Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka, Abuja
The Clerk of the House of Representatives, Dr. Yahaya Danzaria, represented the Clerk of the National Assembly at the Annual Delegate Conference of the Association of Hansard/Verbatim Reporters of Nigeria. The conference, held at the National Assembly on Tuesday, brought together parliamentary reporters to discuss best practices and harmonize their work.
Dr. Danzaria highlighted the challenges faced by the National Assembly in parliamentary reporting over the past two years, citing the retirement of experienced reporters. “Most of our veteran reporters were becoming extinct,” he said. “We had to make efforts to borrow some from other institutions to continue our work.”
The Clerk emphasized the importance of harmonizing the work of parliamentary reporters to ensure accuracy and consistency in reporting parliamentary proceedings. He noted that the conference provides a platform for reporters to share knowledge, best practices, and experiences, ultimately enhancing their skills and performance.
Dr. Danzaria also stressed the need for parliamentary reporters to adapt to technology, ensuring that they can capture the essence of parliamentary business accurately and efficiently.
However at an interview, the National President of the Association of Hansard/Verbatim Reporters of Nigeria, Gobina Drisu, emphasized the continued relevance of Hansard reporting in the digital age. He noted that while technology has improved the efficiency of reporting, human reporters are still essential for ensuring accuracy and capturing the nuances of parliamentary proceedings.
Drisu highlighted the challenges facing Hansard Reporters, including inadequate equipment, lack of training, and limited government attention. He called for increased support and resources to enable reporters to perform their duties effectively.
The Executive Secretary of the National Assembly Trust Fund, Hon. Henry Nwawuba, who was represented by Moses Ameh, the Head of Human Resources and Administration delivered a goodwill message at the conference, emphasizing the critical role of Hansard Reporters in parliamentary democracy. He noted that the work of reporters ensures transparency, accountability, and informed governance, and praised their dedication and professionalism.
Adesola Vakporaye, delivered a goodwill message on behalf of the Director, Parliamentary Legislative Advocacy Centre, Barr Clement Okonkwo at the event.
The conference is a vital platform for parliamentary reporters to come together, share knowledge, and discuss best practices. By harmonizing their work, reporters can ensure that parliamentary proceedings are accurately captured and reported, ultimately promoting transparency and accountability in the legislative process.
