Archivist Ties Successful FoI Regime to Records Mgt

Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau (LASRAB) in line with its mandate to promote records and archives management for human development in Lagos State and the entire country held the third edition of the International Archives Day (IAD) with the theme:  ‘Freedom of Information Act and Implementation Challenges in Nigeria’; the role of archives and archivists at the Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC) Magodo, Lagos.

Delivering a keynote address at the occasion, Prof. Bunmi Elegbeleye of the department of Library, Archival and Information Studies, University of Ibadan posited that freedom of information is as good as the quality of records and other information to which it provides access.

Such rights, he said, are of little use if reliable records are not created in the first place, if they cannot be found when needed or if arrangement for their eventual destruction or transfer to an archives service is inadequate.

According to Elegbeleye, the earliest Freedom of Information Act dates to 1776 was passed in Sweden before the other countries passed the Bill and Nigeria follows suit in 2011. Ten African countries including Nigeria have passed the Freedom of Information Act.

He added that freedom of information will promote transparency and Accountability in governance, reduce corruption, improve service delivery and government functioning, promote access to service and entitlements, political participation, strengthen press freedom and stimulates economic growth.

Jimoh Oluwatosin, head Public Affairs Unit of the Bureau quoted Elegbeleye emphasizing that the minimum standard that the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) should meet to promote and preserve right to information include among other things, maximum disclosure, minimum exceptions, simple, easy and inexpensive access as well as promotion of open government. He also added that disclosure takes precedence, while whistle blower protection and adequate record keeping is an essential part of Freedom of Information Act.

Other highlight of the occasion is the commissioning of the official website of the Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau by Mr. Aderemi Lateef Ibirogba, commissioner for Information and Strategy,  and award of honour to prominent personalities and institution that had contributed immensely and greatly to the development of Archives and records in Lagos State.

Those that got awards are: His Royal Highness, Oba Alapa of Apa Kingdom in Badagry Local Government, the Lagos State House of Assembly for good legislative for development and Ojo Edaetan of the Media Rights Agenda for the defense of media and strong support of the Freedom of Information Act.

Other awardees include: Adekunle Alli, the former member of National Assembly and Alhaji Lateef Femi Okunnu (SAN) who was unavoidably absent at the occasion.

The Important dignitaries at the occasion are,  Segun Olulade, the chairman, House Committee on Information and Security that represented Adeyemi Ikuforiji, speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly; Mrs. Oluranti Odutola, permanent secretary, Ministry of information and strategy; Mrs Folashade Jaji, permanent secretary, Ministry of Establishment, Pension and Training, and Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Information and Orientation, as well as other personalities were also at the event.