By Linus Aleke, Abuja
The Secretary General of ECOWAS Parliament, Mr. John Asumah, has inaugurated the pioneer substantive executive council of the Association of West African Legislative Correspondents (AWALCO), in Abuja.
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Speaking during the inauguration, the Ghanian born Secretary General, said, the subregional Parliament cannot achieve its objectives without the support of the Media.
While commending the resilient effort of the nascent association in projecting the work of ECOWAS Parliament to the community, Mr. Azumah reiterated his conviction that the Parliament and the media are indispensable partner.
A member of Nigerian delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Awaji-inombek Abiante, tasked the new executive to be focused with the view to deliver on their mandate.
Noting that calm water does not make a good sailor, Hon. Abiante wished the new executive a turbulent tenure that will bring out the best in them.
The former Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico, Amb. Ogbole Amedu Ode charged the parliamentary reporters to deepen the reportage of the Parliament.
Amb. Ode who is also, former Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, charged the association to ensure that members of the community are adequately informed about the activities of ECOWAS Parliament.
The Chief Communication Officer, ECOWAS Parliament, Mrs. Uchenna Duru-Nwaotule, tasked the reporters to put their eyes on the activities of the Parliament.
“You are the tools through which Members of Parliament are held accountable to the community,” she said.
She also charged the new executives council to ensure that members adhere to professional ethics of journalism in carrying out their duties.
Speaking on behalf of the newly inaugurated executive, the President of the association, Mr. Innocent Odo, promised to galvanise members of the association to report the Parliament effectively.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, FCT Council, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche, said that majority of community members are unaware of the activities of the Parliament and other ECOWAS institutions, hence the need to do more by the communication division and the association.
Represented by Secretary of Council, Comrade Ochiaka Ugwu, the Chairman emphasized the need to build the capacity of journalists covering the Parliament to scale up their capacity to report the Parliament effectively.
