NEWS FROM NIGERIA

THE NIGERIA BAR ASSOCIATION ON TUESDAY DESCRIBED THE DELAY IN THE PASSAGE OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION BILL BY THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AS NOT ONLY RETROGRESSIVE BUT UNFORTUNATE.
THE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION, CHIEF OLUWAROTIMI AKEREDOLU, SAID THIS AT THE INAGURAL LECTURE OF THE MEDIA ETHICS ORGANISATION TAGGED 'MEDIA AND THE CHALLENGES IN OF STATEHOOD' IN LAGOS.
THE NON-PASSAGE OF THE BILL INTO LAW SMACKS OF BAD FAITH, IGNORANCE AND COWARDICE,'' SAID AKEREDOLU, WHO WAS REPRESENTED AT THE EVENT BY 1st ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE NBA, MR FRANCIS EKWERE.
HE, HOWEVER, ASSURED NIGERIANS, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN THE MEDIA, THAT THE ASSOCIATION WOULD DO ALL IT COULD TO ENSURE THE BILL'S PASSAGE. NOTHING THAT THE BILL WAS VERY CRUCIAL TO THE MEDIA IN THE DISCHARGE OF IT'S DUTIES, HE REMINDED ITS ANTAGONISTS THAT IT HAD SOME PROVISIONS TO CHECK ABUSES.
ACCORDING TO HIM, SOME SECTIONS OF THE BILL CONTAIN ADEQUATE PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE RIGHT OF REFUSAL TO DISCLOSE CERTAIN INFORMATION OR GRANT ACCESS TO THE REQUIRED INFORMATION.

HOW IS YOUR CITY TODAY, ANY EVENT? ANY NEW INFORMATION ON HOW TO SERVE YOU BETTER BY THE GOVERNMENT? ANY BODY TROUBLING YOU. HOW IS YOUR ENVIRONMENT TODAY AND HOW IS THE WEATHER LOOK LIKE IN YOUR AREA. HOW IS HOUSING AND ACCOMODATION GENERALLY IN YOUR AREA. HOW IS POWER SUPPLY? HOW DOES YOUR ROADS LOOK LIKE AND THE YOUTHS. TELL US HOW YOUR CITY IS AND WE WILL PASS YOUR COMPLAINS TO THE ENTIRE WORLD.