FOIA Act Is Only Written As A Beautiful Law But Not Practised - NUJ Boss

By Gani Salau

Fountain Newsbreaker

The chairman, Nigeria Union Of Journalists (NUJ), Ekiti state, Comrade Rotimi Ojomoyela has stated that the Freedom Of Information Act, 2011 was foisted on Nigerians  based on the drafters' interest.

Ojomoyela stated this today at the NUJ press centre,Oke Bareke, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti state capital while delivering a lecture at the March Reading of the Association Of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Ekiti state chapter.

Speaking on the topic:"Evaluating the application of the Freedom of Information Act and its impact on national development," the NUJ bos said that the intention behind FOIA Act was to guarantee press freedom in Nigeria but the manner of drafting the bill and its subsequent passage and operation  were questionable and selfish.

Ojomoyela bemoaned; "There are laws of libel, slander and other press laws, why the social media law again?

He continued, " We have freedom of expression under democracy. They ask you to give them affidavit before you can extract vital information from government. Look at Agba Jalingo, the Journalist from Cross River, wh  was clamped into detention without trial but was released after six months due to pressure from various quarters for doing what he knows best, investigative journalism.

He cited his own experience when he investigated a pension law for Governors and Deputies in Ekiti state passed in the first regime of Kayode Fayemi that he met brick wall to the extent that he could not come up with comprehensive reports due to the actions of the public servants.

"Public servants are made to swear to oath of secrecy and penal code which means,you can't divulge official information". He asserted.

Ojomoyele who was also the former chairman of correspondence chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalist, Ekiti state posited, "FOIA depends actively on effective, vibrant and independent judiciary which is the last hope of common man".

Various questions bordering on the operations and challenges in the  FOIA were asked but the astute Journalist suggested that everyone should have access to information, civil societies, media organizations and private sectors need to play adequate roles because ,"Democracy depends on informed and well structured society ".

Dignitaries at the March Reading include the state Chairman of ANA ,Dr Sola Balogun ,Vice Chairman, Dr Gbenga Daramola, the secretary, Gani Salau and the Treasurer, Adeolu Ajobiewe

Others at the event are the Financial secretary, Demola Atobaba.Dr Wole Balogun ,Ayodele Abere and Emmanuel Onwusoro.

ANA monthly reading has always been a monthly affairs with ANA members and other dignitaries from various professions gather to read published and unpublished writings and paper presentation on topical issues.