The IFJ Supports a New Publication on Freedom of Information in Nigeria

Statement from the International Press Centre, Lagos

The International Press Center (IPC) Lagos has just published a 140-page book on FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) and Civil Society.

The content is based mainly on the proceedings of five round tables/public hearings on the FOIA and Civil Society held by the IPC with the support of its Media-for-Democracy in Nigeria (MFD) partners – Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Independent Journalism Center (IJC) and Journalists for Democratic Rights (JODER) - in Benin, Ibadan, Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Abuja between December 2001 and June 2002. The publication of the book has been made possible by LO/TCO, Sweden and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Brussels, Belgium.

IPC hopes the book will help the efforts of the FOI coalition led by the MRA to promote better understanding and greater awareness on the imperative of an FOI law in Nigeria and how it would have a positive impact in the quest for accountability, transparency, good, responsible and responsive governance, sustainable development, democratic development, popular participation in governance etc.

The book is divided into seven chapters and among the contributors are: Ray Ekpu, President Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria, NPAN; Festus Iyayi, University of Benin; Nnimmo Bassey, Environmetal Rights Action, ERA; Christopher Fajemifo, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR; Bisi Amagada (Mrs), Fountain Counselling Services, FOCOS; and Ademola Popoola, Ph.D Obafemi Awolowo University.

Others include: Sheu Sani, Civil Rights Congress; Mashood Erubami, Campaign for Democracy, CD; Nimi-Walson Jack, Center for Responsive Politics; Abubakar Muazu University of Maiduguri; Ehi Uwaifoh,Legal practitioner, Abuja and Oby Nwankwo (Mrs), CIRDDOC. Bill Wyatt, National Conference of State Legislatures, US, Tive Denedo, MRA and Lanre Arogundade, IPC are also contributors.

Limited copies of the book are available in the offices of IPC and MRA in Lagos. Some copies can be issued from the IFJ offices in Brussels.

Lanre Arogundade
IPC, Lagos


For more information:

Lanre Arogundade
Coordinator, International Press Center (IPC)/Reporter VOA
42, Ijaye road, Caterpillar bus-stop, Ogba
P.O. Box 15916, Ikeja
Lagos-Nigeria
Tel: 234-8023186845 (m)
Tel/Fax: 234-1-4925568, 234-1-8112422
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
URL: International Press Centre Nigeria