The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lai Mohammed

  • Minister stresses importance of water, sanitation in life of a child

    ….Nigeria ranks 3rd in open defecation…UNICEF

    Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has stressed the importance of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in the life of a child. 

    This is as the United Nations Children’s Fund ( UNICEF ), WASH specialist,  Mainga Moono Banda said Nigeria ranked third in the world with the largest number of people practicing open defecation. 

    The duo spoke at the opening of a two day agenda for Media dialogue on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene ( WASH ) in Awka, Anambra state also urged the media to help push the course. 

    The WASH programme which is funded by European Union and coordinated by the United Nations Children Fund ( UNICEF ) has been on in the country in the last five years in six states and 20 Local Government Areas.

    The minister noted that clean water and sanitation are so essential for the survival and development of all children. 

    “Water, Sanitation and Hygiene is very important in the life of a Child. The Sustainable Development Goal 6 clearly emphasizes the importance of clean water and sanitation. Water and Sanitation are essential for the survival and development of all children, while simple Hygiene such as hand washing can save lives, the minister said”.

    He also added that “The issue of safe water and sanitation has been in the front burner of development issues in Nigeria because it affects a major segment of our society, a lot of whom are children.”

    The minister who was represented by Mr. Olumide Osanyinpeju, Deputy Director, Child Right Information Bureau Federal Ministry of Information and Culture noted that the country has achieved a lot in the area of water supply and sanitation, however said a lot still needed to be done. 

     “A lot of milestone has also been achieved, and a lot still needs to be done considering the fact that we are yet to attain that level where we can confidently say that our communities all have safe water, sanitation and hygiene. It is to this effect that this media dialogue is organized.”

    He also commended UNICEF and EU who have been in the forefront of ensuring that the country have access to safe drinking water supply, adequate sanitation and proper hygiene in our environment and communities. 

    He welcomed the continuous support in ensuring that safe water, sanitation and hygiene are brought to the rural people of Nigeria through the WASH Programme.

    In her presentation Mainga who quoted from the 2017 MICS survey said, over 46 million people still practice Open Defection (ODF) in Nigeria as 33 million of this figure live in the rural area.
    “130 million across the country use unapproved sanitary facilities, more than half live in the rural area while 45,000 children die annually from disease caused by poor access to water, sanitation and hygiene.”

    She said WASH plays a critical role in improving  health, nutrition and hygiene in Nigeria adding for Nigeria to meet up its SDG goal 6 on water and sanitation  by 2030, provision of safe and adequate hygiene that would curb issues of water borned and sanitation related diseases would be reduced.

    “Despite all effort, sanitation is declining instead of improving and this is calls for concern. The trend in water between year 200 and 2015 revealed that the gradients is going up instead of declining same with sanitation especially in the rural area.”

    She said the goal is, “we are not leaving anyone behind whether in the rural or urban area.”

  • Looters list: Ex-Minister files contempt charge against Lai Mohammed

    Asks minister to explain why he should not be jailed for contempt

     

    A former Finance Minister Mrs Nenadi Usman has initiated contempt proceedings at the Federal High Court in Lagos against Minister of Information Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

    In a motion on notice filed through her lawyer, Chief Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), the former minister of state argued that the inclusion of her name on the looters’ list while her case was pending in court was contemptuous.

    Justice Rilwan Aikawa on Monday granted Usman leave to serve Mohammed a notice to appear before the court and explain why he should not be committed to prison for publishing her name in looters’ list while the matter is ongoing in court.

    Usman, in the motion on notice, said Mohammed was aware of the charge against her yet he caused to be published a list of looters in several media platforms on April 1 where her name featured prominently as having looted N1.5billion.

    “Other than the instant ongoing charge for which applicant is standing trial, having pleaded not guilty thereto, she has never been charged, tried or convicted of any criminal offence whether for looting public fund or any other crime.

    “The said publication has prejudiced the applicant in the minds of the public and was intended or likely to interfere or obstruct fair administration of justice in this charge, where the complainant/respondent is yet to conclude its case,” Usman said.

    In a supporting affidavit deposed to by a litigation assistant at Synergy Attorneys, Sesan Adebayo, the deponent said Mohammed committed the alleged contempt in response to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) demand that the Federal Government should name looters.

    Read Also: Buhari has delivered, says Lai Mohammed

    “I believe that if the alleged contemnor is not made to show cause as to why he should not be charged for contempt and purge himself of the willful contempt of the authority of this court by committing him to prison, he will continue in his contemptuous activities thereby making mockery of the judicial process,” Adebayo averred.

    The court ordered that the May 2 motion on notice and other accompanying processes be served on the alleged contemnor by substituted means at his Plot 864, Cadastral Zone, Utako District, Abuja, office.

    It followed Orbih’s prayer for substituted service as the alleged contemnor’s address is outside the court’s jurisdiction and he may be difficult to reach personally due to elaborate protocols and bureaucracy involved in reaching a minister.

    Ruling, Justice Aikawa emphasized that the processes should be served on Mohammed through a responsible senior public official at the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, where the alleged contemnor sits as the Minister for Information and Culture.

    He said: “I have perused the application including the supporting affidavits and I am satisfied that the application ought to be granted. The application is granted save that it should be served on his (Mohammed’s) confidential Secretary in Abuja,” he said

    The court also held that such substituted service of the motion on notice and all other relevant process shall be deemed to be good and proper service on the alleged contemnor.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re-arraigned Usman and former Minister of Aviation Chief Femi Fani-Kayode for alleged N4.6billion fraud.

    They pleaded not guilty to the 17-count charge of laundering.

    The former ministers were charged along with former Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) and ex-Chairman of Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State Mr. Yusuf Danjuma and a company, Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Limited.

    Count one of the charge reads: “That you, Nenadi Esther Usman, Femi Fani-Kayode, Danjuman Yusuf And Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Ltd on or about the 8th day of January, 2015, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to indirectly retain the sum of N1,500, 000,000.00 which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: stealing.”

    The four were also accused of indirectly retaining N300million, N400million and N800million, all proceeds of corruption, according to EFCC. The prosecution said they allegedly committed the offence between January 8 and March 25, 2015 ahead of the general election.

    The trial could not proceed yesterday due to the absence of a prosecution witness.

    EFCC’s lawyer Mr Idris Mohammed said the third prosecution witness (PW3) who ought to be cross examined, was pregnant and on bed rest.

    Justice Aikawa adjourned until October 2.

  • Kimono will be remembered for elevation of reggae – Lai Mohammed

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed says the late globally acclaimed reggae star, Ras Kimono will be remembered for his contribution to the elevation of reggae.

    In a statement issued on Monday, the Minister said Kimono’s contribution to that genre of music can never be forgotten.

    Mohammed expressed shock and sadness at the passing of the reggae star, adding that he would be remembered for 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.

    “He was a worthy mentor to the younger generation of Nigerian musicians. His legacy will surely endure,” Mohammed said.

    The minister extended his condolences to the family, friends and fans of the late artiste, and indeed to the entire Nigerian music industry.

    He said the music industry had lost “a foremost proponent of reggae, a prominent campaigner for a better life for the people and a patriot”.

    The minister prayed that God will grant his family the strength to bear their loss, and grant repose to the soul of the departed.

  • FG will not engage in frame-up – Mohammed

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said on Friday the Federal Government would never engage in a frame-up of innocent citizens but only the guilty should be worried

    Mohammed stated this in a statement issued in Lagos.

    He said: “This administration would never engage in a frame-up of innocent citizens. That is neither in the character of President Muhammadu Buhari nor in that of his administration.

    “Only the guilty should be worried. To paraphrase an African proverb, a man who has no wife cannot lose an in-law to the cold hands of death.

     

    ”The administration is also strongly committed to the tenets of democracy, including freedom of speech and the right to dissent.

    “But we understand that those who, in their time, were untethered to those principles would find it hard to believe.”

    The minister stressed that while those who have skeletons in their wardrobes should be afraid, even of their own shadows, innocent persons need not worry about any investigation, whether real or imagined.

    Mohammed said it was curious that the frame-up and witch-hunt allegations came a day after a major presidential proclamation reversing some past acts of injustice was made.

    He added: ”Apparently, the impact of this proclamation was too much to bear by those who, through acts of omission or commission, helped to deepen the wounds inflicted by the blow of injustice that followed an election that was widely acclaimed to be free, fair and credible.

    “Hence, they felt the need for a red herring that will distract the nation.

    ”Added to that is the frustration brought about by the fact that the contraption they have so much hyped as a freeway to power has failed to gain traction.

    “Faced with this double tragedy, even the strongest of men may begin to succumb to a figment of their imagination.

    They may start crying wolf where there is none.”

    The minister said the government would not be distracted by frivolous allegations from any quarter.

    He said the administration is too busy trying to clear the mess of 16 years and build on its unprecedented achievements over the last three years.

    NAN

  • El-Rufai commends IGP

    Kaduna state Governor Nasir El-Rufai on Thursday hailed the Inspector-General of Police for doing an excellent job in the country.

    He urged all Nigerians to support the IGP in riding the country of crimes and criminality.

    El-Rufai said this in Oro, Irepodun local government area of Kwara State at the annual Ramadan Lecture.

    The lecture was organized by the Minister of Information and Culture,  Lai Mohammed

    The National Assembly had just passed no confidence vote on the IGP.

    NASS considered IGP’s actions and inactions as antithetical to democracy

    The lawmakers raised against the police chief issues such as his failure to personally appear before the Senate when summoned on the state of Security of the nation,  the invasion of the Senate and carting away of the maze by some miscreants and the invitation of the Senate President,  Bukola Saraki for interrogation over Offa bank robbery.

    El-Rufail, praised the police boss at the occasion when he was thanking Chief Imam of Oro, Mikhail Onisan for praying for the nation and leaders.

    Read Also: Reject violence in 2019, El-Rufai urges people

    He said: “I thank the Chief Imam for his prayers for the country, President Buhari,  the Inspector-General of Police who is doing an excellent job,  the minister of Information and others.  May God accept his prayers.”

    He also commended the guest lecturer, Prof.  Raheemson Olawale whom he said pointed out good things people do in the country and also spoke against the bad practices of the  people.

    He prayed that God should favour President Buhari with good health as he leads the country.

    Also speaking, the Minister, Mohammed, praised El-Rufai as he described him as a detribalised Nigerian saying he believes in merit rather than tribal or religious sentiment.

    Mohammed while noting that most chiefs of the Oro community who attend the annual lecture are Christians and that some of the editions of the programme were held at a church compound described the community as religiously harmonious and tolerant and advised other communities of the country to emulate the community

  • Buhari has delivered, says Lai Mohammed

    CRITICS of the Buhari administration’s performance got a reply yesterday.

    Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed compiled the administration’s scorecard in the last three years and gave it a pass mark. It has fulfilled its campaign promises, the minister said in a long reflection  on the government’s infrastructure battle, security, economy and the anti-corruption war.

    He said the administration kept its social contract with Nigerians and put the country on the path of sustainable growth.

    Mohammed, who spoke with reporters in Lagos, pointed out that concerted efforts had been made to halt the over-reliance on oil through the diversification of the economy.

    Noting that the Buhari administration inherited many intractable challenges which could inhibit performance, Mohammed stressed that these challenges were converted into opportunities to turn around the country.

    He said Nigerians, who have been impacted positively by the good work of President Muhammadu Buhari, were appreciative of the giant strides, based on the feedback to the government.

    Mohammed added: “They know that no government in the history of our country has ever done so much with so little. They know and acknowledge the sincerity, transparency and accountability of the Buhari administration. They know and support the administration’s diversification effort, which is paying off.”

    Describing President Buhari’s achievements as unprecedented, the minister said the administration has taken power generation to 7,000 megawatts from the 2690 it inherited, moved the country closer to self-sufficiency in rice production and reduced the leakages in government spending through the diligent implementation of the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and the Whistle Blowing Policy.

    Mohammed said in three years, 2.7 trillion Naira ($9 billion) had been spent on power, road and rail infrastructure, adding that the capital expenditure in the yearly budget had been raised to an unprecedented 30 per cent on the average.

    Tendering vital statistics, the minister pointed out that the economy has recorded a 1.95 growth in the first quarter, external reserves have hit $48 billion while inflation has fallen for the 15th consecutive month from 18.7 per cent to 12. 5 per cent.

    Hailing the government’s revenue drive, Mohammed said tax revenue increased to N1.17 trillion this year, following the rise of tax payers to 19 million.

    He also praised the “Ease of Doing Business Reforms”, which made Nigeria to move up 24 places on the World Bank’s ranking and earn a place on the “List of 10 Most Improved Economies’’.

    On infrastructural development, Mohammed said: “Road projects are on-going across every state of the country; many of these projects have been abandoned in recent years because of mounting debts owed by the Federal Government to contractors.

    “The Buhari administration issued a 100 billion naira Sukuk Bond in 2017, Nigeria’s first Sovereign Sukuk Bond. Proceeds from that Bond are funding 25 major road projects equally distributed across the six geo-political zones.”

    Mohammed added: “The administration is upgrading 3,500 km network narrow-gauge railway, with the signing, in April, of the interim phase of a concession agreement between the Government of Nigeria and an International Consortium, led by General Electric (GE). The target of this Interim Phase is that, within the next 12 months, passengers will experience reduced travel time by rail between Lagos and Kano, and for the first time in over a decade, contracted and scheduled freight rail services will be available.

    ”More than 70 Ecological Fund projects were awarded and completed by the Buhari administration across the six geo-political zones for flood control, erosion control, bridges and dams, channelisation and desilting.”

    Mohammed said before the end of the year, there will be more than 2,000 MW of additional power generation capacity, in addition to the 7,000 MW currently being generated.

    The minister noted that the Whistle Blowing Policy introduced by the Federal Ministry of Finance in December 2016 had led to the recovery of N13.8 billion from tax evaders, and N7.8 billion, $378 million and 27,800 million pounds from public officials.

    He said N8.1 trillion was discovered to have been under-paid to the Federation Account between 2010 and 2015 by revenue-generating agencies.

    Mohammed stressed: “MDAs are remitting more money to the Federation Account. From remitting only N51 million between 2010 and 2015, JAMB went on to remit N7.8 billion in 2017, and it is on course to remit a similar amount in 2018. As at March, the TSA had recorded inflow of N8.9 trillion from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).”

    Mohammed applauded the administration’s commitment to security, saying that “to a large extent, security and normalcy have been restored to the Northeast”.

    He said the multi-national Joint Task Force (MNJTF) aimed at combating trans-border crime and the Boko Haram insurgency had been rejuvenated.

    Mohammed added: “El-Kanemi Warriors Football Club has returned to its home base in Maiduguri in April 2016, two years after relocating to Katsina State because of insurgency. Emirs of Askira and Uba returned home in May 2016, two years after fleeing their palaces on the account of the Boko Haram insurgency. Public primary schools resumed in Borno State on Monday September 26, 2016, after two years of closure. The Maiduguri-Gubio and Maiduguri-Monguno roads reopened in December 2016, after being closed for three years.”

    The minister also said that more than a million displaced persons had returned to their homes and communities in the Northeast since 2015, adding that more than 13,000 Boko Haram hostages were freed from captivity, including 106 of the abducted Chibok girls and 105 Dapchi girls.

    Mohammed, who lamented the incessant herdsmen/farmers clashes in the Northcentral, said the Joint Military Intervention Force (JMIF) was working to restore peace.

    He applauded the successful military operations against insecurity, including the Operation Lafiya Dole, Operation Hold Last, Operation Whirl Stroke, Exercise Crocodile Smile 1 and 11, Exercise Obangame, Operation Awatse, and Exercise Python Dance 1 and 11.

    The minister added: “There have also been major arrests of criminals across the country, including Usman Mohammed, aka Khalid Al-Barnawi, leader of the Ansaru Terrorist group and one of the most wanted terrorists in the world, with a US$6m United States bounty on his head. He’s being prosecuted alongside his suspected accomplices.

    “Amodu Omale Salifu, leader of an ISIS affiliate group active in North Central Nigeria, plotting to bomb foreign embassies; Ansaru leaders, Ahmed Momoh and Al-amin Mohammed Jamin, both confirmed associates of a prominent Ansaru kingpin terrorising residents in Kogi and Edo states.”

  • Lai Mohammed to Transparency International: We need your support to fight corruption

    INFORMATION and Culture Minister, Lai Mohammed has urged the global anti-corruption body, Transparency International (TI) to support, rather than condemn, the Buhari Administration’s fight against corruption.

    ‘’Nigeria has never had a more transparent, more accountable government than the Buhari Administration,’’ the Minister said when he received a TI delegation, led by the Chair of the body’s International Board, Delia Ferreira Rubio, in Abuja at the weekend.

    ‘’As a policy, this government is the most committed to fighting corruption. We need your support in the area of advocacy and capacity building,’’ he said.

    Mohammed said TI and the local civil society organizations affiliated to it have not offered the necessary support to the Administration, adding: ‘’They look at the actions of an aberrant few to condemn the government.’’

    He said when the government disclosed that just 55 people stole N1.34 trillion between 2006 and 2013, and when it published the list of looters, in response to a challenge from the opposition, a section of the civil society was busy parroting the cliché that the allegations were one-sided, instead of supporting the government’s action.

    The Minister also tasked TI and its affiliates to show more understanding for the sociological complexities of fighting corruption in Nigeria, especially because it operates a federal system of government under which the federal government has no control over the actions of the federating states.

    He said the Administration is not just fighting corruption with laws and prosecution, but also with education and inclusiveness in government, citing the government’s ‘Change Begins With Me’ programme as an example of efforts being made to achieve attitudinal change among the citizenry.

    Mohammed said Nigeria is succeeding in its anti-corruption fight because the fight is being led by a President whose integrity is beyond reproach noting: ‘’Even his worst critics won’t say he indulges in or encourages corruption.’’

    He said corrupt persons are using looted funds to mount campaign against the administration, especially in the social media, because they know that the re-election of the President will spell doom for them.

    On her part, the TI global chair said she decided to visit Nigeria, her first-ever visit to Africa, because the country can set the tone for the continent in the fight against corruption.

    Ms Ferreira Rubio said TI’s mandate is to offer support through civil society organizations and the private sector to foster the fight against corruption.

    She said while the government is doing a lot to fight corruption, it should ensure more transparency and more efficiency in service delivery.

    ‘’We are not an opposition anywhere in the world. We are just an NGO working in over 100 countries of the world. We are not enemies. We are here to help,’’ she said.

     

  • Stop frustrating our anti-graft fight – FG tells Amnesty Int

    The Federal Government has admonished the global anti-corruption body, Transparency International (TI) and local civil society organisations affiliated to it, to stop frustrating its anti corruption fight.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed gave the admonition when he received a TI delegation, led by the Chair of the body’s International Board, Delia Rubio, in Abuja on Friday.

    A statement issued on the meeting  was made available to newsmen on Saturday by Mr Segun Adeyemi, the Special Adviser to the Minister.

    The Minister, specifically, told the global anti-corruption body to support, rather than condemn, the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration’s fight against corruption.

    He said TI and the local civil society organisations affiliated to it had not offered the necessary support to the administration, rather, they look at the actions of an aberrant few to condemn the government.

    To buttress his position, the minister said the body alleged bias when the government disclosed that just 55 people stole N1.34 trillion between 2006 and 2013

    He added that when the government published the list of looters, in response to a challenge from the opposition, a section of the civil society was busy parroting the cliche that the allegations were one-sided.

    Mohammed said Nigeria was succeeding in its anti-corruption fight because the fight was being led by a President whose integrity is beyond reproach.

    “As a policy, this government is the most committed to fighting corruption.

    ‘”Nigeria has never had a more transparent, more accountable government than the Buhari Administration.

    “Even his worst critics won’t say he indulges in or encourages corruption,” he said.

    Mohammed noted that the Administration was not just fighting corruption with laws and prosecution, but also with education and inclusiveness in government.

    He cited the government’s ‘Change Begins With Me’ programme as an example of efforts being made to achieve attitudinal change among the citizenry.

    The minister also explained that Nigeria operates a federal system of government under which the federal government has no control over the actions of the federating states.

    He alleged that corrupt persons were using looted funds to mount a virulous campaign against the administration, especially in the social media, because they know that the re- election of the President will spell doom for them.

    The Minister, therefore, tasked TI and its affiliates to show more understanding for the sociological complexities of fighting corruption in the country.

    He also solicited the support of TI and its affiliates in the area of advocacy and capacity building.

    For her part, the TI global chair said she decided to visit Nigeria, her first-ever visit to Africa, because the country could set the tone for the continent in the fight against corruption.

    She said TI’s mandate is to offer support through civil society organisations and the private sector to foster the fight against corruption.

    She said while the government was  doing a lot to fight corruption, it should ensure more transparency and more efficiency in service delivery.

    ”We are not an opposition anywhere in the world.

    “We are just an NGO working in over 100 countries of the world. We are not enemies. We are here to help,” she said.

    NAN

  • Nigeria to host global tourism meeting —Lai Mohammed

    Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed said yesterday that all is now set for the 61st edition of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Commission for Africa (CAF) meeting in Nigeria. The meeting is scheduled for June 4 to 6 in Abuja.

    The minister, on a visit to Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State in Benin yesterday, said the conference would afford Nigeria the unique opportunity to expose its rich culture to the rest of the world, in addition to exploring the theme, Tourism Statistics: A Catalyst for Development, to generate the much-needed statistics for the development of the tourism sector in Nigeria.

    “In addition to the socio-economic gains, the event will put Nigeria and the nation’s tourism industry in particular, on the world map, attract foreign research experts and promote the necessary network that will form the basis for future co-operation.

    “Nigeria will also get a rare opportunity to showcase itself to the world: Its tourist attractions, its rich culture, as well as its music and films which have become the toast of the world, “ the minister said.

    Alhaji Mohammed, who solicited the support of the Edo State Government towards the successful hosting of the event, said Benin City, being a repository of rich culture, could not be ignored in the preparation for the global tourism meeting, hence the decision to visit the city as part of the ongoing nationwide advocacy tour for the meeting.

    In his remarks, Governor Obaseki said the state government believes in the ability of tourism to significantly contribute to the economic development of the nation in general, and noted that Edo has so much to show the world.

  • Wike is enjoying immunity – FG

    The federal government said on Wednesday it could not probe the assassination allegation made by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike because the governor enjoys immunity.

    Minister of Information Lai Mohammed told reporters after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja that for the fact that the he is enjoying immunity, he would have been invited over his allegation that the Federal government was planning to assassinate him.

    Read Also: Wike needs help, say Amaechi’s men

    Mohammed said: “As for the question about the allegation by the governor of Rivers that he has information that he will be assassinated by the federal government in a crowd., “I think that is one of the beauty of being a governor is that you enjoy immunity from prosecution and arrest.  Because I remember a couple of years ago when I made similar allegations, I was invited to Force Headquarters.”

    But Wike in a statement accused the federal government of caring less about human lives especially when people are being killed daily across the country.

    Wike said because the Federal Government had relegated the sanctity of human lives, that is why they give conflicting reasons for the security challenges that have led to wanton killings in different parts of the country.

    “They don’t care about the issue of the protection of lives and property. That is why people are killed in their numbers every day.

    “But I will not be slaughtered easily. They will not succeed in their plot”, Governor Wike said.

    The governor expressed shock   that rather than say that this weighty intelligence report will be duly investigated; the Minister of Information is struggling to trivialize the matter.

    He said that there are laid down constitutional processes of handling weighty issues of this nature, pointing out that it is unfortunate that the Federal Government has deliberately refused to follow the  constitutional path.