A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mr Mike Igbokwe has advised journalists to work assiduously in ensuring that the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) works.
Speaking last week at a one day seminar on the Impact of The Freedom of Information (FoI) Act 2011 On the Maritime Industry: Issues And Perspective organized by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) in Lagos yesterday Igbokwe who chaired the occasion said: “Until you ensure that information is released by institution, you make the Act useless”
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mr Mike Igbokwe has advised journalists to work assiduously in ensuring that the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) works.
Speaking last week at a one day seminar on the Impact of The Freedom of Information (FoI) Act 2011 On the Maritime Industry: Issues And Perspective organized by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) in Lagos yesterday Igbokwe who chaired the occasion said: “Until you ensure that information is released by institution, you make the Act useless”
He noted that since the Act came into existence no journalist has ever gone to court to complain that he is denied access to information by any corporate body.
By your ethic you must ensure that what you publish is correct, adding that the FoI Act will go a long way in educating the public.
In his own presentation the CEO of Admiralty Ltd Mr Emeka Akabogu said significant impact on maritime sector of FOI may be potential to increase efficiency of agencies in meeting their responsibilities
Akabogu advised that efforts to meet the requirements of the FOI Act will have a positive collateral effect on productivity in the core mandates of the various agencies
‘”Information can only be provided on work which has been done.
In her presentation Mrs. Adeyinka Akanji, Principal Pterrshed Chambers said though there is an increased awareness of the citizenry’s right to information in Nigeria since the FOI was signed into Law, yet there are obstacles to free information access:
According to her fears that FOI will make serving government /Government officials more susceptible to political opponents as it is likely expose weak or poor governance, corrupt actions, failed policies, personal interests, misconducts etc
She said the Culture of Secrecy in Government (owing to our military background) which makes public inquiry alien.
“Official Secret Act in Nigeria (which is prevalent in British colonies have guided Government officials for a long time) precludes a public servant from disclosing classified information without authorisation. Any person found guilty of contravening this law would be liable to a conviction “she said
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