If we believe that in a democracy that power lies with the people and that information is power, then we need to provide information to the people. The way to give the people information is by the passage of the FOI (Free of Information Bill) into law. It is one of the keys to transparency and hence good governance.

We all need to support Mr. President and Senate President in making this dream come through. As was reported in Daily Independent , Mr. President is willing to sign this important law.” We believe that the FOI Bill is one of those laws that helps ensure that other laws are followed. It is "The Gift that Keeps on Giving". It will give Nigeria a well informed and powerful electorate. The impact is so great, think of the possibility of having every citizen helping to monitor the government and private sector as they implement projects planned to make Nigeria a “Power House.” Finally, my Aunt in the village will be able to find out how the money for building the school was spent and if there is any money to dig water well.

We definitely agree with Senate President that the passage of the bill should not serve as an instrument for the media to expose certain security implications of the nation to the outside world. In the United States of America for example it is the courts (Supreme Courts) that helps protect the country from the press releasing security information the would hurt the nation.

We are calling on all Editors, Publishers, Writers, Civic Society, Labour Unions, Political Parties and Fellow Citizens to start a Vigil until this bill becomes law. The vigil could take different forms:

1. Rallies to support the bill.

2. Symbolic Candle Light:

   1. On a Billboard in Abuja

   2. In Newspapers

   3. Online website

   4. Radio and TV announcement

3. Send letter (s) to the following, asking help in getting the bill signed.

   1. Family

   2. Friends

   3. Acquaintances

   4. Elected officials

   5. Spiritual leaders

   6. Traditional leaders

   7. Organizations

   8. All News Media (Newspapers, Radio, TV, online forums and Blogs)

Background

The FOI bill HB 22 in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 91 Lagos – 8th December, 1999 Vol. 86 Government Notice No. 200

“A Bill for an Act to make Public Records and Information more freely available, Provide for Public Access to Public Records and Information, Protect Public Records and Information to the Extent consistent with the Public Interest and the Protection of Personal Privacy, Protect Serving Public Officers from Adverse consequences for Disclosing certain kinds of Official Information without Authorization and Establish Procedures for the Achievement of those purposes; and Related Purposes hereof”.¹

This bill has had a long road. The Nigerian House of Representatives and Senate both passed the Bill in August 2004 and November 2006 respectively. After which the bill got lost between the assembly and the Presidency. On July 23 “Senator Smart Adeyemi (PDP Kogi West), one of the proponents of the bill, confirmed Mark’s directive to Daily Independent at the weekend. His words: "The Senate President did confirm that he has directed the Clerk of the National Assembly to present a copy of the FOI Bill to President Yar’Adua for assent”². As I write this article there is new and I quote “At its plenary sitting yesterday, the new FOIB sponsored by Hon. Abike Dabiri (AC-Lagos) and four others passed through the first reading.” ³

So compatriots, it is time to push on again, hopefully for the last time.

The greatest thanks goes to all the compatriots and international friends that have fought hard and long to get this bill to where it is today. Here are a few of them.⁴ Media Rights Agenda, International Human rights Law Group, International Press Center, Social Advocacy Organisation, Centre for Free Speech, Journalists for Democratic Rights (JORDER), Independent Journalism Centre, Gender and Development Action, Civil Liberties Organisation, HURILAWS, Human Rights Monitor, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Civil Rights Congress, Integrity, Women In Nigeria (WIN), Zero - Corruption Coalition (ZCC), Transparency In Nigeria, Community Action for Popular Participation, Midel Communications, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Constitutional Watch, Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, IHRHL, Legal Defence and Assistance Project, Environmental Rights Foundation (ERF), The League of Democratic Women (LEADS NIGERIA), Female Leadership Forum (The Amazon Arts International), Women Environment Programme, WEP, Amnesty International Nigeria, Centre for Law Enforcement Education, Concerned Professionals, YCAT-Nigeria, Center for Responsive Politics, Democracy and Governance Promotion Initiative for West Africa (DAGWA), The Family Care and Resource Projects Network, Centre for Development, Constitutionalism and Peace Advocacy, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), National Association of Democratic Lawyers, (NADL), League for Human Rights, Public Enlightenment Projects (PEP), Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), Centre for Women Studies and Intervention, Thinking Fellows, Gender and Development Initiatives (GDI), Centre for Public Opinion and Media Studies, Change Managers International Network,Women for Development and Leadership (WODEL), Commonwealth of Niger Delta Youths for Peace Condolence COMDELPEACE Arovihna Group Office, Raising Hope for the Women and Child, National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANT), Public and Private Rights Watch, Civil Resource Development and Documentation Centre (CIRDDOC), Project Alert, Global Action for Development, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), Borno Coalition for Democracy and Progress (BOCODEP), Global Concern, Child Life Project, Association of Democratic Youths, Federated Ebonyi Women Association (FEWA), Women Information Network (WINET), Community Partners for Development, Christian Foundation for Social Justice & Equity, Plateau Environmental Coalition, Northern Cross River State Women Association, Women – in- detention Rights Initiative (WIDRI), Women Advocates Research & Documentation Centre (WARDC), Center for Human Rights & Empowerment, Center for Women Youth and Community Action (NACWUCA), Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL), Center for Research and Documentation, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Women's Right To Education Programme, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Human Rights Programme (HRP) Justice, Development And Peace Commission, Centre for Constitutional Governance, Federation of International Women Lawyers (FIDA), Committee For The Defence Of Human Rights (CDHR), Centre for Human Rights & Conflict Resolution, Information Orientation Initiative (IOI), Project Drama Foundation, African Center For Democratic Governance, Anpez Center For Environment & Development, Nigerian Library Association, Journalists Committee for Media Rights and Democracy, Community Development &Welfare Agenda (CODWA), Development Exchange Centre, Niger Delta Professionals for Development (NIPRODEV), Delta Environment Network, Integrated Development Initiative Council, Community Level Environmental Action Network, Civil Society Coalition for Poverty Eradication, Green Movement (Abgremo), Management Systems International/ PROSPECT Nigeria, League for Human Rights, Harrymag Nigeria, Society for Water & Public Health Protection, Center for Social and Corporate Responsibility, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Edo State Chapter, Guidance and Counseling Development Association (GCDA), Centre for Public – Private Coop (CPPC), Guidance & Counseling Development Association (GCDA), Social Economic Right Initiative (SERI), Africa Centre for Geoclassical Economics, Helping Hands Group, Ijaw Council for Human Rights (ICHR). Our Niger Delta, West African NGO Network, African Network for Environment and Economic Justice, Centre for Sustainable Human Economic and Social Development, Nigerian Environmental Study/Action Team (NEST), Rural Foundation for Gender and Development (RUFDEV), Citizens Forum for Constitutional Reform (CFCR), Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Akpabuyo Bakassi Green Movement (AGBREMO), Project Agape (PROAGAPE), Catholic Institute for Development Justice and Peace, CIDJAP, Centre for Human Rights Education, Advancement & Protective Network, The Intellectual Group, We Care Organisation, Citizens Assistance Centre (CITIZENScentre), Community Development Foundation, Community Conservation And Development Initiative, Poverty Eradication Initiative In Africa, Hope & Care Foundation Organisation, Boli Development Association (BOLDA), Country Women Association of Nigeria (COWAN), Dass Women Multi-Purpose Co-operative Union (DWMCU), and Pan African Vision for the Environment (PAVE).

Robot  # 1 | 11.09.2007 08:01

If we believe that in a democracy that ...Read the full article.

nf5kmw1  # 2 | 17.09.2007 02:26

NVS needs to support this effort!!! FOI Bill: Group begins collation of 1m signatures By Kemi Obasola Published: Monday, 17 Sep 2007 A non-governmental organisation, the Freedom of Information Coalition, has begun the process of collating one million signatures in support of the campaign for the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill into law by the National Assembly. A member of the coalition, Mr. Edetaen Ojo, said this on Sunday. He added that the group was worried that the delay in passing the bill into law might undermine democratic and accountable governance. Ojo also said that the development was capable of denying Nigerians the fundamental right to know and participate fully in the government of the country. According to him, the coalition had concluded plans to present a petition to the National Assembly on September 28, which is the International Right to Know Day. He said the petition would include a demand for the immediate passage of the FOI Bill into law before the end of the year. A copy of the petition, which was made available to our correspondent, read ”The right of citizens to access public information underpins a democratic system of government and is a core requirement for good governance. “Indeed it is a human right. “The Freedom of Information Bill has been pending before the National Assembly since 1999. “The Presidency has indicated that President Umaru Yar‘Adua supports the quick passage of this bill. “By passing it into law, each and every member of this Sixth National Assembly will be showing practical support for the President, protecting Nigerians, and making a historic contribution towards democratic consolidation in Nigeria. “Above all, you will also be elevating the public perception and institutional credibility of our National Assembly.” Ojo also said that a dedicated mobile phone line for receiving messages from those who wanted to sign up had also been made available with the number 08073122900. He said, “We are aiming to secure at least one million signatures from Nigerians across the country and in the diaspora in support of this petition.” The Senate unanimously passed the FOI Bill at its plenary session on November 15, 2006. Former Senate President, Senator Ken Nnamani, said shortly after the passage of the bill that he was pleased that the “bill which had been pending for a very long time had now seen the light of day.” But former President Olusegun Obasanjo did not sign the bill into law as he reportedly said that the bill could undermine the security of the country.