IPC, MRA Unveil Online Platform For FOI Desk Officers

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja

International Press Centre (IPC) Lagos in collaboration with Media Rights Agenda (MRA) yesterday unveiled an online platform for Freedom of Information (FOI) desk officers in public institutions.

The 2-day workshop, which attracted participants from over 60 public institutions, was organised by IPC in collaboration with MRA and the FOI Unit of the Federal Ministry of Justice, 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.

Speaking at the event in Abuja, the Executive Director of IPC, Mr Lanre Arogundade said the establishment of an online platform would assist in facilitating shared learning, experience sharing and best practice application in the implementation of the FOI Act.

Arogundade, who was represented by the Programme Manager of IPC, Stella Nwofia stated that the platform would 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.

On his part, the Executive Director of MRA, Mr. Edetaen Ojo was hopeful that the initiative would lead to significant improvement in the implementation of FOI Act in the country.

Ojo, who is also a member of the National Steering Committee (NSC) of the OGP in Nigeria stated that the platform would contribute to the fulfillment of Nigeria’s commitments in its OGP National Action Plan (NAP) in the area of improved compliance with the FOI Act.

Responding, Head of Democracy, Governance and Migration Section, Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Clement Boutillier enjoined Nigerian government to take drastic measures towards strengthening the implementation of the FOI act.

He emphasised the important role of the FOI act in fostering democracy and promoting a culture of dialogue.

Boutillier assured of EU's commitment in supporting the safety and welfare of all individuals that rely on the act in discharging their official responsibilities, adding that the workshop would provide an opportunity for indepth knowledge of the FOI act.

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