The Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar O. Sulaiman has urged an increase in funding for the National Assembly to better fulfill its constitutional oversight duties. He made this call during a meeting with the FCT Correspondents Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Abuja on a Friday, 27th October, 2023.

Professor Sulaiman expressed his concern about the inadequate budget allocation for oversight tasks, emphasizing that Parliament’s primary functions include legislating, overseeing, and representing, rather than directly providing infrastructure like roads. He stressed the need to enhance the focus on oversight responsibilities, as this is vital for effective implementation.

He further underscored the significance of impartiality and fairness in journalism, highlighting the essential requirement for media professionals to be well-versed in the principles and constitutional obligations of legislators.

On his part, Jide Oyekunle, the Chairman of the Chapel, called for collaboration and cooperation between the Institute and journalists to ensure balanced reporting and the maintenance of institutions’ reputations nationwide. The group also honored the DG by presenting a certificate of participation in the FCT Correspondents Chapel football tournament, expressing their deep gratitude for his support and dedication to enhancing the skills of journalists.