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Tag: Akintunde Rotimi

  • Digital governance, AI central to legislative reporting — Reps Spokesman

    Digital governance, AI central to legislative reporting — Reps Spokesman

    Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Akintunde Rotimi, has said issues of digital governance, data protection, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital rights are now central to democracy, accountability, and the protection of fundamental freedoms in Nigeria.

    The House Spokesman stated this on Monday while delivering the opening address at a one-day capacity building retreat for the House Press Corps and parliamentary media teams at the National Assembly Library, Abuja.

    Rotimi said the legislative environment now operates within complex digital questions that directly affect democratic institutions, economic development, and public trust, stressing that the responsibility of interpreting such issues accurately rests on legislative reporters and parliamentary media professionals.

    According to him, the work of the Press Corps and media teams directly shapes public understanding of Parliament, public confidence in democratic institutions, and the quality of civic engagement in the country.

    He noted that the retreat, organised by the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs with the support of Paradigm Initiative, reflects a deliberate commitment to professionalism, ethics, competence, and institutional coherence in legislative communication.

    “Our vision is to position the Tenth Assembly as The People’s House — a Parliament that is trusted, responsive and results-driven,” Rotimi said, adding that the mission of the committee is to deliver timely, factual and innovative public communication that strengthens institutional credibility.

    The House spokesman said the committee’s work is anchored on the values of transparency, engagement, and accessibility, explaining that transparency demands accuracy and clarity in reporting, engagement requires collaboration between journalists and parliamentary communicators, while accessibility ensures that legislative processes are understandable to citizens.

    Rotimi further said that as the volume of digital-related legislation before the National Assembly increases, the responsibility to report such matters with insight, balance, and technical understanding also grows.

    He explained that the retreat was designed as a professional engagement, featuring sessions on digital rights, the state of digital freedoms in Nigeria, legislative interpretation, and practical simulations.

    He thanked Paradigm Initiative for supporting the retreat and urged participants to engage actively and take full advantage of the training to improve the quality of legislative reporting.

    The Chairman of the House of Representatives Press Corps, Mr. Gboyega Onadiran, said information now travels faster than legislation, with public perception often moving quicker than policy in today’s digital age.

    Read Also: AI generated fake news, misinformation impacting society negatively, says Reps spokesman

    He said journalism and legislative communication no longer operate only through headlines and press statements but within a digital ecosystem shaped by data, algorithms, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and online rights.

    According to him, how these digital issues are understood and explained to the Nigerian public has become increasingly important, as they now influence public trust and democratic engagement.

    Onadiran said the responsibility of the Press Corps goes beyond reporting proceedings of the House, stressing that journalists covering the National Assembly must make parliamentary work understandable, credible, and relevant to citizens.

    “This is a duty we have continued to perform patriotically and ethically, and it can only get better,” he said.

    He described the retreat as timely and necessary, noting that it provides an opportunity to build capacity, strengthen collaboration, and align professional standards as digital governance increasingly shapes Nigeria’s legislative future.

    The Press Corps chairman commended the Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs and House Spokesman, Rep. Akintunde Rotimi, and members of the committee for initiating the retreat and sustaining regular capacity-building engagements.

    He also appreciated Paradigm Initiative Nigeria for its collaboration and support for the programme.

    Onadiran urged participants to engage actively, learn from the sessions, and leave the retreat better equipped to report and communicate legislative issues around digital governance with clarity and responsibility.

  • Reps committed to upholding transparency in governance, says spokesman

    Reps committed to upholding transparency in governance, says spokesman

    Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Akintunde Rotimi, has said that the House was committed to upholding the principles of transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in governance.

    In a goodwill message during the launch of tracks 2023/2024 report on budget performance by some Ministries Department and Agencies of government, Rotimi said the House remain committed to fostering open governance and promoting citizen participation in legislative processes.

    He said: “On behalf of the House of Representatives, I commend BudgIT and the Tracka team for their unwavering commitment to ensuring that government projects go beyond budgetary figures to become tangible interventions that positively impact the lives of Nigerians.

    “The insights presented in this report are invaluable, providing a data-driven foundation for assessing the efficiency of service delivery and the impact of public projects. The statistics shared – tracking over 1,400 projects across 25 states, with a total allocation of ₦282 billion – underscore the importance of civic oversight in promoting government accountability.

    “In the 10th National Assembly, we recognize the significance of collaborative governance, where citizens, civil society, and the private sector play active roles in complementing legislative oversight. Platforms like Tracka serve as crucial tools in bridging the gap between policy intent and real-life impact.

    “This initiative aligns with our Open Governance objectives under our Legislative Agenda, which prioritizes transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance. As representatives of the people, we welcome initiatives that enhance public participation and strengthen institutional accountability.

    “However, while oversight and advocacy are crucial, civil society organizations must embrace a collaborative approach in engaging with the parliament. 

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    “The adversarial dynamics that sometimes characterize interactions between CSOs and government institutions can be counterproductive. We encourage constructive engagement that fosters mutual respect and shared responsibility in driving national development.

    “The theme of the report, “Achieving National Development through Efficient Service Delivery,” resonates deeply with the legislative priorities of the House. Through our various committees, we remain committed to strengthening the budget process, ensuring project execution aligns with appropriated funds, and holding implementing agencies accountable.

    “As we receive the findings and recommendations from this report, I assure you that the House will continue to welcome evidence-based advocacy that enhances governance. We urge Tracka and other civic tech organizations to sustain this effort, as their work contributes immensely to fostering a more transparent and accountable Nigeria.”

  • Ad hoc committee on oil and gas dissolved to enhance effectiveness, says House spokesman

    Ad hoc committee on oil and gas dissolved to enhance effectiveness, says House spokesman

    The House of Representatives has said it dissolved the joint committee probing infractions in the oil and gas sector to ensure efficiency, independence, and effectiveness of the investigation.

    In a statement yesterday in Abuja, House spokesman Akintunde Rotimi said the clarification became necessary because of insinuations in some sections of the media about the action of its leadership.

    The statement reads: “The House of Representatives has observed, with consternation, the speculations in some sections of the media following the dissolution of the Ad Hoc Committee on Oil and Gas by the leadership of the House.

    “It is necessary to clarify that the action by the leadership was to ensure efficacy, independence, and effectiveness of the investigation.

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    “Appallingly, some people went to town with speculations regarding the action of the leadership, with some making allegations of a rift between the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, while others alleged that there was an inducement for the appointment of a committee chairman.

    “The House of Representatives, therefore, wishes to clarify that the House has its internal working mechanisms, which are enabled by Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which provides that ‘Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Senate or the House of Representatives shall have power to regulate its own procedure, including the procedure for summoning and recess of the House.’

    “That the leadership of the House reserves the right to disband/dissolve an ad hoc committee whenever the need arises and that the action taken by the House to dissolve the Ad Hoc Committee on Oil and Gas Investigation did not contravene any rule of the House or any law of the land.”

  • Reps spokesman raises alarm over disinformation targeting lawmakers

    Reps spokesman raises alarm over disinformation targeting lawmakers

    Spokesman of the House of Representatives, Akintunde Rotimi on Friday, June 21, raised an alarm over what he called disinformation targeted at members of the House by mischief makers. 

    He was reacting to a viral video on social media quoting the lawmaker representing Yagba Federal Constituency  of Kogi state, Hon. Leke Abejide as reeling out what is supposed to be his monthly earning as a federal lawmaker. 

    Rotimi said salaries and allowances of legislators, like all out public officers are fixed by the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and asked those interested to contact the commission. 

    It would be recalled that while at plenary on Tuesday June 11, Hon. Abejide raised a point of order, saying his privilege has been breeched by one Adeola Fayehun who spread false information on the social media by his monthly take home as a lawmaker. 

    Abejide, who read out the figures being paraded on the social media by the said Adeola Fayehun said it was the second time she was insighting his constituents against him without concrete fact, asking the leadership of the House to do something about it or he will be forced to personally take legal action. 

    In the original video of the plenary, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen had promised that the leadership of the House will look into the matter. 

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    However, in an edited viral video trending on social media, Abejide allegedly claimed that he earns N2.5m as a basic salary, N5m for accommodation, N7.5m for furniture, N1.2m for newspapers, N621,000 for wardrobe, and N248,000 for recess among others. 

    The House spokesman however said in a statement that the viral video was distorted, saying “a fact check shows that the video was distorted to suit the purpose of fake news purveyors. So what really happened?

    “Rep. Abejide Leke was only raising a point of order on privilege concerning claims by one Adeola Fayehun. In the original video, Rep. Abejide lamented that his privilege had been breached.

    “The lawmaker brought the attention of the House to the social media commentator who made bogus claims about lawmakers’ earnings.

    “Rep. Abejide further lamented that Fayehun, who is based in the United States, has made it a duty to misinform Nigerians, particularly his constituents, about happenings in the National Assembly.

    “The lawmaker said Fayehun has continually instigated the people and urged the House leadership to take decisive action”.

    He said further that “this incident highlights the dangers of disinformation, especially when targeted at parliamentarians. Fake news purveyors can distort facts to mislead the public and create confusion.

    “It is essential for the public to verify information from credible sources before believing or sharing it. Misinformation can undermine trust in democratic institutions and disrupt the legislative process. By being vigilant and discerning, we can combat the spread of fake news and protect the integrity of our democracy.

    “Lawmakers’ earnings, like all public servants are publicly available as set by the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).”

  • Nigeria ranked as one of the most vulnerable country in climate change, says Reps spokesman

    Nigeria ranked as one of the most vulnerable country in climate change, says Reps spokesman

    The chairman of the House of Representatives committee on media and public affairs, Akintunde Rotimi, said that Nigeria now ranked as one of the most vulnerable countries in the area of climate change around the world. 

    Rotimi said this is evident in the several challenges the country faces including flooding, drought, food insecurity, erosion, extreme temperature, and even conflicts due to resource scarcity and struggle. 

    He was delivering a keynote address titled the role of the Nigerian media in reporting environmental and climate induced conflict at a world press freedom day training organised by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development with the support of Konrad Adenauer Shifting in Abuja. 

    He said that “in February, the country experienced an intensive heat wave that left many asking the question: “Did God open hell’s gate and leave us to roast?” But no, the gates of hell were not opened by God, but perhaps, by humans whose activities have made heat waves 10 times more likely in places like Nigeria and other countries around the equator.”

    Drawing a nexus between climate chane and conflict, Rotimi said: “The heat wave is just one of the surface impacts that we feel and experience, but the problem runs deep. In different parts of the country, climate change is exacerbating the root causes of conflict.

    “The constant move of herders southwards in search of greener pastures, the drying up of Lake Chad, the struggle amongst kinsmen in oil producing communities, have all degenerated into tensions, maiming, killing and uncountable fatalities. 

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    “The nexus between climate change and conflicts in Nigeria is established in literature. For example, a 2023 Study showed that the increasing land surface temperature in Nigeria’s Mid-Benue Trough is increasing the fatalities linked to the conflicts between herders and farmers. The nexus is clear. 

    “As the earth gets warmer, its surface gets hotter and drier, leading to desertification which in turn reduces arable land, pasture and water bodies available to farmers, herders, fishermen and other land users. 

    “This makes conflict imminent and corroborates HomerDixon’s theory which postulates that “environmental change is at the forefront of scarcity which alters the society’s socio-political fabric, disrupts production and leads to violent conflict.” 

    “Similarly, flooding which is exacerbated by climate change is one of the most devastating and frequently occurring natural hazards that Nigeria faces. 

    “The 2022 Nigeria floods affected many parts of the country. From the Federal Government Data, the floods displaced over 1.4 million people, killed over 603 people, and injured more than 2,400 people. About 82,035 houses were damaged, and 332,327 hectares of land had also been affected. 

    “While Nigeria typically experiences seasonal flooding, this flood was the worst in the country since the 2012 floods. Climate change has been implicated as the main cause”. 

    He said further that “flooding worsens the humanitarian crisis in Nigeria. It leads to significant internal displacement of people and this increases the risk of violence and social tension in the receiving communities. 

    “It also leads to food crises and insecurity as small holder farmers which make up 80% of Nigeria’s cultivators are most affected. Maybe the temperatures would have been lower, the lands and rivers would not be drier and the floods would not consume us if we preserved most of our fauna. We probably would not have as much conflict too! 

    “According to the Global Forest Watch, Nigeria loses an average of 163,000 hectares of natural forest annually – causing the extinction of distinctive flora such as our symbolic national flower, the Costus Spectabili It is hypothesised that countries with high levels of deforestation are more likely to experience domestic armed conflict due to the aftermaths of drastic land use changes and resource depletion.” 

    On press freedom, he said the House was committed to working with the media to promote the preservation of freedom of expression and the press by reviewing of laws and practices that restrict press freedom and the ability of the media to carry out its constitutional role. 

    He said further that the House will world with the media to enhance good governance practices, transparency and accountability through media chats, public hearings, townhall meetings, etc., amongst others 

    He said the theme for the 2024 World Press Freedom day which is ‘A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis’ alludes to the critical role that journalists play in creating necessary awareness at a time the world is battling some of the worst impacts of climate change.