The Chairman of Delta State Council of the Nigeria Union of journalists, (NUJ), Comrade Michael Ikeogwu, has stated that the high level of insecurity in the country could be traceable to lack of strategic information.
Comrade Ikeogwu calls for the full implementation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act that was passed into law in 2011 to strengthen responsive and accountable governance.
According to Ikeogwu, the principle surrounding the act is laudable but its implementation had thrown some doubt on the sincerity of those who were to make information available for the benefit of the public.
Comrade Ikeogwu stated this when the State Director of National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr. Chris Anyabuine made a courtesy visit to the NUJ temporary Press Center in Asaba, the state capital.
Giving assurance about the implementation of the FOI, Comrade Ikeogwu said, “The full implementation of the act would afford journalists the access to requisite information to educate the public on the policy thrust of government at all levels in the country.”
He also faulted the federal government for not giving proper attention to the act, according to him, “It runs against the grains of proper reasoning for government at the federal level to be claiming to support free access to information while also appearing to gag the citizenry from speaking up their minds on issues bordering on good governance.”
Furthermore, he commended the efforts of the National President of the NUJ, Comrade Chris Isiguzor, for his stand against the Federal Government for its sanction on Channel’s Television, stating that if media outfits in the country were scared from featuring personalities on their platforms because of possible sanctions, the Freedom of Information Act would appear to be cosmetic.
The NUJ boss further shows its desire to strengthen the responsiveness of the act in the state as he expressed the willingness of the State Council to partner with the NOA in its advocacies, most especially the need for the public to get proper education on the FOI Act.
While responding, the NOA Director, Mr. Anyabuine applauded the NUJ boss for its partnership, explaining that it is wise to partner with the union in the state in its zeal to educate the public on the existence of the FOI Act, adding that the union is quite strategic in information dissemination,
Mr. Anyabuine maintains that there is an urgent need for Nigerians to get proper knowledge about the act, adding that it would add values to good governance when properly and fully implemented in the country.
The NOA Director congratulated the council for successfully hosting the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the NUJ in the state and also presented a copy of the FOI Act to Comrade Ikeogwu.
Other members of the union present during the visit were, Comrade Salvation Ogono, Vice Chairman; Comrade Celestine Aforkoba, Internal Auditor; Comrade Emeka Chuwujindu, Ex-Officio 11, and some others.
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