Abubakar Malami, Dr. Gloria, Mr. Gowon Ichibor, to Attend a 2-Day FOI Desk Officers of Public Institutions Workshop
By: Joshua Adinoyi
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Doctor Abubakar Malami (SAN) is to deliver a keynote address at a 2-Day Workshop for Freedom of Information (FOI) Desk Officers from various Federal public institutions in Abuja, to discuss the establishment of an online FOI Platform to enable them share information, ideas and experiences on the implementation of the FOI Act 2011.
The program, scheduled to take place from 1st to 2nd February 2022, will also have in attendance, the National Coordinator of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in Nigeria, Dr. Gloria Ahmed who doubles as the Director of Special Duties at the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning.
The Head of the FOI Unit, at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr. Gowon Ichibor, is among dignitaries to grace the event.
The workshop, organized by the International Press Centre (IPC) in collaboration with the Media Rights Agenda (MRA) and the FOI Unit of the Federal Ministry of Justice, will have representatives from over 60 public institutions.
The workshop which is funded by the European Union (EU) under component 4b: Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Project is to improve the compliance of the targeted audience with their duties under the FOI Act.
According to the organizations, the workshop is to also ensure more effective implementation of the Act through the creation of an interactive online platform for FOI Desk Officers of Public Institutions to enable them share good practices and learn from each other’s experiences as they oversee implementation by their respective institutions.
Executive Director, IPC, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, explained that “the creation of an online platform, in addition to facilitating shared learning, experience sharing and best practice application in the implementation of the FOI Act, will also provide an opportunity for FOI Desk Officers of public institutions to be updated with the latest developments on freedom of information, and facilitate collaborative resolution of challenges”
Similarly, the Executive Director, Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Mr. Edetaen Ojo, who is also a member of the National Steering Committee (NSC) of the OGP in Nigeria, expressed optimism that the workshop will bring about rapid improvement in the activities of the FOI Desk Officers of Public Institutions.
“We strongly believe that this initiative, which is starting with this workshop, and will be followed by other activities, will lead to significant improvement in the implementation of the FOI Act thus contributing to the fulfillment of Nigeria’s commitments in its OGP National Action Plan regarding improved compliance with the FOI Act”
