Exemptions In Freedom Of Information Act,  A Mockery , Says Communication Expert

A communication expert, Dr. Fassy Adetokunboh Yusuf, has described  exemptions  of important  clauses in the Freedom of Information Act as a “mockery” of the Act.

Dr. Fassy Adetokunboh Yusuf

Chief Yusuf who was a guest speaker at the 2017 Press Week of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Osun state chapter, spoke at NUJ council, Osogbo, on Monday.

Speaking on the theme: Media Effectiveness: Panacea to Nation’s Democratic Challenges, the seasoned Journalist expressed concern over the failure of Journalists to access information despite the FOI signed by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011.

The guest lecturer who modified the topic to read, “Nigeria Polity and the Fourth Estate of the Realm”, asked “if the purpose of the Freedom of Information Act is to guarantee access to information in the custody of public institutions, why then does it contain numerous exemptions?

He listed sections 11, 12, 15, 16, 17 and 19 as six exemptions under the FOI where he said, information applied for, will be refused by the public institution, saying “regrettably, there is no definition of “public interest under the Act.

Yusuf who also opposed to the concentration of power at the centre, stated that the federal government is not practiced as it should in Nigeria.

He specifically challenged journalists to do investigative report and expose where the leader of IPOB, Kanu has been hiding, and also expose the truth of what happened in NNPC between Dr. Ibe Kachukwu and Maikanti Baru.

“The media should investigate and expose whoever is supplying arms for the terrorists. Who are the sponsors of the Nigeria Delta men, avengers among others?

“Maina has vanished, the ugly disclosures by uncoordinated top government officials on Mainagate should further embolden the media to carry out more investigative journalism.

“What is of public interest was an idea of what the treatment had cost the nation, as the nature of the ailment was never ever disclosed. In all, he had spent over 150 days outside Nigeria on different times for medical treatment.

“Somehow, despite the empathy his condition attracted and rightly so, the thrust of the media interest was on the long period of time his treatment took which was considered scandalous, as even the nature of his ailment was deliberately not disclosed.

“While the media should be commended for not giving up on the President’s health status, we are yet to know what went wrong with our president,” he submitted.

Declaring the week event open, the Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Adelani Baderinwa, said his government was committed to the security of Journalists and the people of the state.

Osun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Adelani Baderinwa

“We value you and this is why we always welcome your constructive criticism.

The Royal Father of the event, Olowu of Kuta, Oba Hammed Adekunle Oyelude, urged the journalists to be accurate in their reports, saying “we expect the beat from you.

He said, “though, you are working under precarious situation, don’t relent.

The Chairmen, NUJ council, Mr. Abiodun Olalere and the Correspondents’ Chapel, Prince Hameed Oyegbade, expressed appreciation to individuals who had made the lecture successful.

NUJ Chairman, Comrade Abiodun Olalere