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

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5 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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Former President Obasanjo Endorses Turaki’s Faction of PDP

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3 hours ago

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December 13, 2025

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo hosted the national working committee (NWC) of a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun state.

The PDP faction visited the former president on Saturday, and Kabiru Turaki led the delegation.

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Those among the delegation are: Muazu Aliyu, former Niger governor; Jonah Jang, former governor of Plateau; Adolphus Wabara, former senate president, and many more.

Interacting with the delegation, Obasanjo commended the faction’s effort, adding that its members should “soldier on”.

The former president also urged the faction to remain steadfast in instilling discipline in the party, adding that:

“anybody who wants to belong to a political party must adhere strictly to its rules and regulations”.

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2027: Former 44 Local Government Speakers During Ganduje’s Tenure, Malam Takai Endorse Senator Barau as Kano APC Gubernatorial Candidate

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20 hours ago

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December 12, 2025

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The Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, has confirmed that a forum of former local government speakers in Kano State, who served during the tenure of former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, have formally endorsed him as the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 elections.

Senator Barau disclosed this while receiving the delegation, led by Hon. Shuaibu Haruna Gamarya, Chairman of the forum, at his office in the National Assembly, Abuja. He described their visit as a demonstration of unity and commitment to the progress of Kano State.

According to Senator Barau, the delegation, comprising 32 former House Leaders, came with a clear and united message of support. He explained that the group not only declared total backing for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid but also adopted him as the APC gubernatorial candidate for Kano in 2027.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Hon. Shuaibu Haruna Gamarya said the forum had overwhelming confidence in Senator Barau’s leadership. He described him as “a senator for all, who, irrespective of constituency, offers support for the well-being and development of Kano State and its people.” Gamarya added: “You are our gubernatorial candidate and governor come May 29, 2027, Insha Allah.”

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The forum’s Secretary, Hon. Usman Muazu Garin Malam, reaffirmed their grassroots commitment, stating: “We, the house leaders, hereby support President Tinubu’s second-term bid and endorse you as the sole APC gubernatorial candidate. All we need is your support, and we will mobilise the grassroots for you.”

Former Speaker of Tofa LGA, Hon. Shehu Halilu, highlighted Senator Barau’s developmental projects across communities. He said: “The bridge you built in our village is saving lives. Your interventions touch women, men, children, farmers, and teachers everywhere. This is why we want you as the next governor of Kano.”

Halilu subsequently moved a motion for the formal adoption of Senator Barau’s candidature for 2027. The motion was seconded by Hon. Sunusi Abdu, former leader of Garko LGA, who declared: “Anybody that is against you is an enemy of Kano and an enemy of APC. That person is also against President Tinubu.”

Alhaji Salihu Sagir Takai, coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative in Kano, also lent his voice to the endorsement. He urged party members and stakeholders to work together for APC’s victory in the state, saying: “Choosing Senator Barau as Governor is the best decision for Kano, and promoting his candidature is a duty for all lovers of our state.”

In his remarks, Senator Barau expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah and thanked the forum for their courage, unity, and unwavering belief in Kano’s future. He reminded them of the shared responsibility to restore Kano to its rightful place as a centre of commerce, education, industry, good governance, and social progress.

“With dedication, sincerity, and unity of purpose, we will build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Kano,” Senator Barau said, praying for Allah’s guidance and success in the journey ahead.

 

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Kano Bans Unauthorized Hisbah Groups, Outlaws ‘Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi’

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20 hours ago

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December 12, 2025

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The Kano State Government has issued a sweeping executive order banning the formation and operation of any unauthorized Hisbah-like groups, particularly targeting a self-styled body known as the “Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi.

 

The order, titled “Kano State Government (Prohibition of the Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi) Order 2025,” was signed by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and publicly read by the Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, during a press briefing

 

 

He said the executive order draws its authority from Section 5(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which vests executive powers in the state governor, including the responsibility to maintain public order and enforce state laws.

 

The Commissioner said government expressed deep concern over the emergence of individuals and groups who have been “undertaking recruitment, mobilization and organisation of persons into a body described as ‘Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi’, without lawful authority and in contravention of the Laws of Kano State.”

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According to the order, Waiya added, such activities amount to the creation of “parallel, unauthorised enforcement structures within the State,” which the government deems “an unlawful act capable of disturbing the peace” and undermining the statutory functions of the Kano State Hisbah Board.

 

He maintained that the order unequivocally declares that “the formation of Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi is unlawful and it is prohibited from operating or carrying out any activity in the state.”

Reinforcing the exclusive mandate of the Kano State Hisbah Board, the government emphasized that it “shall remain the sole legally recognized institution in the State” for coordinating Hisbah-related functions. Any impersonation of the Board’s authority, uniforms, symbols, or activities is now officially prohibited.

 

He pointed out that the order further directs all relevant security agencies including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to investigate the organisers and sponsors of the outlawed group, halt all related activities, and take lawful measures to prevent any breach of peace.

 

In a stern warning to the public, Commissioner Waiya explained that “participation in, support for, or affiliation with the Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi constitutes violation of the laws of Kano State.” Individuals who have already been recruited or approached for recruitment are urged to “disengage immediately and report to the nearest Security Agencies Division, Hisbah Office or Local Government Authority.”

 

According to him also, violators of the order face prosecution under applicable laws for offences including unlawful assembly, impersonation of lawful authorities, and the establishment of unauthorized enforcement groups. The term “Independent Hisbah Fisabilillahi” is broadly defined to include “any group, unit, committee, movement or body organised for the purpose of performing Hisbah-like enforcement functions outside the statutory Hisbah Board.”

 

“The executive order takes immediate effect and is to be gazetted by the Kano State Government Printer. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf signed the order on December 8, 2025, marking a significant step in the state’s efforts to centralize religious enforcement under lawful authority and prevent the rise of parallel vigilante structures

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