NIGERIA: Freedom of Information law passed

  1. Posted on Monday 6 June 2011 - 10:51
    Ayo
    Image of Ayo
    Ayo Ajayi, AfricaNews reporter in Lagos, Nigeria
    President Goodluck Jonathan has signed the Freedom of Information Bill (FoI) 2011 into law, according to a deputy director of information in the Office of the Special Adviser, Justus Abuah. The bill, which was passed by the outgoing National Assembly, was conveyed to the Presidency on Friday, May 27, 2011. President Jonathan assented to it on Saturday, May 28.
    Goodluck Jonathan sworn in
    The FoI law seeks to protect right of access to public information or records kept by government, public institutions or private bodies carrying out public functions for citizens and non-citizens of the country.

    It also seeks to increase availability of information to citizens for them to participate more effectively in the making and administration of laws and policies, and to promote accountability in public affairs.

    “The Freedom of Information Act also seeks to protect serving public officers from any adverse consequences of disclosing certain kinds of official information without authorization, and to establish procedures for the achievement of these purposes.” the statement said.

    Jonathan's signature on the document ended the long journey of the bill which started 11 years ago when it first made its appearance on the floor of the National Assembly.

    Meanwhile, Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Senator Smart Adeyemi, on Tuesday, commended President Jonathan for signing the Freedom of Information (FoI) Bill.

    Adeyemi, a two-time national president of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) said that with the act, the president has commenced his transformation project for the country.

    Also reacting, Nigerian Guild of Editors, said it “received the news of the assent of President to the Freedom of Information bill with gratitude to a president, who has kept his words.”

    The guild, in a statement by its President, Gbenga Adefaye, said “President Jonathan had, during the last Presidential debate, made a public commitment to sign the FoI bill into law once presented to him by the National Assembly as a personal commitment to openness, transparency, accountability and good governance.

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