Lagos, Tuesday, June 11, 2013: The Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Mr. Edetaen Ojo, was today honoured by the Lagos State Records and Archives Bureau (LASRAB) in recognition of his crusade for Freedom of Information in Nigeria and around the world.
Mr. Ojo was honoured in Lagos and awarded a glass plaque as part of activities marking the 2013 International Archives Day, which were organized by LASRAB.
The award was jointly presented to Mr. Ojo by the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Lateef Aderemi Ibirogba, and the Director-General of the Lagos State Office of Transformation, Mr. Toba Otusanya.
In a citation read by the Director-General of LASRAB, Mr. Bolaji Uthman, he described Mr. Ojo as a “crusader for Freedom of Information” who has taken it upon himself to fight for the right of everyone to have information.
Mr. Uthman noted that Mr. Ojo’s efforts are aimed at transforming the society, observing that “he towers above everyone else in the struggle for Freedom of Information in Nigeria.”
The Director-General recalled Mr. Ojo’s many years of struggle for the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill in Nigeria, adding that “he continues to fight for the implementation of the Act and journey around the world preaching the message of Freedom of Information.”
Receiving the award, Mr. Ojo thanked LASRAB and the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, saying he was honoured and humbled that his modest contributions to the Freedom of Information campaign were being recognized before such a distinguished audience.
Mr. Ojo also spoke at the occasion on the status of the implementation of the FOI Act and suggested measures for ensuring greater compliance by public institutions with the provisions of the Act.
For further enquiries please contact:
Ayode Longe
Media Rights Agenda (MRA)
Ikeja, Lagos
Tel: +234 1 7616803
Mobile: +234 (0) 802 329 8628
Email: ayode@mediarightsagenda.net
