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FG Provides Guidelines For FOI Implementation
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Alhaji Isa Sali, said the government had provided operational guidelines for the effective implementation of the Freedom of Information Act ( FoI) to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
He said this in Abuja last Thursday at a sensitisation workshop for directorate cadre officers on the implementation of the FOI Act.
Sali, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Establishment, Mr Charles Bonad, said that the guidelines were released through the Ministry of Justice.
He added that the guidelines were to be carefully studied and institutionalised in all MDAs.
The head of service noted that a reporting format had been developed and distributed to all MDAs to ensure uniformity
and standardisation in the reporting process.
“It is pertinent to mention that I have directed all MDAs to establish in-house committees on the FoI Act.
“In due course, the focal desk officer of the in-house committees in the MDAs will be sensitised and trained on all aspects of records management and documents for effective implementation of the Act.”
Bello also called for collaboration among the MDAs in the fight against poor service delivery and urged the management of MDAs to internalise the contents of the Act for effective service delivery.
The Chairman, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof . Chidi Odinkalu, warned that “the nation’s security is breached each time official business is transmitted via public domains such as yahoo and Gmail.
“This is because the proprietors of those services are in the U.S.”
Odinkalu described as ironic, a situation where government tagged all information as secret to its citizens but exposed itself via the public domains to the international community.
He called for urgent steps to end official communications on such domains.
The NHRC boss, who presented a paper entitled “Principles for Successful Implementation of FoI Act in Public Service: Lessons Learnt from other Countries”, said continuous use of such domains would expose the country to more dangers.
“The FoI Act should be taken seriously because of the current national crisis and this era of terrorism.”
He also expressed concern about the fact that several government establishments’ website were not integrated into a common portal.
Odinkalu said some of the websites were not usually updated, portraying the country as not serious and backward “in this age of information technology.”
He also called for a national security policy that would articulate short, medium and long term ways to address national issues, saying the last security policy review was done 25 years ago.
“With the new trend in crime and terrorism, Nigeria needs a new policy to address it,” he added.
In a goodwill message, the Special Assistant to Attorney-General of the Federation, Prof . Peter Akpe, said “the FoI Act entrusts to the office of AGF the responsibility of ensuring compliance by MDAs.
“It requires public institutions to submit to the AGF, annual dispositions made by them on the Act in the preceding year.
“I have encouraged compliance and in January, I issued a memorandum advising that all public institutions should submit their reports before the end of February as stipulated by the Act.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene
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