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FOI: A Tool For Citizens Search For Transparency In Governance – Activist

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FOI: A Tool For Citizens Search For Transparency In Governance – Activist

By Elvis Omregie

Activist

A human rights activists and Deputy Executive Director of Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice, (ANEEJ), Comrade Leo Atakpu had described the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) as a tool that helps citizens’ search for transparency, accountability, good governance and democratic participation in Nigeria.

Comrade Atakpu stated this while delivering a paper titled, “Frequently Asked Questions” at an interactive dialogue with members of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), media practitioners and state level officials on the Freedom of Information Act held in Benin City on 29 September, 2022.

 

 

The dialogue which is aimed at developing strategies to increase the level of proactive disclosure of information by government and action towards the domestication of the FOI Act in Edo State, was organised by Gatefield, an Abuja based CSO in collaboration with the African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), under the Strengthening Civic Advocacy and Local Engagement (SCALE) project of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Atakpu disclosed that the FOI Act gives every person a legally enforceable right of access to records, documents and information held by government, government institutions and agencies adding that Nigerians and foreigners legally resident in Nigeria enjoy this right as provided in the law.

 

 

 

According to the Deputy Executive Director of ANEEJ, “the FOI Act gives every person the right to apply for information and records held by government, government institutions and agencies as well as private bodies performing public functions, providing public services or utilizing public funds, subject to certain exceptions.

“Before now, some existing Laws and Regulations made it an offence for civil servants and public officials to give information to members of the public without specific authorization by senior government officials. The provisions of the FOI Act now override such Laws and Regulations and promote openness in Government. It makes no distinction between Nigerian citizens and non-citizens.”

 

 

 

Representative of the Ministry of Youth and Gender Issues, Mr. Victor Asiriuwa, who is a Director in the ministry noted that the FOI Act seeks to bring information closer to the people adding that the disclosure of composition of drugs contained in the accompanying literature in drugs was as a result of such Laws in the western world.

He pointed out that access to information puts nation states on the progressive lane.

 

 

 

“It is because of access to information that the Western World are moving forward. Individually they’re moving forward, the society is moving forward; the state and nations are all moving forward”, Asiriuwa said.

In his presentation, Dr. Anthony Ewere of the University of Benin, pointed out that all private companies executing government contracts are subject to the FOI Act as they’re expending government money adding that individuals and CSOs can request the Bill of Quantities (BOQ) of engineering contracts from such contractors with a view to ascertaining the scope of work and whether or not such scope is covered by the contractor in the execution of the contract.

 

 

 

The dialogue was attended by civil society organisations, journalists and representatives of Edo State Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

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Renewed Hope Ambassadors Shift to Grassroots Mobilisation Ahead of 2027

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Renewed Hope Ambassadors Shift to Grassroots Mobilisation Ahead of 2027

*Renewed Hope Ambassadors Step Into the Next Phase

 

Fresh from the successful APC 2026 National Convention, the Renewed Hope Ambassadors National, Zonal, and State leadership gathered in Abuja over the weekend, for its fourth strategic meeting, setting the tone for nationwide grassroots activation ahead of 2027.

Chaired by Governor Hope Uzodinma (Imo State) the Director General and National Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, alongside Deputy Director-General, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, and Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State as Secretary, the session reinforced one clear direction: One Party. One Message. One Mobilization whilst also laying out a strategic roadmap for the activation of the network across all communities in Nigeria.

Backed by the strength of 31 APC-led states, the Renewed Hope Agenda is taking Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s message of progress and reform to every corner of Nigeria.

From bold economic restructuring to initiatives like NELFUND, the increase in the national minimum wage from ₦30,000 to ₦70,000, and strategic investments in critical sectors, including PNiCGI, the mission remains clear: helping Nigerians understand both the purpose and the progress of the Renewed Hope vision.

This is coordination at scale. This is grassroots engagement with purpose. This is the next phase of Renewed Hope with One Party, One Message, and One Mobilisation framework

#RenewedHopeAmbassadors #APC #WeAreAPC

 

Renewed Hope Ambassadors Shift to Grassroots Mobilisation Ahead of 2027

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Governor Bago Inaugurates APC Digital Media Sub-Committee Ahead of National Convention

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Governor Bago Inaugurates APC Digital Media Sub-Committee Ahead of National Convention.

 

Governor Umaru Bago has inaugurated the Digital Media Sub-Committee for the forthcoming National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), scheduled to hold on March 27 and 28, 2026 in Abuja.

 

Chairing the sub-committee, Governor Bago tasked members with the responsibility of effectively communicating the party’s manifesto to the public.

 

He emphasized the need to leverage social media platforms to highlight the achievements and ongoing efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that communication gaps have posed challenges that must now be decisively addressed.

 

The Co-Chair of the sub-committee, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, echoed the Governor’s position, urging members to project the activities of both the party and the government to a broader audience.

 

He called for a deliberate and coordinated effort to showcase the party’s achievements and policy direction, stressing the importance of shaping a compelling and consistent narrative across all digital platforms.

 

Delivering a presentation to the committee, Otega Ogra, SSA to the President on New Media, who serves as Secretary of the sub-committee, outlined strategic focus areas to guide the team’s operations.

 

His presentation highlighted communication priorities and actionable steps to achieve the committee’s mandate and strengthen the party’s digital engagement.

 

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VP Shettima Set to Lead Delegation to Zamfara as Governor Dauda Lawal Formally Joins APC

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VP Shettima Set to Lead Delegation to Zamfara as Governor Dauda Lawal Formally Joins APC

VP Shettima Set to Lead Delegation to Zamfara as Governor Dauda Lawal Formally Joins APC

 

The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has finalized plans to receive Vice President Kashim Shettima for the formal defection and reception of Governor Dauda Lawal into the ruling party, scheduled to take place on Tuesday.

 

State APC Chairman, Tukur Danfulani Maikatako, disclosed this during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held in Gusau, the state capital. He noted that the Vice President would be joined by the party’s national leadership to mark what he described as a landmark political realignment in the state.

 

Maikatako expressed the party’s excitement over Governor Lawal’s return, recalling that Zamfara had historically been an APC stronghold and that the Governor was previously a bona fide member of the party before his earlier exit.

 

“We all know that Zamfara has long been one of the APC’s stronghold states, where the defected Governor was once a bona fide member. Now that he has decided to return home, having been satisfied that the APC remains his second choice after the one he left for obvious reasons,” Maikatako stated.

 

The Chairman called on all party faithful across the 147 wards in the state’s 14 local government areas to turn out en masse to honour the Vice President’s visit. He emphasized that the event was strategically positioned to bolster the party’s popularity and strengthen its structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

In a strong appeal for unity, Maikatako urged members to set aside all factional tendencies, stressing that the APC remained one political family with shared goals, particularly the ambition to make Zamfara and Nigeria great again.

 

Echoing similar sentiments, a former state APC Chairman, Lawal M. Liman, appealed to members to cascade the message to their wards and local government areas. He reinforced the need for cohesion, noting that the party’s collective strength would be critical to achieving success in future elections.

VP Shettima Set to Lead Delegation to Zamfara as Governor Dauda Lawal Formally Joins APC

All eyes are now on Gusau as the ruling party prepares for a high-profile political gathering expected to further consolidate its influence in Zamfara State.

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