FOI BILL PASSAGE, JONATHAN'S GREATEST LEGACY-TUC

BY VICTOR AHIUMA-YOUNG
LAGOS - TRADE Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, has said the passage of the Freedom of Information, FOI, Bill into law will be the greatest legacy the government of Goodluck Jonathan will  bequeath to Nigerians.

This came as the umbrella body for senior staff associations in the country, called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the President of Court of Appeal to step aside for full scale investigation into the criminal allegation against them.

At the end of its National Executive Council, NEC, meeting in Lagos, leaders of TUC commended members of the House of Representatives for the bold step taken by passing the FoI Bill into law and called on the Senate to follow the same part.

In a communique at the end of the NEC meeting, President-General and Secretary-General, Mr Peter Esele and Chief John Kolawole, respectively, said: 'NEC also notes that the renewed attempt to get the FoI Bill passed by the National Assembly should be supported by all Nigerians as it will give additional impetus to the fight against corruption and promote freedom of expression, including the freedom to hold and receive information without hindrance.

'Freedom of Information is a fundamental right that will strengthen democracy, good governance and the rule of law, as well as empower trade unions, civil society organisations, masses based whistle blowers, human rights defenders, legislators and all Nigerians on how best to demand for answers when things are not working properly.

On the judiciary, the communique noted that 'judiciary all over the world is the bastion of the common man. It provides the common man with the hope that society can be fair to him in time of few and plenty.'