Nigeria's Freedom of Information, FOI, Bill will soon become law. Just recently passed by the Senate, it awaits the president's assent. At long last!

Nothing in this news is earth-shattering of course, for all civilised democracies know the value and blessings of FOI. Added to the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, NEITI, however, our country can now look forward to a future of better accountability and less blatant corruption from Elections 2007 onwards. President Obasanjo should sign right away.

In taking as long as eight years to give us this law, the politicians patently and loudly diminish themselves. The Nigerian Press has always been fearless and resilient - from the colonial times through the hellish military era, it defended the people and stayed fiercely loyal to the masses. Delaying this legislation, especially in the Senate, was an own goal of disrepute! Nigerians were not well-served. It undermined the fight against corruption, and permitted political rascality.

Anyway, better late than never. Now we've got it, or almost got it. I say BRAVO to all who made it happen. Welcome FOI.

Parting Hint: Crooks beware! Leaders behave!!