Freedom of Information: NOA, SERAP Parley Over Transparency In Governance
A non-governmental organization, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) on Thursday 17th July, 2019 held a one day public hearing on capacity building of citizens on the use of Freedom of Information Act as a tool for promoting transparency and accountability in the Education sector in Nigeria. Giving his remarks at the event, the Director, National Orientation Agency (NOA) Lagos Directorate, Mr. Waheed Ishola commended SERAP for been apt with the public hearing. He noted that as a responsible Agency of government, the NOA for easy of understanding, had translated the FOI Acts into the three major Nigerian languages, had equally organized several programmes on accountability targeted towards elected political office holders.
The Director urged groups, individuals and participants at the event to see the FOI Act as their own. It should be used to monitor projects sited in communities, by making sure the works are done to specifications. People should demand for accountability and transparency because it’s the right thing. He further promised to use the Agency’s reach to assist and give necessary support to SERAP by partnering them in their grass-root activities.
In her paper, “Strengthening citizens’ capacity to use the FOI Act to promote Transparency and Accountability in the Education Sector” the keynote speaker, Professor Ayo Atsenuwa, Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Lagos (UNILAG) defines Freedom of Information (FOI) as the right to have information. The right which enables members of the public in any society to access information held by government officials and institutions which is needed for decision-making and also holding the government accountable. She noted that the FOI Act was enacted to promote and develop democratic culture and practice, with the understanding that public officials and institutions are custodians of public trust and have the power to act only on behalf of a population that has a right to know what is done on its behalf and in its name. The Act gives power back to the people as effective watchdog of the affairs of government and its agencies.
Welcoming participants, the Executive Director, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni noted that the primary purpose of the public hearing was to interrogate the FOI Act as it can assist to promote accountability and to learn from the experts how it had been used to obtain judgment in some sectors across the country.
Other speakers at the public hearing were: Mr. Ajao Abayomi Muslim, Asst. Director (Admin & HR), Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board; Mr. Ibrahim Mohammed, Public Relation Officer, Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC); Mr. David Ukagu amongst others.
In attendance were: Members of the Academia, Media, NGOs, Government officials, Institutions and Corporate bodies amongst others.
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