, son Umar, and five others, alleging bribery totalling $413,000 and misappropriation of N1.38 billion.

The other defendants include Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lasage General Enterprises Limited.

Delivering her ruling, Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu dismissed all preliminary objections raised by the defendants, describing them as incompetent and lacking merit.

She ruled that the charges filed on May 13, 2024, were competent and that the matter should proceed to trial.

The judge further issued a summons to the sixth defendant, Lamash Properties Limited, and adjourned the case to July 30 and 31, 2025, for hearing.

Ganduje, his wife Hafsat, and son Umar, had through their lawyer, Mrs. Lydia Oyewo, filed a preliminary objection dated November 18, 2024, challenging the court’s jurisdiction and seeking to have all charges quashed.

In response, counsel for the state government, Adeola Adedipe (SAN), filed a counter-application dated October 22, 2024, urging the court to dismiss the preliminary objections for lacking merit.

Similarly, counsel for the third and seventh defendants, M.N. Duru, (SAN), submitted a motion on notice dated October 18, 2024, supported by a 14-paragraph affidavit and a written address, asking the court to uphold their application.

Counsel for the fifth defendant, Muhammad Shehu, also filed a motion dated October 18, 2024, and urged the court to grant it with substantial costs against the complainant.

Abubakar Ahmad, representing the sixth defendant, filed a preliminary objection dated September 9, 2024, supported by a nine-paragraph affidavit.

Additionally, counsel for the eighth defendant, Faruk Asekome, filed a notice of preliminary objection dated October 18, 2024, supported by a five-paragraph affidavit and written address, also seeking dismissal of the charges.

Justice Adamu-Aliyu, however, ruled that the objections lacked merit and cleared the way for the trial to proceed.