Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to put the Freedom of Information Law to the test by making public findings on the secret handling of the illness of the late President Musa Yar’Adua.
Information relating to Yar’Adua’s illness was kept secret by his family and associates from November 23, 2009 till his death on May 5, 2010.
Speaking at a town hall meeting with the theme Public Purpose: Deeping the FoI Act, organised by the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria in Lagos on Thursday, the renowned playwright also challenged Jonathan to investigate what he described as “the most melodramatic event in Nigeria.”
He, however, advised the citizens not to relax on issues of public interest.
According to him, the findings will reveal those involved in keeping secret Yar’Adua’s health status as well as those who signed the supplementary appropriation bill and whether foreign countries partook in the secrecy.
He said, “It is not enough for a government to rely on the Official Secret Act and not enough for the public to continue to accept that as an excuse. A whole human being was concealed in this country.
“This phantom went to Saudi Arabia and came back in the dead of the night. I am challenging President Goodluck Jonathan and the public to put the Act to the test through making public proceedings of the panel to investigate the most melodramatic event in Nigeria.”
The Canadian Information Commissioner, Ms. Suzanne Legault, noted that the FoI legislation was a key component of a sound and democratic institution.
According to her, Nigeria cannot solve the issue of corruption without an effective FoI Act.
Legault urged the business community, civil society and the media to continue playing key roles in deepening ethos of leadership in the country.
She said, “Freedom of Information and Press Freedom are vital to building strong democratic institutions. But Freedom of Information is not related to media ethics to me.
“There should be a focus on how not to abuse the FoI Act, management of public information and constant evaluation in looking at how it is doing. There is a financial implication to making it work but that is a red herring compared to what it aims to achieve.”
On his part, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, said the state was ready to domesticate the law.
Fashola said it was not necessary to domesticate a Federal Act except an international treaty seeking application at national levels.
He added that in domesticating the law, the states would be looking at how to address certain omissions in it. The Niger State Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, promised to ensure that the law was domesticated in his state. Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the event, Alhaji Isa Funtua, said there was a misconception that the Act belonged to the media.
He insisted that the Act was meant for the public to have access to public information.
Some of the discussants including Prof. Chidi Anslem, Mrs. Ayo Obe, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo, SAN and a representative of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Prof Akper Peter, emphasised the challenges, importance and dynamics of the citizen law.
Apart from lawyers and civil society groups, the event drew media personalities including the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of Punch Nigeria Limited, Mr. Ademola Osinubi, Publisher and Chairman of Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Sam Amuka-Pemu; Chairman, Daar Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi; and the Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief of Guardian Newspapers, Mr. Emeka Izeze.
Others are Publisher of ThisDay Newspapers and NPAN President, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena; Managing Director of The NEWS/P.M NEWS, Mr. Bayo Onanuga; Publisher, Source Magazine, Comfort Obi; and the Managing Director of National Mirror Newspapers, Mr. Steve Ayorinde.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everydayInformation relating to Yar’Adua’s illness was kept secret by his family and associates from November 23, 2009 till his death on May 5, 2010.
Speaking at a town hall meeting with the theme Public Purpose: Deeping the FoI Act, organised by the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria in Lagos on Thursday, the renowned playwright also challenged Jonathan to investigate what he described as “the most melodramatic event in Nigeria.”
He, however, advised the citizens not to relax on issues of public interest.
According to him, the findings will reveal those involved in keeping secret Yar’Adua’s health status as well as those who signed the supplementary appropriation bill and whether foreign countries partook in the secrecy.
He said, “It is not enough for a government to rely on the Official Secret Act and not enough for the public to continue to accept that as an excuse. A whole human being was concealed in this country.
“This phantom went to Saudi Arabia and came back in the dead of the night. I am challenging President Goodluck Jonathan and the public to put the Act to the test through making public proceedings of the panel to investigate the most melodramatic event in Nigeria.”
The Canadian Information Commissioner, Ms. Suzanne Legault, noted that the FoI legislation was a key component of a sound and democratic institution.
According to her, Nigeria cannot solve the issue of corruption without an effective FoI Act.
Legault urged the business community, civil society and the media to continue playing key roles in deepening ethos of leadership in the country.
She said, “Freedom of Information and Press Freedom are vital to building strong democratic institutions. But Freedom of Information is not related to media ethics to me.
“There should be a focus on how not to abuse the FoI Act, management of public information and constant evaluation in looking at how it is doing. There is a financial implication to making it work but that is a red herring compared to what it aims to achieve.”
On his part, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, said the state was ready to domesticate the law.
Fashola said it was not necessary to domesticate a Federal Act except an international treaty seeking application at national levels.
He added that in domesticating the law, the states would be looking at how to address certain omissions in it. The Niger State Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, promised to ensure that the law was domesticated in his state. Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the event, Alhaji Isa Funtua, said there was a misconception that the Act belonged to the media.
He insisted that the Act was meant for the public to have access to public information.
Some of the discussants including Prof. Chidi Anslem, Mrs. Ayo Obe, Mr. Tayo Oyetibo, SAN and a representative of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Prof Akper Peter, emphasised the challenges, importance and dynamics of the citizen law.
Apart from lawyers and civil society groups, the event drew media personalities including the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of Punch Nigeria Limited, Mr. Ademola Osinubi, Publisher and Chairman of Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Sam Amuka-Pemu; Chairman, Daar Communications Plc, Chief Raymond Dokpesi; and the Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief of Guardian Newspapers, Mr. Emeka Izeze.
Others are Publisher of ThisDay Newspapers and NPAN President, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena; Managing Director of The NEWS/P.M NEWS, Mr. Bayo Onanuga; Publisher, Source Magazine, Comfort Obi; and the Managing Director of National Mirror Newspapers, Mr. Steve Ayorinde.
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