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International Day Of Access to Information:CITAD condemns hoarding by MDA’S

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6 years ago

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The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), a National nongovernmental organization using ICT for development and information sharing to promote transparency and accountability in public and private sector, promote peace and mitigate conflict, foster good governance and societal wellbeing is joining millions of people over the world in celebrating the 2020 International Day for Universal Access to Information with the theme “In times of crisis, constitutional, statutory and/or policy guarantees for public access to information save lives, build trust and help develop sustainable policies”.

In a statement by Ibrahim Nuhu Acting Programmes Coordinator of the centre said each year the World Access to Information day is observed around the world on 28 September.

International  Day Of Peace: CITAD calls for Use of Technology to enhance Peace

The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to compliance of the release of information, as a critical tool for accountability and transparency which are the ingredients for every growth and development.

According to Ibrahim Nuhu the Freedom of Information Act was a product of collaboration between citizens, organised civic actors and government.

It was passed by both chambers of the 6th National Assembly on 24th May 2011 and assented by the then President on 28th May, 2011.

The underlying philosophy of the Act is 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 FOI Act 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 Act builds on an assumption of openness, by placing on those who wish to keep public information away from the people, the onus of justifying why they have to do so.

If fully implemented, the FOI Act will transform quite fundamentally the way in which government conducts business and the perception of the people towards the government.

 

The Freedom of Information Act has two main objectives, namely
Promote accountability
Enable citizens participation in decision making
Both of these cannot be achieved without information.

In particular, decision making is based on having the right information to make an informed contribution to debate. It is important to remember that accountability is at the root of modern representative democracy.

Because of scale and complexity of issues, we cannot all directly take part in decision making and therefore have to surrender this right to our representatives who in turn must render accountability in return.

 

The three dimensions of Accountability; Representation, Resource management and Information flow require exchange of information between the governments and givers of mandate.

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In particular, lack of information makes it difficult to assess the extent to which governments manage resources and determine what the benefits of the people are.

It is this opacity of information that creates the condition for corruption to strive. Information flow is thus a critical condition for transparency and for curtailing corruption in governance.

In accordance with FOI, Public and Private Institutions have the responsibilities to
Capture records and keep information about all its activities, operations and businesses
Keep records by proper organization and maintenance of all information in its custody, and make it available by publishing or otherwise make this information to the public In Nigeria, often government officials are reluctant to provide even the most elementary information at their disposal.

It is very disheartening seeing the behaviour and attitudes of government officials when it comes to prior disclosure and even with the written request of information at their disposal by the citizens. These make it difficult in bringing sanity to the governments’ expenditures when tracking and accountability as well as transparency in governance.

The refusal of the prompt disclosure and request of the information by the government officials is a clear violation of the FOI Act and denial of growth and development.

 

To this end, CITAD strongly condemn the lack of respect of the law and FOI Act by the MDAs.

CITAD has been tracking various projects at national and state levels using the FOI requesting relevant information for the tracking but unfortunately some of the MDAs concerned are refusing us access.

As part of our effort in tracking government uncompleted projects, youth are involved and given prizes by reporting any uncompleted project in their communities, and we ensure publication of such and reporting it to the relevant authorities for action. Here are our recommendations:

All MDAs should secure and update their websites and ensure functionality at all times
Proactive Disclosure of real and relevant information or records must be made available always

Total compliance to the citizens requests must be emphasized by the authorities and legal sector should facilitate the sanctions and punishment in case of failure .

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) should plan to create pressure on the agency in case it fails to provide the information within the stipulated time and prepare to share the request with media organizations, other groups who may have interest in the information and relevant communities who are affected by what the information tells.

 

This is important because failure to provide the information means you can challenge that in a court of law.

 

Adopting a comprehensive FOI Act is a major step towards entrenching an open government, one in which Nigerians can have an active voice in the process of governance and policy decisions. This can only happen with full and effective implementation of the law. The success of the Freedom of Information Act is dependent on a partnership between the government, the media, civil society and the private sector.

The general populace would need to be less resistance to openness as continued resistance would severely impede the effectiveness of the law. Opening up government would greatly enhance the lives of Nigerians and can only bring about positive changes. Transparency in government would streamline government processes, improve bureaucratic efficiency, reduce corruption and support economic growth and foreign investments.

So, we are using this day to call on government officials, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), individuals, Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to partner one another in ensuring ease flow of information for progress, growth and development.

 

CITAD wants to end this statement by enjoining people of Nigeria to be tracking all government projects and report any deviation to the authority concern so that we strengthen access to health, education and justice, and can contribute towards reduced inequalities.

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Shamaki Congratulates Yari on Appointment as Tinubu’s Campaign DG

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20 hours ago

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August 22, 2026

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A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Shamakin Marafan Sokoto has congratulated Senator Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar on his appointment as Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election.

Shamaki described Yari’s appointment as well deserved, saying his wealth of political experience, leadership qualities and proven track record contributed significantly to his emergence for the important position.

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He said Yari’s experience would play a key role in mobilising support and coordinating the APC’s campaign efforts towards ensuring the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the party in the 2027 presidential election.

According to him, the appointment reflects the confidence the APC leadership has in Yari’s capacity to deliver, particularly given his years of experience in politics and governance.

Shamaki expressed optimism that Yari would bring his vast political network and organisational skills

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Call Me Chairman, Not Tony!’: Elumelu’s Blunt Correction of Trainee Splits Internet as Old Video Sparks Double Standard Fury

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1 day ago

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August 22, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

A seemingly brief exchange between United Bank for Africa (UBA) Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, and a female graduate trainee has erupted into a nationwide conversation about cultural values, corporate etiquette, and the politics of address, after a video of the interaction went viral on social media.

The incident occurred on Thursday, August 20, 2026, during an interactive session at the graduation ceremony for UBA’s Graduate Management Accelerated Programme (GMAP) in Lagos. In the now-viral clip, the trainee began her question by greeting the billionaire businessman with a casual, “Good morning, Tony.”

Mr. Elumelu, who was serving as a mentor at the event, promptly and firmly corrected her. According to multiple reports, he told her: “No, you won’t call me Tony. You call me Mr. Elumelu, or TOE, or Chairman.” He further justified his stance, explaining that he does not subscribe to what he termed the casual, Western-style familiarity in professional settings. “I don’t subscribe to that kind of Oyinbo life, okay!” he added.

The exchange has since polarized the Nigerian public, sparking a fierce debate on social media.

One faction of netizens has rallied behind Mr. Elumelu, arguing that the trainee’s address was a clear sign of disrespect, given his status as the chairman of a major financial institution and his seniority in age. Commentators argued that in a formal setting, the use of a title is a basic sign of respect. One social media user remarked, “Common sense should make you understand that at that moment, you are not talking to your friend, but what he is, a chairman or boss, or at least an adult that is obviously older than you.”

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Conversely, a second group has come to the trainee’s defense. They argue that modern corporate culture, even within Nigerian banks, often encourages a first-name basis to foster a more egalitarian and open work environment. A former UBA staff member, Innocent Istifanus Moses, confirmed that GMAP graduates are typically taught to address colleagues, including senior executives, by their first names. In his view, the trainee’s mistake was not irredeemable, and he advised her to issue a brief, sincere apology. “Mistake–briefly acknowledge–correct it– move on confidently,” wrote one observer.

Accusations of Double Standard Emerge

The debate took a sharper turn when an old video resurfaced online, showing Mr. Elumelu in a 2022 interview with Chisom Obi-Okoye, an MBA student at Stanford Graduate School of Business in the United States. In that footage, the student interviewer addressed him as “Hi Tony” multiple times without any objection or correction from the businessman.

This discovery has led to widespread accusations of a double standard. Critics argue that Mr. Elumelu is willing to accept the casual, “Oyinbo” culture he decried when it suits him in an international setting but enforces a rigid traditional hierarchy at home. One Facebook user, Awuzie Frankline, questioned the inconsistency, stating, “Respect should be consistent not dependent on someone’s status, location or social class.”

Defense: ‘When in Rome, Behave Like The Romans’

In defense of the UBA Chairman, supporters have argued that there is no contradiction, as the two situations occurred in vastly different cultural contexts. They contend that Mr. Elumelu was simply adapting to the norms of his environment—behaving like the Romans while in Rome, as it were. In a formal corporate setting in Nigeria, they argue, it is appropriate to demand the traditional respect that is due to one’s elders and superiors. As one commentator put it, the issue is about “the need to adjust to culture and nuance as they come.”

Beyond the immediate controversy, the incident has opened a wider conversation about generational differences, the clash between traditional African values and Western corporate norms, and the importance of navigating social cues in professional environments.

Jide Akintunde, a social commentator, expressed surprise at Mr. Elumelu’s objection, noting that his first name has been central to his public and industry branding for years. He suggested that the public correction, while perhaps justified, could have been handled privately to avoid humiliating the young trainee.

As of Friday, the young woman at the center of the storm has not made a public statement. The video, however, continues to trend, serving as a potent reminder of the intricate and often unspoken rules that govern professional and social interactions in Nigeria.

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President Tinubu Suspends Three Perm Secs as ICPC Uncovers Another Fake Agency in SGF Office

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1 day ago

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August 22, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate arrest of George Nwabueze over the alleged operation of a fake government agency within the premises of the office of the secretary to the government of the federation (OSGF).

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The president also ordered the immediate suspension of three permanent secretaries following fresh findings by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in its investigation into alleged fake government agencies and weaknesses in public service processes.

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