International Community Marks Right To Know Day

The International Community is observing today as Right to Know Day.

The United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO in 2015 proclaimed September twenty-eight as the International Day for Universal Access to information.

Staff reporter Njideka Okoye who gave an insight on the importance of the day reports that the day encourages the right of access to information for all people and the benefits to transparent government.

Baring his mind, a legal practitioner and a former Commissioner for Lands in Anambra State Mr John Okoli-Akirika stated that Right to Know is a guarantee in the constitution that every citizen has the right to participate in the affairs of government and receive information.

Mr Okoli-Akirika who advocated full implementation of Freedom of Information Act of the federal government to ensure that people receive and transmit information freely, noted that even outside the law the government should ensure that people are properly informed.

For the Principal of New Era Secondary School Nteje in Oyi Local Government Area, Mrs Nkiru Enemuo, the celebration is a welcome development as it will create awareness on the need for people to get what they supposed to know.

Mrs Enemuo who stated that the right to information can only be effectively implemented on the basis of laws regulating such rights in accordance with international standards, urging the federal government to improve on the power sector to enable people access information on Media.

A business executive Mr James Nwabia noted that the right of access to information makes possible the public involvement in formulating social policies and in the decision-making processes of governance as the right to information is essential for transparent and accountable governance.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “What do you know now”.