The Newspaper Proprietors‘ Association of Nigeria
has commended the National Assembly for the passage of the Freedom of
Information Bill.
In a statement by its President, Chief Ajibola Ogunshola, NPAN said the passage of the bill by both chambers of the National Assembly on Tuesday marked ”a significant development in the quest for accountability and transparency in public service and, by extension, good governance.”
The statement also said the federal lawmakers deserved praise ”for allowing the wishes of the people to over-ride their personal interest, expressed in their initial reluctance and opposition to passing the bill.”
NPAN particularly commended Senate President, David Mark; Speaker, House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole; Senators Victor Ndoma-Egba and Smart Adeyemi; and Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for their contributions to the passage of the bill.
The organisation called on President Goodluck Jonathan to quickly assent to the bill, so it wiould be regarded as ”the greatest pre-inauguration gift that he can give to Nigeria and Nigerians.
”There can be no better way of proclaiming that, right from the moment that he is sworn-in as president in his own right, a new day has dawned for Nigeria.”
The full text of the statement reads,
”The passage of the Freedom of Information Bill by both Houses of the National Assembly yesterday is a significant development in the quest for accountability and transparency in public service and, by extension, good governance.
”Coming as it did in the final days of this administration, and preparation for the inauguration of another, it is likely to set the tone for a new thinking in government and the entire public service that the old order is set to change.
”Certainly, it is a major impetus to the efforts at combating corruption, one which is likely to empower all the appropriate groups and processes in their monitoring and whistle-blowing responsibilities.
”Both the Senate and the House of representatives deserve our commendation and congratulations for this momentous achievement.
”They will be positively recorded in history for allowing the wishes of the people to over-ride their personal interest, expressed in their initial reluctance and opposition to passing the bill.
”For this particular achievement, special mention must be made of the contributions of the Senate President, David Mark, Senators Ndoma-Egba and Smart Adeyemi; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole and Representative Abike Dabiri-Erewa, among others.
”The civil society groups, especially the Freedom of Information Coalition, the press, and all other advocates of good governance, also, have every cause to celebrate this victory, which was won after a long-drawn struggle.
”On this eve of his inauguration, the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) calls on the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to immediately sign the bill into law. It is the greatest pre-inauguration gift that he can give to Nigeria and Nigerians.
”There can be no better way of proclaiming that, right from the moment that he is sworn-in as president in his own right, a new day has dawned for Nigeria.”
By Our Correspondent Courtesy Of: Punch
In a statement by its President, Chief Ajibola Ogunshola, NPAN said the passage of the bill by both chambers of the National Assembly on Tuesday marked ”a significant development in the quest for accountability and transparency in public service and, by extension, good governance.”
The statement also said the federal lawmakers deserved praise ”for allowing the wishes of the people to over-ride their personal interest, expressed in their initial reluctance and opposition to passing the bill.”
NPAN particularly commended Senate President, David Mark; Speaker, House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole; Senators Victor Ndoma-Egba and Smart Adeyemi; and Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora, Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for their contributions to the passage of the bill.
The organisation called on President Goodluck Jonathan to quickly assent to the bill, so it wiould be regarded as ”the greatest pre-inauguration gift that he can give to Nigeria and Nigerians.
”There can be no better way of proclaiming that, right from the moment that he is sworn-in as president in his own right, a new day has dawned for Nigeria.”
The full text of the statement reads,
”The passage of the Freedom of Information Bill by both Houses of the National Assembly yesterday is a significant development in the quest for accountability and transparency in public service and, by extension, good governance.
”Coming as it did in the final days of this administration, and preparation for the inauguration of another, it is likely to set the tone for a new thinking in government and the entire public service that the old order is set to change.
”Certainly, it is a major impetus to the efforts at combating corruption, one which is likely to empower all the appropriate groups and processes in their monitoring and whistle-blowing responsibilities.
”Both the Senate and the House of representatives deserve our commendation and congratulations for this momentous achievement.
”They will be positively recorded in history for allowing the wishes of the people to over-ride their personal interest, expressed in their initial reluctance and opposition to passing the bill.
”For this particular achievement, special mention must be made of the contributions of the Senate President, David Mark, Senators Ndoma-Egba and Smart Adeyemi; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole and Representative Abike Dabiri-Erewa, among others.
”The civil society groups, especially the Freedom of Information Coalition, the press, and all other advocates of good governance, also, have every cause to celebrate this victory, which was won after a long-drawn struggle.
”On this eve of his inauguration, the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) calls on the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan to immediately sign the bill into law. It is the greatest pre-inauguration gift that he can give to Nigeria and Nigerians.
”There can be no better way of proclaiming that, right from the moment that he is sworn-in as president in his own right, a new day has dawned for Nigeria.”
By Our Correspondent Courtesy Of: Punch
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