By Seyifunmi Odunuga
The Bada Balogun of Ibadanland, Oloye Adegboyega Adegoke, has said now is the time to ensure full implementation of the Freedom of Information Act.
He said this disclosure on Saturday while speaking with journalists in Ibadan, during the commissioning of Solutions 93.9 FM, Aweni Apartment and Aweni Gardens, held at Oke-Ado and Soka area of Ibadan, respectively.
He stated that the FOI Act signed by the administration of Goodluck Jonathan in 2011, grants citizens the legal right to access information, records and documents held by the various arms government and other agencies.
Adegoke insisted that there is a need to implement the act so as to serve its intended purpose by making public records and information available to citizens, noting that it is high time the FOI act is properly put into practice in Nigeria.
He added that despite the signing of the Act into law ten years ago, many government agencies, corporate bodies and individuals are still contravening the provisions of the FOI Act that mandate them to disclose relevant information on demand.
While advising the media that the Act should not be misused to generate stories that betray the greater truth and the trust common man have in them, Adegoke maintained that the access to vital information under the Act must not be abused by some individuals to blackmail government officials, private business entities or individuals as well.
He noted that though it is difficult to completely eradicate corruption in Nigeria but affirmed that if the FOI Act is vigorously implemented in Nigeria, corruption shall be reduced to the barest minimum.
He said, “I want to say that the existing version of FOI Act should be allowed to serve its intended purpose by making public records and information available to citizens.
“I want to advise as well that the Act should not be used to abuse the right by accessing vital information to blackmail government institutions, corporate bodies or individuals which is against the lay down law of the Federation.
“While it is difficult to completely eradicate corruption, if the FOI Act is vigorously implemented in Nigeria, we shall reduce corruption to the barest minimum”.
The Oyo State deputy governor, Mr Rauf Olaniyan, lauded Adegoke on the attainment of the new achievements, stating that the establishment and commissioning of Solutions FM came at the right time as it would be productively useful for both primary and secondary functions of mass media.
He however charged the management and staff of the broadcasting station to adhere strictly to both ethical and legal limitations of the profession while discharging their duty.
While eulogizing the founder, he described Adegoke as a competent and dynamic business and financial expert who has good mastery of techniques on how to manage and grow businesses for profitable sake, adding that his diversification into the media is a clear indication of his brilliance and dynamism that is in tandem with positivity in all engagements.
He then prayed for Adegboyega’s success in his new business engagement and the subsequent ones.
Adegoke who is also the Executive Director Finance and Chief Financial Officer of OES Energy Services and the Founder of Adegboyega Adegoke Resource Centre (AARC), in his own remarks, said as a petroleum expert, he decided to diversify into media, tourism and real estate to create job opportunities and boost the economy of Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.
Dignitaries at the events include the former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rasheed Ladoja who performed the commissioning, Senator Teslim Folarin, Asaju Iyalode Olubadan and wife of Olubadan, Olori Rasheedat Adetunji, Chairman, Ilaji Farms and Sports Resorts, Engr. Dotun Sanusi, Barrister Lowo Obisesan, former SSG in Oyo State, Barrister Sarafadeen Alli, the popular radio presenter, Otunba Kola Olootu, and a host of others.
