General
Kano, Adamawa to Operationalize, Adopt FOI Act
By Destiny Ugorji
Two Northern Nigerian States, Kano and Adamawa, have expressed their readiness to adopt and operationalize the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 2011.
Kano State Head of Civil Service, Alhaji Mohammad Auwal Na’iya, made the state government’s position known while delivering a goodwill message on Thursday at an FOI Assessment and Awareness joint Roundtable of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Civil Society organisations in the State.
According to him, the Kano state government is in the process of adopting the Freedom of Information Act, with a view to empowering the citizens to participate actively in governance.
“Kano State government is committed to transparency and accountability and is in the process of adopting the Freedom of Information law in the State. The state government has initiated a number of processes to promote transparency, accountability and prudence in governance.
“The Kano State government has agreed to adopt and implement the Freedom of Information Act through the Open Government Partnership (OGP) process which the State has signed unto. The adoption of the FOI Act in the State is being subjected to wide consultation and will go through the legislative process and passed into law”, he disclosed.
Adding his voice, Executive Chairman, Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) Alhaji Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado further highlighted the efforts of the present administration in the state to entrench transparency and accountability.
“The government of Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje in Kano State is doing so much to ensure that governance is transparent. We are interested in the implementation of the FOI Act in Kano State and the government at the highest level in the state is committed to it, since it will promote openness in governance. The State has signed up to the Open Government Partnership, which is a transparency initiative. Access to Information is one of the pillars of the OGP and we are committed to it. The present administration created the Public Complaints and Anti-corruption Commission, among other reformatory initiatives. The present administration is sincere and wants the citizens to participate actively in the business of governance.”
The Roundtable was a 3-day event, organized by the Freedom of Information Coalition, Nigeria (FOICN) and Media Initiative against Injustice, Violence and Corruption (MIIVOC), with support from the European Union, through the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, managed by the British Council.
The event which took place at Tahir Guest Palace Hotel, Kano, had participants drawn from state and non-state actors in the state. The primary objective was to assess the level of awareness and implementation of, and compliance with the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011 in the State.
In his presentations on: Understanding the Freedom of Information Act 2011 and Making Requests for Information Under the Freedom of Information Act, Chairman, Board of Governors, Freedom of Information Coalition, Nigeria, Dr, Walter Duru described the Freedom of Information Act as a veritable tool for the entrenchment of transparency in the state, even as he called on stakeholders to collaborate to ensure its effective implementation.
He commended the Kano State government for committing to FOI implementation, even as he urged Civil Society organisations in the state to take advantage of the development to participate actively in governance, by testing the Act in the state.
Also, in his presentation on: What is Freedom of Information and its importance, Secretary, Board of the Freedom of Information Coalition, Nigeria, Ayode Longe described freedom of Information as the bedrock and foundation of all human rights, urging citizens to participate actively in the drive towards the operationalization of the FOI Act in the state.
Earlier in his presentation, Anti-corruption Programme Manager of the ROLAC programme, Mr. Emmanuel Uche described the Freedom of Information Act as central to every anti-corruption initiative, even as he commended the Kano State government for embracing the Act.
He reiterated the readiness of the ROLAC programme to support further steps that will enhance FOI implementation in the state and beyond.
The roundtable recorded various sessions, comprising presentations, situation assessment through administration of questionnaires, feedback through questions and comments and viewing of a video on how members of a rural Indian community called Rajasthan successfully used the country’s FOI law to hold their elected officials to account for funds that they administered, and the ripple effect it had in the State which entrenched transparency.
Other highlights of the Roundtable are the development of Action Points, outlining next steps, interactive sessions, advocacy visits and a Communique issued at the end of the event. Other important persons at the event are: Anti-corruption programme officer, Pwanakei Dala, head of ROLAC Kano Office, Ibrahim Bello, among others.
Kano is one of the four focal states of the RoLAC programme. The other three are: Adamawa, Lagos and Anambra states.
Similarly, the Adamawa State government has expressed its readiness to operationalize the Freedom of Information Act in the state.
Adamawa state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Bala Sanga disclosed this while delivering a goodwill message during a similar Roundtable for Ministries, Departments and Agencies, as well as Civil Society Organisations in Adamawa state, recently.
He affirmed that the FOI Act was germane to democracy and good governance, even as he described the present Adamawa state government as transparent. He emphasized that government officials serve the people and should therefore be accountable to them.
“The present Adamawa state government is transparent and willing to do things right. We are in total support and willing to operationalize the Freedom of Information Act in the state. Apart from the FOI Act, public officials have a responsibility to be transparent. If public officials have nothing to hide, then they have nothing to fear about an access to information law.”
He further promised to advise the state Executive Council to ensure the operationalization of the Freedom of Information Act in the State, even as he urged the organisers of the event to transmit the Action Points from the meeting to his office for necessary actions.
The next port of call for the FOI Assessment Roundtable is Anambra State, expected to hold in the next two weeks. The FOI Assessment Roundtable is a prelude to further interventions aimed at pursuing the vigorous implementation of the FOI Act, with a view to entrenching transparency in governance, while empowering citizens to take advantage of the Act to hold the government accountable.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, has disclosed that the state government has not restricted the movement of people during the re-introduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
Responding to an enquiry by an X user, Faveo Autos, on Saturday, he said the exercise was not brought back to restrict the movement of residents, noting that arresting anyone during the sanitation was unlawful and not backed by law.
However, he encouraged Lagosians to use the period to keep their surroundings clean.
“What is the fine for movement during environmental [sanitation]?” Mr Wahab was asked by Faveo Autos today.
In his response, the Commissioner said, “For clarity, there is no restriction on movement during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise. Consequently, arresting anyone on the basis of movement during the exercise is unlawful and does not represent the position or policy of the Lagos State Government.
“The monthly environmental sanitation exercise was reintroduced primarily to restore and strengthen the culture of environmental cleanliness across the state.
“The initiative is backed by the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017. However, the law does not provide for any restriction on movement during the exercise.
“Our focus is on encouraging Lagosians to embrace environmental sanitation as a civic responsibility and a shared commitment to maintaining a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos, rather than relying on enforcement measures.”
Life is full of unexpected moments that test our patience, strength, and perspective. Everyone experiences setbacks, disappointments, and periods of uncertainty. While these moments can feel overwhelming, they also provide opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery.
One of the most valuable lessons we learn is that difficult situations rarely last forever. Time, reflection, and a willingness to adapt often help us move beyond even the toughest circumstances. Maintaining a positive outlook and focusing on practical solutions can make a significant difference.
Relationships also play an important role in overcoming hardships. Support from family, friends, or mentors reminds us that we are not alone. At the same time, learning to let go of anger and resentment can free us from emotional burdens that prevent us from moving forward.
The only way out of the labyrinth of suffering is to forgive. It is nothing to die. It is frightful not to live. Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt.
Personal growth is not about avoiding challenges but about responding to them with resilience and wisdom. Every experience, whether positive or negative, contributes to the person we become. By embracing change and practicing gratitude, we can create a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
In the end, moving forward requires courage, forgiveness, and hope. When we choose to focus on what we can control instead of dwelling on the past, we open ourselves to new opportunities and a brighter future.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The establishment of four new army divisions has been approved by President Bola Tinubu, bringing the total to 12.
In a statement on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, it was stated that the President also authorised the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to strengthen national security.
The new divisions created include 5 Division, with the headquarters in Makurdi covering Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States; 9 Division, with the headquarters in Ilorin covering Kwara and Niger States; 10 Division, with the headquarters in Jalingo covering Taraba and Adamawa States; and 83 Division, with the headquarters in Benin City covering Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States.
It was disclosed that the establishment of the new Divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide.
Implementation of the new force structure will be done in two phases. The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5, 9, and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, will be completed by September 2026. The second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further reorganisation, is expected to be completed by December 2026.
The statement said the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to twelve divisions will improve the operational effectiveness of the security agency and strengthen national defence capabilities further.
Before now, the Nigerian Army operated 1 Division, with the headquarters in Kaduna covering Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States; 2 Division, with the headquarters in Ibadan covering Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States; 3 Division, with the headquarters in Jos covering Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States; 6 Division, with the headquarters in Port Harcourt covering Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States; 7 Division, with the headquarters in Maiduguri covering Borno and Yobe States; 8 Division, with the headquarters in Sokoto covering Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States; 81 Division, with the headquarters in Lagos covering Lagos and Ogun States; and 82 Division, with the headquarters in Enugu covering Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States.
Mr Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s determination to continue investing in the Armed Forces, ensuring they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully capable of protecting the nation and guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians.
He lauded the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
