The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has urged journalists in Nigeria, including the Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN), to work alongside the government at all levels to help build the South East zone and the country as a whole. The Deputy Speaker believes that journalists, as watchdogs of society, can help point people in the right direction by presenting Nigeria positively to the world.

During a recent visit from OMPAN members to his office in Umuahia, the Deputy Speaker emphasized the important role that media practitioners play in the development of any nation. He invited OMPAN members and other journalists in Nigeria to join forces with him to promote Abia State, the South East zone and Nigeria positively to the world.

The Deputy Speaker also called on journalists to hold political leaders accountable through investigative journalism and well-researched information, advising them to avoid making hasty conclusions that can lead to the underdevelopment of the country. He urged journalists to learn how to use their jobs appropriately, to criticize constructively, and to use their work to build the nation.

The Deputy Speaker emphasized the importance of investigative journalism and research over the publication of hasty conclusions that may temporarily result in incentives but ultimately lead to a lack of credibility. He encouraged journalists to work with him to promote positive messages about the South East and Nigeria. He also cautioned against the focus on negative news, which can scare away investors and cause panic among the public.

The Deputy Speaker also called on journalists to play a role in promoting peace in the South East. He acknowledged that the pursuit of peace, security and unity requires non-kinetic approaches and healing of the hearts, urging journalists to be advocates of peace in the South East and join the Peace in the South East Project (PISE-P) to lobby for the South East Development Bill, which will use federal government funding to rebuild the South East and the damage caused by the war.

Finally, the Deputy Speaker promised to support and partner with OMPAN and encouraged members to upgrade their knowledge of the new media space, which is becoming increasingly competitive, especially with the use of Artificial Intelligence.

The Chairman of OMPAN and leader of the delegation, Chief Promise Uzoma Okoro, thanked the Deputy Speaker for the audience given to the association and expressed appreciation for his promise to partner with the Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria.