Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami has bagged an award for public service innovation and digital opportunities in the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is among invited guests to witness the award ceremony organised by FOI COUNSEL, a non-profit organization working to promote awareness of human rights and improve access to public records through advocacy, research and litigation.
The organization will also holds its maiden public lecture with the theme “Public Interest in Public Service” during the ceremony scheduled for March 25, 2020 at the Radio House, Abuja.
Two other individuals and two organizations will be awarded in the event. They include; MEDIA TRUST LIMITED (DAILY TRUST) for investigative & data driven reports, JACK-RICH TEIN JR for philanthropist support with wide reach, HON. JUSTICE A.M. LIMAN for improving the jurisprudence of FOIA in Nigeria, OPEN SOCIETY JUSTICE INITIATIVE (OSJI) for financial and technical assistance to open government work in Africa.
The public lecture will be delivered by AMB. (DR) Martin Uhomoivbi, OFR (Dan Majen Koko) former Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In the event a 350 page book published by the organization titled “Freedom of Information: Law, Practice and Procedure” to be reviewed by Prof. Chidi Odinkalu.
According to the Organizers defending the interest of the public in public service starts with identifying who the stakeholders are which are service givers and the service users and their various responsibility which will be estrayed in the event.
The chairman of the occasion is Maj. Gen. SZ. UBA (Rtd) former Commandant, Nigerian Army peacekeeping Centre and the father of the ceremony is HRH. Hon. Justice Sidi Bage, JSC, Rtd the Emir of Lafia. Guests of Honour include Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan the head of service of the federation, Hon. Justice MB Dongban Mensen and Hon. Justice JT Tsoho, President of the Court of Appeal and Chief Judge of the Federal High Court respectively.
Some foreign dignitaries expected at the event include Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Head of DFID Nigeria, European Union Ambassador in Nigeria & ECOWAS, High Commission of South Africa to Nigeria, Ghana High Commission and Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme, Nigeria.