It is time to implement FOI Act to serve its purpose – Ibadan chief, Adegoke
An Ibadan chief, Oloye Adegboyega Adegoke, has declared that it is now time to ensure implementation of the Freedom of Information Act signed into law a few years ago.
Adegoke, who is the Bada Balogun of Ibadan land, made this disclosure while speaking in Ibadan on Saturday.
Our correspondent recalls that the FOI Act, which was signed by the administration of Goodluck Jonathan in 2011, grants citizens the legal right to access information, records and documents held by government agencies and other agencies.
It was gathered that the FOI Act has not been fully implemented in most of these agencies.
Adegoke has however declared that there is a need to implement the act, so as to serve its intended purpose by making public records and information available to citizens.
He spoke during the commissioning of a radio, Solutions 93.9 FM held at Oke Ado area of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
Present at the events were Deputy Governor of Oyo state, Engineer Rauf Olaniyan, former Governor of the state, Senator Rasidi Ladoja, Senator Teslim Folarin, Barrister Safaradeen Alli, Chief Lowo Obisesan and immediate past President of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) Chief Yemi Soladoye.
Others are Prince Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye, wife of the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Olori Rasida Adetunji and Chief Dotun Sanusi.
Adegoke while speaking, insisted that it is high time the FOI act is properly put into practice in Nigeria.
Adegoke explained that despite the signing of the Act into law ten years ago, many government agencies, corporate bodies and individuals are still contravening the provisions of the FOI Act that mandate them to disclose relevant information on demand.
While advising the media that the Act should not be misused to generate stories that betray the greater truth and the trust common man have in them, Adegoke maintained that the access to vital information under the Act must not be abused by some individuals to blackmail government officials, private business entities or individuals as well.
He noted that though it is difficult to completely eradicate corruption in Nigeria but affirmed that if the FOI Act is vigorously implemented in Nigeria, corruption shall be reduced to the barest minimum.
“I want to say that the existing version of FOI Act should be allowed to serve its intended purpose by making public records and information available to citizens.
“I want to advise as well that the Act should not be used to abuse the right by accessing vital information to blackmail government institutions, corporate bodies or individuals which is against the lay down law of the Federation.
“While it is difficult to completely eradicate corruption, if the FOI Act is vigorously implemented in Nigeria, we shall reduce corruption to the barest minimum”.
