Broadcaster cum lawmaker exposes limitations of Fol Act

Ace broadcaster and member representing Ikorodu FederalConstituency at the National Assembly, Hon. Abike Dabiri Erewa has exposed key limitations to the recently passed Freedom of Information Act.

In a lecture on the Importance of Freedom of Information,Fol, Act at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba, Lagos, the formerpresenter of popular NTA Network weekly programme, News Line, disclosed thatthe Fol Act does not give anyone the right to ask question “pertaining to thedefense of the country” as well as those regarded as personal. Hon AbikeErewa   while noting that “anyone who destroysinformation willfully would attract a jail term,” declared that only threestates have adopted the Act.

She attributed the delay in the passage of the Fol Act tothe misconception that “the bill was meant for the media”. While stressing thatevery Nigerian has the right to know how the country spends its resources aswell as how much each political representative is paid, the lawmaker statedthat there are plans to organize seminars for both individuals and journaliststo teach them all “they need to know about the Act” as well as its application.

The Provost of Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Dr.Elizabeth Nkem in an address at the occasion, described Hon. Abike Erewa assomeone who has “made her mark in the media industry”, just as she added thatthe lawmaker is a friend of the institute.

Our Lagos Bureau Chief / Online Editor reports that the maidenstudents’ week of the institute which held Wednesday July 20 at the schoolauditorium saw Hon. Abike Dabiri Erewa receiving an award as fellow of the Institute of Journalism,Ogba, Lagos State.

Fresh Angle gathered that Hon. Abike Erewa has so far sponsoredthe passage of bills such as Nigerian Infant Welfare Bill, Nigerian DisabilityBill, Fol Bill as well as the Nigerian Diaspora Communication Bill.

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