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Tag: Lai Mohammed

  • ‘Saraki’s Senate Presidency slowed down government’

    …Says Saraki has been in opposition in the last three years

     

    The Presidency on Wednesday blamed the slow pace of development in the country on the National Assembly led by the Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

    Briefing State House correspondents at the end of Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, said that he has operated as being part of the opposition party right from day one as Senate President.

    Read Also: Saraki’s defection: What next?

    He said that Saraki has been in the opposition in the past three years.

    According to him, the series of Federal budget passage delays and delays in confirming appointments sent to the National Assembly have worked against development in the country.

    He said that Saraki’s leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) was a welcome development.

  • Stakeholders seek dissolution of Kwara APC executive

    Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara on Sunday called for the immediate dissolution of the state’s Party Executive Committee led by Alhaji Balogun Fulani and the conduct of fresh congresses.

    The stakeholders called for the dissolution  after a meeting held in Oro, the country home of the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

    Mohammed, who read out the resolutions said the stakeholders, agreed that the fresh congresses to be conducted at all levels would include all Kwara APC members and those who are just coming into the party

    The minister said that the stakeholders also resolved “that all those who got appointments by deceit, hiding under the facade of being party men and women, should immediately resign such appointments or be fired”.

    He said the resignations would enable the genuine members of APC to reap where they had sown.

    “We also resolved that the recent gale of defections has now put the APC in a position of true majority in the National Assembly, as those who remain are the ones who are truly committed to the ideals of our great Party

    “That all members and supporters of our great party restate their unflinching support for President Muhammadu Buhari and assure him of a harvest of votes from Kwara State in the 2019 General Elections.

    “That all members should remain calm because there is no cause for alarm,” he said.

    Mohammed  said he was in the state with the permission of the party’s national executive to hold the consultative meetings with the major stakeholders of APC in Kwara.

    He expressed appreciation “to hundreds of supporters who since the announcement of defections have encouraged us via text messages, telephone calls personal visits,  that there is no cause for alarm in Kwara”.

    The minister stressed that the defection notwithstanding, Kwara is solidly for APC and President Muhammadu Buhari.

    At the briefing were factional Chairman of APC, Moshood Bolarinwa, the Secretary, Ganiyu Saka and other key members of the party.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that before the consultative meetings, the minister addressed members and supporters of the party who came to receive him at the playground of Muslim Community Primary School, Oro.

    The minister told the supporters, in their thousands, that the defection of the lawmakers in the National Assembly had exposed the faces of traitors in the party fold.

    “Today is a special day. God has answered our prayers by exposing our political traitors.

    “God has removed stones from our rice and sands in our cassava flakes,” Mohammed who addressed the rally in Yoruba language said.

    He assured that the defection would have no significant negative effect on the party, instead  it would offer an opportunity for its repositioning.

    “We are here today to assure that it is a new dispensation in Kwara APC politics. We are at home today to assure you that the party will be reorganised and repositioned.

    “By exposing the enemies and traitors in our fold, God has given us the opportunities that we have been looking for to reposition our party .

    “These are people who had never given us peace and progress.

    “Today, by the Grace of God and with your support, APC will wax stronger in Kwara. What is in the offing is a mega party,” he said.

    Mohammed said they were prepared to take the party structure back and give it back to the people.

    “The party belongs to you all. We therefore reassure you that God is with us and the people of Kwara are with us.

    “Since the day they decamped, you can see those who have come to our camp are more than those who left,” he said.

    The minister appealed to the members and party supporters to give new entrants a chance.

    He assured that the new dispensation would allow level playing ground devoid of candidates imposition and godfather syndrome.

  • Allow defectors, concerned PDP members tell leaders

    Some concerned People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara state has urged party leaders to welcome intending defectors with open arms in the party.

    This according to the concerned members will fortify the party ahead of 2019 elections, thus enhancing its chances.

    The members in a statement under the aegis of Concerned Members of PDP, Kwara state chapter, argued that “Nigerians believe that our parry is the popular platform for serious minded politicians and thus we cannot afford to be unduly selective in our membership drive”.

    The call came as the National Chairman of the PDP; Prince Uche Secondus said the party is open to all possible defectors from the R-APC, and other opposition members who are not satisfied with the current affairs of the country.

    Secondus made the statement in Ilorin, during a condolence visit to the former PDP national leader, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje, over the loss of his mother.

    The concerned PDP members statement was signed by  Alhaji Abdullahi Lateef (Balogun Fulani Ward 11), Alhaji Danjuma Hamid (Oko-Erin),  Moshood Issa (Alanamu), Prince Olabode, M. A. (Ibagun), and Ayinde Wasiu (Aare1).

    The statement reads in part: “If we are desirous of winning come 2019, we must maintain an open door policy to all new members nationally unless we have made up our minds to only participate in the coming elections with the usual dismal outcome of failures.

    Read Also: PDP rejects poll results

    “All sincere and faithful members of the PDP in the state are aiming to win in the forthcoming general elections both at the state and federal levels we want whoever emerges as our party gubernatorial candidate to occupy the Kwara state Government House come 2019. To be able to achieve this, we are ca;;ing on all party leaders and members off all rival political parties to decamp en mass into the PDP today in order to be part of the  moving train.

    “This clarion call coming at this point in time is most appropriately directed also to big time political leaders like the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Bashir Bolarinwa. They should jettison the docile APC for the PDP.”

    The group allayed the fears being expressed by some members of the party in the state over the possibility of losing their offices due to the influx of new members; saying to have such fears is to be pessimistic about the positive sides of the defections into the party.

    “We are earnestly saying No, to recurrent electoral failures as we have grown weary and tired of losing at every election in Kwara state since 2015”, the statement said, adding that the party should be ready to accept the likes of Saraki and others whom they described as acclaimed game changers.”

  • Fake News: FG will not gag media – Lai Mohammed

    Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed on Friday pledged that there would be no censorship or coercion of any media organization by the federal government in its fight against fake news and hate speech.

    Mohammed said on  NTA flagship programme: ‘ Good Morning Nigeria’ entitled, “Combating Damages of Fake News in Nigeria,” that the fight against fake news was a global trend with many technology companies like Google, Facebook, twitter and WhatsApp also involved in the fight globally.

    The minister added that the existing law would be strengthened and enforced to stem the tide of fake news and hate speech, adding that the law would be allowed to take its course.

    The Federal Government, according to him, will not censor or coerce any media organization, but we will allow the law to take its course.

    “The laws that are there today to take care of this scourge but I think the most important thing is advocacy in order to appeal to the sense of responsibility of ordinary Nigerian,” he said.

    “Many people think it is a joke, that is, it is just fun when they see pictures being manipulated but some people also are mischievous and they are deliberately misinforming Nigerians because they actually want to destabilize the polity.

    “We will not censor, we will not coerce, but we want to appeal to the every Nigerian that this is a national assignment and is in the interest of every one of us especially the media,’’ he said.

    Read Also: Nigeria to host global tourism meeting —Lai Mohammed

    Mohammed said that the essence of launching the campaign against fake news was to sensitize Nigerians on its dangers and encourage everyone to get involved in the fight.

    He said: “fake news poses serious danger not just to the peace and security of a nation, but also it threatens the very corporate existence of a nation.”

    He also urged the media to always be sure of their sources, adding that even when story sources were identified, things that could divide the nation should not be emphasized.

    According to him, a country like Nigeria which is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, fake news laced with hate speech is a time bomb.

    “It is important for us to sensitize Nigerians and seek the cooperation of the media, in particular, in fighting the scourge of fake news.

    “We are also using tool of information available to us including using the National Orientation Agency and we have also spoken with the giant technological companies like Google, WhatsApp, twitter and also Facebook.

    “I must say that it gladdens to see that technology companies are also aware and they are very worried about fake news.

    “Google has committed about 300 million dollars for the next three years to fight fake news, Facebook has taken out about 583 million fake accounts and twitter 70 million and WhatsApp has today come out with software to detect fake news.

    “Ones we get the support and cooperation of these tech companies and the media in Nigeria as well as everyone, we will be able fight this scourge,’’ he said.

  • FEC okays N35.613 billion for roads, bridge projects

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday approved a total sum of N35.613 billion for roads and bridge projects in the country.

    The Minister of Power Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, briefed State House correspondents at the end of FEC meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He was with the Minister of Information and culture, Lai Mohammed.

    According to Fashola, N8.9 billion was approved for construction of Ikom bridge and roads in Calabar, Cross River State.

    The roads and 330 meter bridge, which will be completed in 24 months, he said, will create access to the port for trucks to move freely with their containers.

    “This will help to facilitate further activity in the Calabar port and ease the challenges being faced.” he added

    The Minister said that N11.78 billion was approved for the 37 kilometers of section two of Nguru-Gashua-Biamari road project in Yobe State, while N8.6 billion was approved for section one of Ilorin-Igbeti-Kishi road project in Kwara State.

    While N5.4 billion was approved for re-award of section one of Bende-Arochukwu-Ohafia road project in Abia State.

    “The previous contractor was unable to satisfactorily execute the project in terms of capacity and equipment. And therefore we terminated and re-awarded the project to a new contractor.” he stated

    He said that N933.7 million was approved for automatic meter reading machine and services for Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

    The Minister said “This is to facilitate remote meter reading of wholesale meters at the custody and trading points. This is different from remote reading of retail meters used by consumers like you and I.

    Read Also: The anti-obesity effects of pineapple

    “If this is successful implemented, it will eliminate all of the delays. It will also help in dispute resolutions because data can be then produced quicker online.” he said

    On what he is doing to enforce supply of retail electricity meters to Nigerians, he said “The control that the Minister of Power before me, before 2013 had over PHCN and all its assets have been taken by the privatization of the sector.

    “But as a people as a government, we are not helpless. Powers that the Minister used to have are now vested in NERC.

    “But the Minister has the power to direct NERC to do its job. There are clear statutory and legal  limits to what I can do as minister in order not to send a wrong message to investors.” he said

    On why the Federal Government is yet to speak on the Finance Minister, Kemi Adeosun’s allegedly forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate  Lai Mohammed said, “The government has spoken. NYSC is part of government and I have nothing to add to what the NYSC has said”

  • FEC okays N230.28 billion for roads, mining data projects

    Also approves $92 million for gas pipeline project 

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday approved a total of N230.28 billion for roads projects and mining data in the country.

    The Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed and the Minister of State for Mines and Steel, Bawa Bwari briefed State House correspondents at the end of FEC meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    Mohammed disclosed that N206 billion was approved for linking road and associated infrastructures for the 2nd Niger Bridge.

    Read Also: Boosting anti-graft war through effective investigation

    He said that N11.58 billion was approved for re-award of rehabilitation of road in Enugu State.

    According to him, $92 million was approved for gas pipeline project.

    Bwari said that the FEC okayed N12.7 billion was approved for exploration and consultancy projects in the mining sector.

    The projects, he said, will help in getting accurate mining data, which will attract local and foreign investments.

  • FG calls for girl-child empowerment through education

    The Federal Government has called for empowerment of the girl child in the country through education.

    Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, made the call at a two-day media dialogue on Girls for Girls (G4G) Initiative organised by the Child Rights Information Bureau (CRIB) of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture in collaboration with the United Nations Children Fund’s, (UNICEF), in Gusau, Zamfara state capital, on Monday.

    The minister, who was represented by the Principal Information Officer in the ministry, Zira Nagga, called for more collaboration with state governments and other stakeholders to increase enrollment of girls in schools in the north.

    Mohammed commended UNICEF for its interventions in the north and called for more partnership with stake governments to increase access to basic education in the region.

    The G4G project is a component of the Girls’ Education Project (GEP) phase 3 being implemented in three state of Bauchi, Katsina and Zamfara.

    The minister said: “We all know that the Girl 4 Girl Initiative is a component of the Girls’ Education Project (GEP-4) phase 3 being implemented in northern Nigeria to help support girls remain in school and improve their learning achievement and we have been a part of this Programme through this media dialogue.

    “There is need to appreciate that some progress has been made in this bid but a lot still needs to be done considering the fact that a large number of girl children are yet to be captured in this Programme.

    “It is worthy to note that girls are very important part of our society and indeed a high percentage of success in developmental processes in any society could be associated to them because of the peculiar place they occupy in the homes and the role they play in the society at large.

    “This position buttresses the need to ensure that they are empowered, especially through education.

    “I wish to commend UNICEF and all other partners for their partnership with the Federal and state government of Nigeria and for their support in ensuring that basic education is brought to the girl child in northern Nigeria.”

    Executive Director, Life Helpers Initiative, a nongovernmental organisation, Tayo Fatinikun, said the G4G project have led to the enrollment of about 4,099 girls in schools in Zamfara state.

    Mr. Fatinikun, in his presentation, said the 4,099 girls enrollment rate was spread across 100 schools in six selected Local Government Areas in the state.

    He also said about 960 girls out of the figure had been trained on social, vocational and health related issues.

    Mr. Fatinikun said: “Zamfara is one of the educationally disadvantaged state of the federation with a very poor and low enrollment, retention level and strong disparity between boys and girls enrollment.

    “Our targets are the children, women of reproductive age, youth and community structures. Some communities are very volatile and so there is need for the government to provide security in schools.

    “Low infrastructural development is another threat to the education of the girl child and so there is need to provide conducive learning facilities for the girls.”

  • FG determined to complete second Niger bridge soon-Lai Mohammed

    The Minister of information and culture, Lai Mohammed has again reaffirmed the Federal Government determination to complete the second Niger Bridge.

    The minister also assured that funding will not be a problem for the project; stressing that government is not sleeping neither is it playing politics with the project.

    The Minister gave the assurance yesterday during an inspection tour of the second project.

    Addressing Journalists on the tour, the minister also expressed the determination of the current administration to complete all ongoing Federal Government projects across the country.

    Read Also:Fashola reassures on completion of Second Niger Bridge

    He also challenged those doubting government sincerity to go to the site and see the enormous work that is ongoing.

    Speaking at the Asaba end of the project, Mohammed stressed that the federal government wasn’t sleeping or politicising the project as the impact of the ongoing construction work will not be understood until finally completed.

    “Very soon the second Niger Bridge would be completed, and it would change the socioeconomic situation of the country. We are working in a creek, what people want to see is that bridge, and before you see it you must have done a lot of work.

    “The contract of the second Niger Bridge was awarded in 2014 by the last administration and nothing was done until 2016, and the Buhari administration funded the project. So far a lot has been done and in the next two years, passengers would not have to queue on the first Niger Bridge again.

    “The thing about this project is that, because of the alignment, people from the old bridge will say nothing is going on, you have come here and you can see a lot of work is going on and I am excited because with technology the challenges here are overcome. You could hear that in June/July the water level usually rises by 2-3meters and it’s not like the way we use to have casualties like before.

    “it is very important for naysayers to try and mislead people that nothing is being done on the second Niger bridge, but for what we have all seen today, clearly work is going on on the second Niger bridge.

    “I am happy that these are not project you could move over in two or three days. The complexity of this project is such that it is only the best that can handle it, and we have very competent hands working on it and the entire contract is over 11km. We can see the enthusiasm displayed among the workers,” said Mohammed.

    Earlier speaking, the Federal Commissioner of Works, Anambra State, Innocent Anumona while giving a progress report of the project to the minister said ”the second Niger bridge is 1.59km. The contractors have done a lot, they have completed the whole pile which is the foundation, and we have done 310piles amongst other things, what is remaining is the launch the bridge, which is the last stage.

    “These contract has been awarded and it is being carried out in phases, 1-4th phases. Phase 1-3 has been completed, and we are on the 4th phase.

    “By July, we should be ending the 4th phase of the second Niger bridge, the entire Foundation/pile of the bridge is 615 pieces.

  • Lai Mohammed condoles with D’banj

    Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has condoled with music star, Dapo Oyebanjo, aka D’banj and his wife on the tragic loss of

    their son, Daniel.

    In a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister said although words can never be enough to console them, they should take solace in the outpouring of sympathy from Nigerians.

    ‘’My prayers and kindest thoughts are with you and your family at this trying time. May God give you the strength and the comfort that will see you through,’’ he said.

  • Lai Mohammed, Ita-Giwa mourn Ras Kimono

    •Rastafarians plan candlelight procession in Ebonyi

    The minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has expressed shock and sadness at the passing of the globally-acclaimed reggae star, Ras Kimono.

    The minister in a statement signed by Mr. Segun Adeyemi, Special Adviser to the minister of Information and Culture stated that late Kimono will be remembered for his contribution to the elevation of reggae, his love of the masses, his life of discipline and his service to humanity.

    “Kimono helped to blaze the trail for the phenomenal growth of the Nigerian music industry, and he was a worthy mentor to the younger generation of Nigerian musicians,” Alhaji Mohammed said.

    “His legacy will surely endure.”

    The minister also extended his condolences to the family, friends and fans of the late artiste, and indeed to the entire Nigerian music industry, for losing a foremost proponent of reggae, a prominent campaigner for a better life for the people and a patriot.

    Also, former Presidential Adviser, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, described Ras Kimono’s death as a major loss to the country.

    Speaking in Calabar, Cross River State, she described Ras Kimono as not just an amazing entertainer, but an intellectual and activist, who used his music to send messages on issues that should be corrected in the country.

    Expressing shock at his demise, Ita-Giwa, who is also the leader of the Seagull Band, one of the five competition band at Carnival Calabar, said plans were underway to have him join the band in the carnival in December this year.

    “He was to join the carnival last year,” she said.

    “In fact he was to join the carnival this year. I am truly shocked and we miss him a great deal.

    “He should be honoured for his contribution to the development of this country and for democracy. He cried out for democracy. Nigeria needs to celebrate him.”

    Ras Kimono died on Sunday morning at the Lagoon Hospital, Ikoyi, Lagos. He was scheduled to travel to the US on Saturday but complained of ill-health on Friday evening and was rushed to an hospital in Ikeja, Lagos before he was transferred to Lagoon Hospital, Ikoyi.

    In May, he turned 60 and celebrated with coleagues in the music industry.

    Born Ekeleke Elumelu Onwubuya on May 9, 1958, Kimono who hailed from Delta State released his debut album with his Massive Dread Reggae Band, ‘Under Pressure’ while signed to Premier Music in 1989.

    Also speaking on the burial plans, Chairman of Copyright Society of Nigeria, COSON and friend of Ras Kimono, said Kimono’s family is yet to announce the burial plans but COSON is planning to give the late reggae star a befitting burials.

    “Meanwhile, flags are flying at half-mast at COSON House. There’s a condolence register at COSON House that are people are coming to sign on. The music of Ras Kimono plus he visuals of his biggest performances are showing at COSON House. We wuld ecelbrate him mightily. His funeral would be one of the best organised in the history of Nigeria with respect to artistes. I can assure you that.”

    Also, Rastafarians in Ebonyi State are planning to hold candlelight procession for Ras Kimono.

    Though a date is yet to be fixed, the reggae artists said that the procession was to honour Kimono “because of his great contributions to the development of the brand of music in the country.”

    Until his death, Ras Kimono who was a vegetarian for 37 years before his death practiced Rastafraianism.

     

    James Okoh, alias Rasta Omege, said he would coordinate the activities to ensure that Kimono was given a befitting tribute by Rastafarians in the state.

     

    “We would immediately convene a meeting to deliberate on ways to honour our departed father and further propagate the reggae gospel in the state and the country.

     

    “We would also organise candle light procession, hold road-shows, music concerts, Rastafarian-night, among other activities, to give Ras Kimono a befitting farewell.”

     

    Another Rastafarian, Charles Nduka, alias Rasta Iree, said Kimono’s contributions to the development of music, especially reggae and the entire social sector of the country, was unparalleled.

     

    “Kimono inspired young musicians in the country to embrace reggae and this helped in some of the positive changes witnessed in the society,” Rasta Iree said.

     

    “Kimono, through his songs, ensured that music was given its pride of place in the country and corrected the wrong notion that it is a venture for school drop-outs and never do wells.”