The National Youth Service Corps’ Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) Vanguard, Kwara State Chapter, on Friday, embarked on its quarterly Freedom of Information Act sensitisation.
The sensitization is to draw attention to the existence of the act.
According to the corps members, not many knew about the existence of the act.
They said most Nigerians were not aware that such an act existed and that in the ever growing democratic climate of Nigeria, they actually had the right to information from public institutions, organisations and even private establishments that have direct impact on the members of public.
FOI Act was passed by the National Assembly on May 24, 2011, and assented to by President Goodluck Jonathan on May 28, 2011.
The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) supercedes the Official Secrets Act (OSA), originally enacted in 1911, which forbids the unauthorized transmission, obtaining, reproduction, or retention of any classified matter.
The act applies not only to public institutions but also to private organisations providing public services, performing public functions or utilizing public funds.
The underlying philosophy of Freedom of Information Act was that public servants are custodians of a public trust on behalf of a population who have a right to know what they do.
In particular, the FOIA promises to remove the aura of mystery and exclusion with which public servants cloak the ordinary operations of government and public institutions.
It also seeks to change the manner in which public records and information are managed.
The corps members, under the Editorial and Publicity CDS and FOIA Vanguard had the opportunity to hold various conversations with different people from different social classes and walks of life in the state capital.
During the sensitization, it was discovered that very many were not aware of the law.
