In their efforts to encourage state institutions to do better in proactively disclosing information, and heeding Freedom Of Information (FOI) requests and to reward “prime movers” whose contributions brought to reality the passage and signing into law the Freedom of Information Bill into law, the International Press Centre (IPC), the Media Rights Agenda (MRA) and their partners, including the European Union Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN), put together the maiden edition of the National Freedom of Information Awards 2021.

Prominent Nigerians, including political actors, journalists, civil rights leaders and students as well as international bodies were conferred Awards at the first ever National Freedom of Information Awards held at Ladi Kwali Conference Centre, Sheraton Hotels, Abuja on Frida December 10, 2021.

The Street Reporters Newspaper presents the full list of the winners of the maiden National Freedom of Information Awards in their categories:

Essay Competition Category

1. Obanla Ridwan – winner of the Freedom of Information (FOI) National Essay Competition for students of Mass Communication and Journalism on the theme: “Deepening Democracy: The Impact of FOI Act 10 Years After”.
2. Nenritmwa Mohammed – the first Runner-up in the Freedom of Information (FOI) National Essay Competition.

FOI Requests Category (Individual)

3. Atiku Sarki – Winner of National Freedom of Information Awards 2021 for having made the highest number of requests for information under the FOI Act between May 29, 2015 and October 31, 2021
4. Ibrahim Garba Maryam – First Runner-up having made the second highest number of requests for information under the Act.

FOI Requests Category (Private Organisation Category)

5. Public And Private Development Centre (PPDC) – for having made the highest number of requests for information under the FOI Act between May 29, 2015 and October 31, 2021.
6. International Centre For Investigative Reporting (ICIR) – Winner of National Freedom of Information Awards 2021 as first runner-up for having made the second highest number of requests for information under the FOI Act.

FOI Awards (Public Institution Category)

7. Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) – Winner of FOI Best Practice Recognition Award at the National Freedom of Information Awards 2021 for having been adjudged the most responsive public institution that has adopted innovative and access friendly practices and procedures to ensure the public’s right of access to information in Nigeria.
8. Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) – Winner of National Freedom of Information Awards 2021 as First Runner-up (FOI Best Practice Recognition Award) for been adjudged the second most responsive public institution that has adopted innovative and access-friendly practices and procedures to ensure the public’s right of access to information in Nigeria.

Advocacy Category

9. National Orientation Agency (NOA) – Winner of Public Institution Champion for Freedom of Information Award for being the most popularly voted Freedom of Information public institution and for your activities raising awareness about the FOI Act among public institutions and Nigerian citizens.

Special Recognition Category

10. Mr. Maxwell Kadiri – Winner of National Freedom of Information Awards 2021 in recognition of his contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria.
11. Prof. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu – Winner of National Freedom of Information Awards 2021 in recognition of his contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria.
12. Dr Jibrin Ibrahim – Winner of National Freedom of Information Awards 2021 in recognition of your contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria.
13. Mr. Osaro Odemwingie – Winner of the National Freedom of Information Awards 2021 in recognition of his contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria.
14. Ms. Angela Agoawike – Winner of the National Freedom of Information Awards 2021 in recognition of her contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria.
15. Dr. Sam Amadi – Winner of the National Freedom of Information Awards 2021 in recognition of his contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria.
16. Mr Tunde Fagbohunlu (SAN) – Winner of the National Freedom of Information Awards 2021 in recognition of his contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria.
17. Amb. Jerry Sonny Ugokwe – Winner of the National Freedom of Information Awards 2021 in recognition of his contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria.
18. Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa (Former Member of the House of Representatives) – Winner of the National Freedom of Information Awards 2021 in recognition of her contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria.
19. Hon . Dimeji Bankole (Former Speaker of the House of Representatives) – Winner of the National Freedom of Information Awards 2021 in recognition of his contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria.
20. Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) – Winner of the National Freedom of Information Awards 2021 In recognition of his contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria.
21. Senator Ayogu Eze – Winner of the National Freedom of Information Awards 2021 in recognition of his contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria.

FOI Awards (Stakeholders Category)

22. Nigeria Union Of Journalists (NUJ) – the National Freedom of Information Awards 2021 in recognition of its contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria.
23. Newspapers Proprietors Association Of Nigeria (NPAN) – Winner of the National Freedom of Information Awards 2021 in recognition of its contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria.
24. Nigerian Guild Of Editors (NGE) – Winner of the National Freedom of Information Awards 2021 in recognition of your contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria.
25. British High Commission – Winner of the National Freedom of Information Awards 2021 in recognition of her contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria.
26. United States Agency For International Development (USAID) – Winner of the National Freedom of Information Awards 2021 In recognition of its contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria.
27. Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI) – Winner of the National Freedom of Information Awards 2021 in recognition of its contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria.

Special Honours Category

28. Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, (Former President, Federal Republic of Nigeria) – Special Recognition Award at the National Freedom of Information Awards 2021 for his substantial and lasting contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Nigeria by his bold and patriotic act in signing into Law the Freedom of Information Bill on May 28, 2011.
29. Dr. John Kayode Fayemi (Executive Governor of Ekiti State & Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum) – Special Recognition Award at the National Freedom of Information Awards 2021 for his significant contribution towards the advancement of the right to information in Ekiti State and Nigeria; for being the first Governor in Nigeria to adopt a Freedom of Information Law for a state.

The colourful event was chaired by Justice Stella Anukam, a judge of the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights, Tanzania.

Source: StreetReporters.ng