A member of the House of Representatives, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa (AC-Lagos), has blamed those she describes as “selfish individuals” in the National Assembly for the delay in the passage of the Freedom of Information (FOI)Bill.

She said in a lecture delivered at the 2010 Press Week of the Oyo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Ibadan on Monday that such individuals were working against the passage of the law because of their selfish interests.

Dabiri-Erewa, represented by her Personal Assistant, Mr Lekan Sanni, urged the National Assembly to reconsider its stand and work diligently to facilitate the passage of the bill, which she said would strengthen the country’s democracy.

She also said that it was a sad commentary on the country’s national integrity that 11 years of practicing democracy, Nigeria was still searching for how to conduct credible elections.

Dabiri-Erewa commended the media for their relentless efforts at ensuring the survival of democracy by adequately informing the public about happenings in government.

She noted that poor remunerations had made journalists to become vulnerable to “money bag politicians,” and urged practitioners to work in concert to discourage the trend.

The lawmaker appealed to employers of journalists to work out better welfare package for them to enhance their potential in the task of nation-building.

The NUJ National President, Malam Garba Mohammed, had earlier promised that the proposed enhanced salary package for the union was receiving attention from the Federal Government.

He said that if approved, the package would be the bench mark for negotiations with the private employers of journalists in the country.

Mohammed announced that a new insurance policy that would provide adequate coverage for members of the union while in service was being worked out.

He commended the Oyo State chapter of the union for its support, and urged members not to succumb to the intimidation of corrupt politicians who were out to destroy the nation.

Mohammed appealed to journalists to preserve democracy by reporting events accurately for the benefit of the generality of Nigerians.

The Chairman of Oyo State NUJ, Mr Ayoade Solomon, decried the killing of innocent members of the union by hired assassins nationwide.

He said that such trend was not good for the nation’s cherished democracy, and urged security agencies to be more vigilant in the performance of their duties.

Solomon also urged the National Assembly to urgently pass the FOI Bill to reduce corrupt tendencies among Nigerians and enhance the flow of information without hindrance.

He appealed to the state government to assist the union in the provision of essential facilities at the NUJ House in Ibadan.

In his message at the occasion, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Odulana Odugade I, represented by High Chief Emiola Adesina, commended journalists for their efforts at ensuring good governance in the country.

He assured the union of his royal support, and advised journalists to always stay on the path of truth at all times.

Meanwhile, union leaders on Monday urged the National Assembly to pass the Freedom of Information Bill (FOI) without further delay.

The leaders told the newsmen in Lagos that the passage of the bill would ensure a free flow of information and also protect journalists in the country.

Their comment came against the backdrop of a report that 59 journalists were killed across the world between January and June this year.

Mr Wahab Oba, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Lagos State Council, said the passage of the bill would enhance the performance of journalists.

“It will ensure a better performance by journalists and give them access to information,’’ he said.

According to Oba, the non-passage of the bill has further endangered the lives of media professionals and their news sources.

“It is very unfortunate and frightening that many journalists had been killed in the performance of their constitutional duties.

“The incident poses serious danger to the profession as well as the lives of practising journalists in Nigeria,’’ the union leader stressed.

Oba deplored the killing of journalists particularly in Nigeria, saying “it is a bad omen for democracy and the country’s future’’.

He called on media organisations to provide insurance scheme and security for their workers.

Mr Raphael Akinyanju, General Secretary, Nigeria Union of Railway Workers (NUR), reiterated that FOI bill would help with the risks associated with journalists’ job.

He urged the government to ensure an enabling environment for media professionals to practice their trade.

Our correspondent recalls several Nigerian journalists were killed in the last 10 years including Guardian’s Bayo Ohu and Tunde Oladepo and Thisday’s Godwin Agbroko and Abayomi Ogundeji, as well as Omololu Falobi, formerly of Punch Newspaper.

Countries which have the highest figures of journalists killed are Mexico, Pakistan, Russia, Iraq, Nepal, Columbia and The Philippines.