FOIA: Mrs. Catherine OtemuyiwaEnlightens NYSC Corps Members on their Rights
myschoolnews 
Mrs. Catherine Otemuyiwa, Assistant Chief Public Relations Officer, NYSC Osun State, has educated the 2022 Batch C Stream II Corps Members on their civil rights as provided for in the 2011 Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA).
She gave the education on Monday during her lecture on the Freedom Of Information Act 2011 at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Ede. She enlightened the Corps Members on the origin, objectives, and importance of the FOIA.
The Corps Members learnt that the FOIA is an act that makes public records available and grants citizens access to the records. The Act was signed into law in 2011 under Goodluck Jonathan's Government with accountability as its driving force.
Otemuyiwa gave a summary of the objectives of FOIA to be; availability, accessibility and protection. She pointed out that the Act mandates government officials to keep, update and maintain records of all activities.
Otemuyiwa stated that FOIA also provides that information should be accessible to all citizens whilst ensuring the protection of whistleblowers.
She charged the Corps Members to be knowledgeable of their rights to information and to be bold when seeking records from government officials, Knowing that it is an exercise of their civil rights.
Speaking to Corps Member, Peninah James about the Freedom of Information Act, she said,
"I like that the objective of the FOIA pushes for citizens' access to official government information. However, I wonder if the ideal of citizens' easy access to information meets the day-to-day reality in Nigeria.
She also enlightened them on the FOIA Vanguard CDS Group, its eligibility and mandate.
