The National Assembly will support granting financial independence and autonomy to federal government media, Malam Sani Zorro, Chairman, Ad hoc committee on Media and Public Affairs, House of Representatives, has said.
Zorro represents Gumel/Gagarawa/Maigatari/Sule-Tankakar Constituency of Jigawa in the green chamber.
He made the remark on Monday in Abuja in an interview with State House Correspondents shortly after paying solidarity visit to Mr Femi Adesina, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the President,
The lawmaker and former National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) said the measure was to save federal media outfits from political abuse.
“We are very ready to support through legislation the granting of financial independence and autonomy to federal government media.
“This is very important in other to secure them from the abuse that comes their way especially during the electoral processes.
“We are also ready to help in professionalising these and other organisations and defend the welfare of Journalists,’’ he said.
Zorro expressed concern over non-payment of salaries of some journalists on regular basis and other deprivations faced by journalists.
He called on Nigerians to sink their differences and sentiments and give President Muhammadu Buhari and his government maximum support.
“When I call on Nigerians, I am also calling on disgruntled elements like the insurgents in the North-East otherwise called Boko Haram.
“It is time such disgruntled elements that have taken to arms for whatever reasons in the last six or seven years of our national life to see the transparency and commitment of this administration to right all the wrongs of the past and embrace dialogue.
“This call also extends to the people of the Niger Delta including those who struck recently at a military base.
“Whatever their grouse, it is time to give peace a chance,’’ he said.
The lawmaker said that Buhari had demonstrated the kind of justice he wished to mete to that region which had suffered from all sorts of deprivation.
“And from our interpretation of Mr President’s effort, no effort is too much for the Niger-Delta,’’ he said.
Zorro said Adesina had been his colleague, friend and partner “since our days in the (defunct) Concord stable as well as The Sun Newspapers.
He expressed satisfaction that government communication policy had changed since Adesina assumed office.
He said that the defunct communication agenda from the villa was “ hawkish, warlike and based on threats.
“This has given way to pure explanatory and communication agenda based on persuasion.’’
Zorro said that the professional integrity, simplicity and truth from the villa these days “is heartwarming for actors in the media.’
