Journalists to use FOI Act judiciously-Dabiri

      There are misconceptions that the clamour for the enactment of the Freedom of Information bill started during former president Olusegun Obasanjo democratic regime from 1999 to 2003. To those whom it may concern it began in the General Sani Abacha’s military era of 1993. Due to the fact that his era was a military one, transparency and accountability was not his thing. It was not so obvious that such happened then. In the struggle to win the FOI act, there were powerful and prominent Nigerians from the chambers, Houses of Senate and Representative that came together as one and believed their struggle would yield a new turn on Nigeria media. They worked co-operatively and tirelessly despite so constant dribbles from both the Executive and Legislative for 12years.
      Fortunately on May 28, 2011, president Goodluck Jonathan put a final and happy ending to the struggle that seemed futile at the beginning. ''It is now left Nigerians to put it into practice as it is not meant for the media alone but everyone''. Representative of Ikorodu constituency at the National Assembly, Abike Dabiri Erewa made this statement at the Nigerian Institute Journalism’s student week, she charged Nigerians to take up to their responsibilities because the FOI act is to be practiced by every Nigerian citizen, and will make the media efficient. . According to her, the Act will make every public officer accountable and transparent in whatever duties they carry out. ‘‘When you request for the release of any information from a public officer and you do not get feedback within seven days, you have a right to sue him except for information which cannot be released for security purposes or private life. '
   'You can seek to know what your representative has being doing in the legislative house.'' She went further to identify that, for one to work successfully with the FOI act, records must be electronically stored, information must be accurate, accountable and also attending awareness programmes and campaign about the act. She however indulged both on the job and trained journalists to always be guided by the code of ethics.