He spoke yesterday in Abuja at a workshop organized by the Federal Ministry of Information on the implementation of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.

The workshop, which has as its theme 'Openness in Governance: The Freedom of Information Act 2011 in Perspective,' is aimed at enhancing capacity to deal with issues arising from and relating to the Act and create a platform for the exchange of ideas on the workings and the implementation of the Act.

Maku said the responsibility lies on Nigerians to give effect to the law to ensure transparency and accountability which it intends to promote in governance.

Maku said when applied to all sectors of the economy, the law would improve its fight against corruption and the abuse of office.

He assured that the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and his ministry will work proactively to undertake training for public officers and the media on the requirements of the FOI Act.

The minister called on all media stakeholders to create a system that will enforce ethics of the profession by sanctioning violators.

Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Information, Umar Buba Jibril, advised that the Act be used responsibly for the good of the country.

In his remarks, President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mohammed Garba, expressed worry that in spite of the enactment of the Act, public institutions were still reluctant to release certain information to the media.

He advised that measures be put in place to enforce the implementation of the Act so as to promote open governance.