The Serap Accountability Club, Obafemi Awolowo University, and the Clinic for Human Rights, Obafemi Awolowo University hosted a Tertiary Education Students – Transparency and Accountability Commitment Summit (TES-TAC Summit) on Thursday, May 30 at Law Lecture Theatre 1. The theme of the summit was ‘Transparency and Accountability Across Governments: The Civic Roles of Students in Nigeria’.
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The keynote speaker for the event was Professor O.S. Oyelade, while the panelists were Adelanke Aremo, Esq. (Senior Legal Advisor, SERAP), Ayomide Adesina (Chairman, Guild of Editors, ACJ OAU), and Bioluwatife Akinyemi (Senior Reporter, Nigerian Tribune). Unfortunately, Professor Oyelade, the Keynote speaker, could not make it to the event, but his speech was read by Mr Oduniyi. A spoken word was performed by Miracle Oyedotun.
The panel session featured Mrs Adelanke Aremo, Mr Bioluwatife, and Ayomide Adesina discussing the ‘Practicality and Utility of the Freedom of Information Act’. Mrs. Adelanke spoke about how the FOI Act became law in 2011.
According to her, the FOI Act gives individuals the opportunity to question the government. She stated that the act is still being underutilized. She further stated that the FOI Act has been used to achieve changes in the Government. Mrs Adelanke Aremo cited the case of Twitter’s agreement with the federal government. She said the court has recently ruled that the agreement should be made known to the government. ‘If you do not ask questions, that is your problem. You are not contributing to society’, she said. To hold people accountable, one must be armed with the proper information.
Mr. Bioluwatife stated that there is a need to orient people about the existence of the FOI Act. People in positions of power should be aware that they can be asked questions.
Mr. Ayomide spoke about how reaching out to the management and Students’ Union on issues on campus has helped to effect positive changes on campus. Through the use of the FOI Act, the executives of the Students’ Union and the management have been made to, through the report, carry out duties that they should do normally.
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The winners of the TES-TAC Essay competition were announced by Miss Ruth Otori. Okougha Iyanu secured the third position (₦20,000), Jolayemi Itunuoluwa Gold the second position (₦30,000), and Emmanuel Praise the first position (₦50,000).
Speaking with Mrs Adelanke Aremo after the event about how the FOI Act can be best practised on campus, she explained that students need to be aware of it. She mentioned that while she was entering the campus, there was an ongoing gate construction project. She elaborated that students can write to request information about the amount spent on commissioning the project, and the expected completion time, among other details. She also mentioned, “They (students) can reach out to us at SERAP.”
Also speaking with Joshua B. Oyebode, the lead director of the Clinic for Human Rights, OAU, he said ‘With the instrumentality of the TES-TAC Summit, we believe that transparency and accountability practitioners are being raised amongst Obafemi Awolowo University students. Our ultimate goal is to work towards a Nigeria that works for even the most indigent and vulnerable.