Skip to main content

FOI Awareness Campaign Empowers Calabar Community to Demand Transparency

 


On October 23, 2024, the Freedom of Information Community Development Service, FOI CDS, Calabar, took its awareness campaign to the Basin Development Center community today, emphasizing the transformative power of the Freedom of Information Act, FOIA.


"Information is power, and it's time Nigerians reclaim their right to know," declared Ogban Ogban, the FOI Schedule Officer, as he flagged off the sensitization program. "The FOIA is a game-changer in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance."


Ogban emphasized, "Citizens have the right to demand information on public expenditure, policy decisions, and service delivery. No longer will government agencies hide behind secrecy and bureaucracy."


The FOI CDS team engaged the community, providing insights into the FOIA's provisions and benefits. They highlighted how the Act, ensures citizens' access to information of public interest, fosters transparency and accountability in governance, promotes civic participation and inclusive decision-making, and supports anti-corruption efforts.


"The FOIA is not just a law; it's a tool for social change," Ogban stressed. "We urge citizens to utilize this law to hold leaders accountable and demand better services."


Community members expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, pledging to leverage the FOIA to improve their livelihoods.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Engr. Jerome Egbe Visits NSCDC Command for Strategic Partnership on Public Utilities

  The Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State on Public Utilities, Engr. Dr. Jerome Egbe, KSM, today, October 8, 2025, paid a courtesy visit to the Commander of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Cross River Command, Mr. Brown Charles, in Calabar.  The visit centered on establishing a strategic partnership to protect and secure public utilities across the state from vandals and criminal elements. During the meeting, Engr. Egbe emphasized the importance of safeguarding all critical public infrastructure and ensuring close collaboration between the Ministry of Public Utilities and the NSCDC in achieving the Governor’s vision for a sustainable and secure state. He also inspected the state of the Command’s facilities and sympathized with the personnel over the recent rainstorm that destroyed parts of the roofing, leaving the building flooded and disrupting operations. Engr. Egbe conveyed the administration’s sympathy and reiterated Governor Bassey O...

BREAKING NEWS: Youths of Ikot Ansa Nab Vandals Destroying Public Utilities, Hand Over to Authorities for Prosecution

  In a combined effort to curb the rampant vandalism of public utilities in Cross River State, the youth leader of Ikot Ansa, Prince, Victor Otu Iso JR, alongside his community, successfully apprehended criminals involved in the destruction of vital public infrastructure. The vandals were caught red-handed this morning, 13th day of September 2024, as they attempted to steal Amor cables belonging to state transformers at Ekpo Iso. Acting swiftly, the youth leader invited the Special Adviser on Public Utilities, Engr. Dr. Jerome Egbe KSM, and his counterpart on General Duties, Barr. Ekpenyong Akiba, to the scene. The Special Advisers arrived promptly, accompanied by operatives of the Nigerian Police Force from the Federal Division, and took custody of the criminals. The suspects have since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further interrogation and prosecution. While addressing the youths of Ikot Ansa, Engr. Dr. Egbe and Barr. Akiba commended t...

Engr. Egbe Commends Governor Otu for Flag-Off of Subsidized Mini Tractors Distribution

  The Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State on Public Utilities, Engr. Dr. Jerome Egbe, KSM, has commended the Executive Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency, Senator (Apostle) Prince Bassey Edet Otu, for flagging off the distribution of subsidized mini tractors to farmers’ cooperatives in the state.  The event, which took place today, October 10, 2025, at the premises of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development, marks another significant step in the Governor’s agricultural transformation agenda. Engr. Egbe described the initiative as a strategic form of public utility empowerment that will serve as a catalyst for accelerating food production and achieving food sufficiency across the state.  He noted that such interventions demonstrate the Otu-led administration’s commitment to empowering rural farmers, creating employment opportunities, and ensuring food security for all Cross Riverians. He further thanked the Governor for his admini...