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Jonathan, NIPC, NUJ, 27 Others Win Awards For Advancing Right To Information

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja

Committed to the implementation of Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, Former President Goodluck Jonathan has been conferred with the 'Special Recognition Award' for his substantial and lasting contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria by signing into law the Freedom of Information Bill on May 28, 2011.

This is coming on the heels of the maiden edition of National Freedom of Information (FOI) Awards ceremony in Abuja over the weekend, organised by International Press Centre (IPC) Lagos in collaboration with Media Rights Agenda (MRA), with the support of European Union through component 4b: Support to Media of the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) Project.

Other awardees include the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr John Kayode Fayemi, who was honoured for his significant contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Ekiti State and Nigeria, being the first governor to adopt a Freedom of Information Law for a State.

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) was also honoured in recognition of its contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria.

Also, the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) was adjudged as the most responsive public institution that adopted innovative and access- friendly practices and procedures to ensure the public's right of access to information in Nigeria

Below is the list of other recipients and their categories of award. 

Essay Competition Category
Obanla Ridwan – Winner, FOI National Essay Competition for students of Mass Communication and Journalism on the theme: “Deepening Democracy: The Impact of FOI Act 10 Years After”. 
Nenritmwa Mohammed –First Runner-up, FOI National Essay Competition for students of Mass Communication and Journalism on the theme: “Deepening Democracy: The Impact of FOI Act 10 Years After”.

FOI Requests (Individual Category)
Atiku Sarki –Having made the highest number of requests for information under the FOI Act between May 29, 2015 and October 31, 2021.
Ibrahim Garba Maryam –  Having made the second highest number of requests for information under the FOI Act between May 29, 2015 and October 31, 2021

FOI Requests (Private Organisation Category) 
Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) –Having made the highest number of requests for information under the FOI Act between May 29, 2015 and October 31, 2021.
International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) –Having made the second highest number of requests for information under the FOI Act between May 29, 2015 and October 31, 2021.

FOI Awards (Public Institution Category)
Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) –Conferred with the 'FOI Best Practice Recognition Award', having been adjudged the most responsive public institution that adopted innovative and access-friendly practices and procedures to ensure the public's right of access to information in Nigeria.
Bureau of Public Service Reforme (BPSR) – Conferred with the FOI Best Practice Recognition Award,, having been adjudged the most responsive public institution that adopted innovative and access -friendly practices and procedures to ensure the public's right of access to information in Nigeria.
National Orientation Agency (NOA) –Conferred with Public Institution Champion for Freedom of Information Award, being the most popularly voted Freedom of Information public institution and for raising awareness about the FOI Act among public institutions and Nigerian citizens.

Special Recognition Category
Mr Maxwell Kadiri – In recognition of your contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria. 
Prof Chidi Odinkalu  – In recognition of your contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria. 
Dr Jibrin Ibrahim – In recognition of your contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria. 
Mr Osaro Odemwingie  – In recognition of your contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria. 
Ms Angela Agoawike  – In recognition of your contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria. 
Dr Sam Amadi  – In recognition of your contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria. 
Mr Tunde Fagbohunlu (SAN)  – In recognition of your contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria. 
Amb Jerry Sonny Igbokwe  – In recognition of your contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria. 
Hon Abike Dabiri- Erewa  – In recognition of your contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria. 
Hon Dimeji Bankole  – In recognition of your contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria. 
Senator Victor Ndoma- Egba (SAN)  – In recognition of your contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria. 
Senator Ayogu Eze  – In recognition of your contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria. 

Stakeholders Category 
Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) –In recognition of your contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria. 
Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) –  In recognition of your contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria. 
Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) –In recognition of your contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria. 
British High Commission – In recognition of your contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria. 
United States Agency for International Development (USAID) – In recognition of your contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria. 
Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI) –In recognition of your contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria. 
European Union (EU) – In recognition of your contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria. 

Special Honours
Dr Goodluck Jonathan –Special Recognition Award for his substantial and lasting contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria by  signing into Law the Freedom of Information Bill on May 28, 2011.
Governor Kayode Fayemi –Special Recognition Award for his signicant contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Ekiti State and Nigeria, being the first governor in Nigeria to adopt a Freedom of Information Law for a State.

In his acceptance speech, Jonathan said that for any society to grow and develop in a sustainable manner, that the people should be granted access to official information, adding that the society would not function properly when the citizens lack adequate information on  government business. 

Represented by the Executive Director of Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Ms Ann Fyonu, he said that his administration enacted the FOI act on May 28th, 2011 in order to expand not only media freedom but give Nigerians reasonable access to information on the activities of government for the benefit of the country.

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