FOI Act Guarantees Freedom of Expression — Solutions FM Chair, Adegboyega Adegoke Canvasses For Implementation
By Editor
2 min read
The Chairman of newly commissioned global standard Frequency Modulation, Solutions 93.9FM, Ibadan, Olooye Adegboyega Adegoke has declared that it is high time the Freedom of Information (FOI) be properly put into practice in Nigeria.
Adegoke stated that despite the signing of the Act into law ten years ago, many government agencies, corporate bodies and individuals are still contravening the provisions of the FOI Act that mandate them to disclose relevant information on demand.
The (FOI) Act, which was signed by the administration of Goodluck Jonathan in 2011, grants citizens the legal right to access information, records and documents held by government agencies and related entities.
Adegoke, who is the Bada Balogun Ibadanland made the declaration at the commissioning of Solutions 93.9FM, Aweni House, Oke Ado, Aweni Apartment and Aweni Gardens, Soka area of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
While advising the media that the Act should not be misused to generate stories that betray the greater truth and the trust common man have in them, Adegoke maintained that the access to vital information under the Act must not be abused by some individuals to blackmail government officials, private business entities or individuals as well.
He noted that though it is difficult to completely eradicate corruption in Nigeria but affirmed that if the FOI Act is vigorously implemented in Nigeria, corruption shall be reduced to the barest minimum.
According to Ibadan Chief, “I want to say that the existing version of FOI Act should be allowed to serve its intended purpose by making public records and information available to citizens.
“I want to advise as well that the Act should not be used to abuse the right by accessing vital information to blackmail government institutions, corporate bodies or individuals which is against the lay down law of the Federation.
“While it is difficult to completely eradicate corruption, if the FOI Act is vigorously implemented in Nigeria, we shall reduce corruption to the barest minimum”.
Bada Balogun, who is also the Executive Director Finance and Chief Financial Officer of OES Energy Services and the Founder of Adegboyega Adegoke Resource Centre (AARC) said as a petroleum expert, he decided to diversify into media, tourism and real estate to create job opportunities and boost economy of Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.
