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Why I Signed FOI Act – Jonathan

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Jonathan Rejects Presidential Form Bought By Miyetti Allah

Erstwhile President Goodluck Jonathan has explained why his administration signed the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act in 2011.

Mr Jonathan spoke shortly after being honoured with a Special Recognition Award at the 10th anniversary of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act awards night on Friday in Abuja.

The former president was represented at the event by Ms Ann Iyonu, the Executive Director of Goodluck Jonathan Foundation.

The 10th anniversary of FOI Act in Nigeria is organised by the International Press Centre (IPC), in collaboration with the Media Rights Agenda (MRA) and the European Union (EU).

READ ALSO: To Avoid Crisis, Embrace E-transmission Of Election Results – Jonathan

“I want to commend the organisers of this initiative because access to information is important to the growth of our society considering the times we are in today.

“When citizens are well informed, they will not fall victim to fake news that is spreading in our society and often driven by speculations and falsehood.

“My administration enacted the FOI act on May 28, 2011 to expand media freedom and give people reasonable access to information on the activities of the government for the good of the society.

“I believe that for a society to grow and develop, people should be granted more access to official information.

“We are now in an official age, which means the society will not function well if the people do not have adequate information on how government business is conducted,” he said.

The former president stressed that if the process of governance was not reasonably opened up, some people would generate too much false information that would create problems for the society.

He congratulated and encouraged all the awardees who he said deserved the recognition.

In his welcome address, Lanre Arogundade, Executive Director said the FOI Act, which was signed into law on May 28, 2011, was a vision brought into reality by Mr Jonathan, the former president.

“A decade on, I am happy to stand before you to say tremendous progress has been made, yet there are opportunities for more to be done using the FOI.

READ ALSO: To Avoid Crisis, Embrace E-transmission Of Election Results – Jonathan

“On behalf of the International Press Centre, the Media Rights Agenda and partners of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) therefore, I welcome you all to this celebration of history.”

Mr Arogundade expressed conviction that the 10th anniversary of FOI Act was a milestone worth celebrating.

He said the occasion was also an opportunity to take stock and strategise on improving the implementation and the usage of “this important law in the years to come.”

The FOI Act awards were in four categories – individual, organisation, public institutions and special recognition.

Other recipients of FOI awards include Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, Senator Ayogu Eze, Ms Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Ambassador Jerry Ugokwe, and Abdul Oroh, formerly of CLO.

Some students were also given awards under the Students FOI Essay Competition category.

 

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BREAKING: Abacha’s Ex-chief Of Staff Oladipo Diya Dies

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Diya

Retired Lt.General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya, the former Chief of Staff in General Sani Abacha’s military government, is dead.

His death was confirmed by Prince Oyesinmilola Diya. He said the former military administrator of Ogun State passed on to glory in the early hours of 26th March 2023.

Born on the 3rd of April, 1944, Diya was military Governor of Ogun State after the Buhari-Idiagbon coup of December 31st, 1983.

Diya joined the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna and fought during the Nigerian Civil War.

He later attended the US Army School of Infantry, the Command and Staff College, Jaji (1980–1981) and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.

While serving in the military, Diya studied law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained an LLB degree, and then at the Nigerian Law School, where he was called to bar as Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

He held other top military posts like GOC, 82 Division and finally the Chief of General Staff (military Vice President) to Gen Sani Abacha

The statement read: “On behalf of the entire Diya family home and abroad; we announce the passing on to Glory of our dear Husband,Father, Grandfather,brother, Lt- General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya (Rtd) GCON, LLB, BL, PSC, FSS, mni.

“Our dear Daddy passed onto glory in the early hours of 26th March 2023. Please keep us in your prayers as we mourn his demise in this period. Further announcements will be made public in due course.

“Barrister Prince Oyesinmilola Diya, on behalf of the family.”

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Breaking: Appeal Court Retains Adeleke As Osun Governor

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BREAKING: Adeleke Freezes Osun Accounts , Reverses Appointments After Swearing In As Governor
Governor Adeleke

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has vacated the tribunal judgement that nullified the election of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.

The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of Justices, on Friday held that the appeal Adeleke lodged to challenge his sack by the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, was meritorious.

Aside from setting aside the judgement of the tribunal, the court, in its lead judgement that was delivered by Justice Mohammed Lawal, awarded N500, 000 cost against the All Progressive Congress, APC, and its candidate, Gboyega Oyetola

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BREAKING: PDP Suspends Anyim, Fayose

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Anyim and Fayose

Former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose; former president of the Senate, Pius Anyim; Prof Dennis Ityavyar and Aslam Aliyu were on Thursday suspended from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

The PDP made the suspension on Thursday after an extensive review of the affairs of the party, pursuant to the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).

The PDP also referred the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, to the National Disciplinary Committee over his reported involvement in anti-party activities.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.

“The PDP urges all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our party across the country to remain united and focused at this critical time,” the statement added.

 

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