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Tag: Lai Mohammed

  • Presidency yet to receive 2017 Budget – Lai Mohammed

    Presidency yet to receive 2017 Budget – Lai Mohammed

    The Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Wednesday said the Presidency is yet to receive the 2017 Budget passed last week by the National Assembly.

    He, however, said only the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, has advance copy of the budget.

    Mohammed disclosed that the advance copy would be circulated to cabinet members in order to reconcile it will the proposal submitted to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari in December last year.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, the minister said there would be need for harmonization if there are discrepancies in the two documents.

    He was accompanied to the briefing by Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, Minister of FCT, Mohammed Bello and Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu.

    The tradition in the past is for the National Assembly to transmit the passed budget to the President who will then direct the relevant officials to cross-check documents or do so with them.

    Mohammed said: “In respect on the budget, it was only this (Wednesday) morning that the Minister of National Planning informed the council that the budget has been passed. He has not sent to us individually copies of the passed budget.

    “We now need to look at it against what we sent and if there is any discrepancy we will report back to the Minister of Budget and National Planning for harmonization.”

    On whether the National Assembly has transmitted the 2017 Budget to the Executive, he said “not yet but at least the Minister of Budget and National Planning‎ has gotten an advanced copy of what was passed and that is what we need to look at and compare to what we sent. It has not been transmitted officially to the presidency.”

     

     

  • Jollof rice war continues at CBL, as Eko Kings face Warriors

    Jollof rice war continues at CBL, as Eko Kings face Warriors

    The impression was that Nigeria’s Vice President Prof Yemi Osinbajo had settled the jollof rice war after the country’s Information Minister Lai Mohammed had stoked the fire by making an unpopular declaration concerning the ‘fight.’

    But the debate for the country with the best jollof rice is continuing with the Continental Basketball League as Senegalese-American, Ndiaye Rawane has said the best jollof rice is prepared and served in Senegal.

    The 6-10 centre who stars for Lagos City Warriors in the CBL May Madness tournament told the media he was not just in Nigeria for the basketball tournament but would also like to use his time in Lagos to correct the “wrong” impression that Nigeria offers the best jollof rice.

    Please permit me to quickly correct something I heard on my arrival here. It’s not Nigeria that has the best jollof rice; we (Senegal) make the best jollof rice and that’s the undisputed fact.

    When challenged on the spot, the centre from North Carolina, USA maintained his stand. He was, however, quick to add his love for Nigeria despite the jollof rice differences.

    “I have a couple of very good Nigerian friends in North Carolina but it makes a whole lot of difference visiting their place of origin. It’s my first time in Nigeria but I know I will surely have a good time here.”

    Apart from those from other continents, there are players from about 11 African countries in the competition. Thomas Doug of the Lagos City Warriors is an American power forward also in Lagos for the pro basketball jams. He also got a taste of the jollof rice war even before he could get a spoon of the cuisine.

    “The jollof rice matter has touched me because of the way it’s been discussed and so I am now really interested. There was so much debate in the bus that conveyed us from the airport to the hotel on arrival. The jollof rice argument got me laughing.”

    Today the players will put aside the cuisine arguments as Eko Kings take on Lagos Warriors from 7pm in the only match of the day at the Teslim Balogun Stadium. The Kings have won their two games, while the Warriors will be looking to get their first win this Pan African tournament set across Lagos, Yaounde and Libreville.

    In the last games played on Sunday, Yaoundé Giants and Eko Kings won their second games to stay one hundred percent. Giants captained by Christian Bayang defeated Lagos City Stars 92-64 in the first of the two matches played on Sunday. The experienced guard shot 11 points as the Cameroonian team won their second straight games. The crowd favourite and Giants point guard Jones Esters led scoring on both sides hitting 27 points. The American shot 87.5 from the free throw line. Prinsloo who shot 24 points led City Stars.

  • Buhari’s anti-corruption score card impressive – Lai Mohammed

    Buhari’s anti-corruption score card impressive – Lai Mohammed

    … More looters will be prosecuted soon – Minister

    In what appeared a subtle reply to critics, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Tuesday said the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has a good story to tell on anti-corruption war and other agenda.

    Mohammed said the government had taken on corruption at its core in the last two years.

    He also said more treasury looters would be prosecuted and convicted very soon.

    The minister made the disclosures at the Special (10th) Edition of the Town Hall Meeting in Abuja following swipes from the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara on the government’s anti-graft crusade.

    He said the present administration has a good story to tell on its agenda, especially the fight against corruption.

    He said: “Let me say straightaway that in giving this mid-term report, I am convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that this administration has a story to tell, a story of achievements that – if we are able to continue along this path – will stand the test of time and put our dear nation on the path of sustainable growth and development.

    “We have taken on corruption at its core. There are more prosecutions and there will be more convictions for public sector corruption than Nigeria has ever seen.

    “We have acted to address the leakages in government spending that make corruption possible. Through the zero- based budgeting and the Treasury Singles Account (TSA), the government’s efficiency unit and the hugely successful whistle-blower policy.”

    The minister said the government is waging the war against corruption because of its interest in the future prosperity of Nigerians

    He added: “At the same time, corruption levels in our society had become completely unacceptable. The brazenness and impunity of those involved, and the lack of accountability at all levels of society had to be addressed if we were to create the foundations for future prosperity.

    “That future prosperity, for all Nigerians, was the overriding objective of the administration. We were, and remain, 100 per cent committed to delivering an economy that enables all Nigerian’s to achieve their ambitions, no matter how big, or small.”

    Mohammed spoke on other achievements of the administration of President Buhari.

    He said: “When President Buhari was inaugurated on May 29th 2015, he set out an ambitious agenda to take on the most pressing challenges our nation faces. It is important to remember the context of that speech, and the situation that we faced at that time.

    “As he was speaking, Boko Haram was in control of a significant part of Nigeria’s North-East. In Borno State alone, Boko Haram occupied 24 out of the State’s 27 local councils. The territorial integrity of Nigeria was threatened. Our first and most pressing assignment, therefore, was to restore security to the nation.

    “We have restored security to the North-East and ended the scourge of Boko Haram.

    “We are addressing comprehensively the issues in the Niger Delta that make the production of our oil resources so vulnerable. We are restoring the sanctity of our judicial system and we are implementing an economic recovery and growth plan designed to reset our economy and remove our reliance on oil production, and oil revenues, forever.”

  • Funding, major challenge to development of museums — Official

    The National Commission for Museums and Monuments has described funding as a major challenge to the development of monuments and museums in the country.

    The Direction of Museums, Mr Peter Odey made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Kaduna State.

    Odey said that lack of funds had affected most of the museums, which had limited their ability to carry out most activities.

    “There are so many activities needed to develop our museums and monuments but due to inadequate funding, most of our activities are on hold.

    “Museums are institutions that are involved in the development of the society.

    “They are nonprofit institutions that contribute to the development of the society, which enable people know the difference between the past and present.

    “But with the little funds we have, we are trying to upgrade some museums like the one in Kaduna which has been shut down for the past three years. ’’

    Odey said that one of the plans of the government was to develop tourism through well-equipped museums to attract tourists.

    He commended the ongoing effort by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed to develop the tourism through collaboration with private sector.

    “Tourism master plan has been developed and is waiting for implementation.

    “The minister is collaborating with private sector and state governments to develop some sites.

    “This is because museums are the first place of visit when people come visiting because they want to know about the culture of the people.

    “Also Lagos State government is collaborating through the state ministry with commission to build a new museum in the state.’’

     

  • ‘Chibok girls release: PDP insensitive, exhibits disdain for human life’

    ‘Chibok girls release: PDP insensitive, exhibits disdain for human life’

    The Federal Government says the incautious statement by a faction of PDP criticizing the process leading to the release of the 82 Chibok girls further exhibits the party’s disdain for human life.

    In a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed described the statement as “indecent, inhuman and ill-timed”.

    The minister, in the release signed by his Special Adviser, Mr Segun Adeyemi, said it was insensitive for any individual or organization to spoil the joy that heralded the release of the girls because of politics.

    “It is clear that the kind of disdain for human life which the PDP exhibited in its incautious statement is the same reason the poor girls were kidnapped in the first instance.

    “It is also this attitude the then PDP-controlled Federal Government took that seemed an eternity before even acknowledging the abduction, thus losing critical time for their rescue.

    He noted that from the statement, it was clear that the PDP, whose incompetence and the cluelessness precipitated the Chibok girls crisis was not wishing and praying for it to end with the safe return of the abducted girls.

    The minister recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had stated that the defeat of Boko Haram would not be complete without the rescue of the Chibok girls.

    “If that includes swapping some Boko Haram elements for the girls, so what? Will the PDP rather have the girls stay in perpetual captivity, just to prove a ludicrous point?

    “Didn’t superpower United States engage in negotiations with the Taliban that led to the exchange of five Taliban fighters for US Army Sgt Bowe Bergdahl in 2014?

    “Didn’t Israel release 1,027 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for one Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit in 2011?

    “A lot of factors come into play when a nation has to decide whether or not to engage in prisoner/hostage swap.

    “None, however, trounces the sanctity attached to human life and the consideration for the pains of the loved ones of those involved,” he said.

    The minister stressed that since the PDP failed to rescue even one of the Chibok girls, the party should hold its peace while the administration continued to seek the release of all the abducted girls, using every means at its disposal.

    He reassured that the administration would continue to work assiduously to end all Boko Haram hostilities.

  • Buhari not being fed through veins – Lai Mohammed

    Buhari not being fed through veins – Lai Mohammed

    The Federal Government on Wednesday denied report that President Muhammadu Buhari was being fed through intravenous injections.

    A media report had claimed that the President was so sick that he could not eat by himself and was being fed through the veins.

    Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, said the report was false.

    According to him, the President did not attend the FEC meeting on Wednesday because he was obeying doctors’ advice to rest well in order to recover fully.

    He said: “Why the President was not at the meeting. You are also aware that the President was at his office yesterday (Tuesday), and he worked at his office yesterday. A few days before now we came out to say he’s been asked to take some rest by his doctors, and he chose today (Wednesday) to rest and not to attend the Federal Executive Council meeting.

    “We want to take this opportunity to thank Nigerians who have expressed a lot of concern and sympathy, and who have been praying for him. Like we’ve always said, Mr. President will stick to his doctors’ advice so that he can recover much more quickly.”

    On those Nigerians advising the President to go on another medical vacation, he said “We thank all of them for their concern, I think it shows how concerned Nigerians are about the health of the President. And all their suggestions are being taken on board.”

    Speaking on the report claiming that Buhari was being fed through the veins, he added “the answer to your first question is absolute bunkum. It is absolutely untrue that he is being fed through veins. He was in the office yesterday as you all reported. And if the doctors say he should take a rest I think you’ll recover faster when you rest when you ought to rest, rather than by forcing yourself to work when you are not fit to work.

    “All he is doing is he is following the doctor’s advice. Mr. President himself told the nation he has never been this sick and he is going to take it easy. He said it from day one when he came back from the UK.

    “So, whatever is happening today is not any strange development, it is exactly what he said. That he’s been advised to take it easy by his doctors and that he will soon also go back for further treatment.”

     

     

  • Nigeria to Partner UNWTO, CNN to Promote Tourism

    Nigeria to Partner UNWTO, CNN to Promote Tourism

    The Federal Government has announced a tripartite partnership involving the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), and global news leader, CNN to promote tourism in Nigeria.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, announced the plan at the Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) in Lagos on Tuesday.

    He said the partnership would leverage on Nigeria’s film industry popularly known as Nollywood.

    Mohammed said that talks were at an advanced stage to forge a “very strong and effective partnership to use our comparative advantage in film production, through Nollywood, to promote tourism in Nigeria’.

    “This is a path we have not trodden before, but which we are sure will go a long way in making it possible for us to push tourism from the back-burner to the mainstream of the economy,” he said.

    Mohammed said that more details of the partnership would be provided in the days ahead.

    He appealed to tourism stakeholders to work with the Federal Government to ensure the success of the 2018 UNWTO CAF Meeting to be hosted in Abuja.

    Nigeria won the hosting right of the meeting at the last edition of the meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in April.

    ”As many of you are aware, Nigeria recently won the right to host the annual UNWTO CAF Meeting in Abuja in 2018.

    “Yes, this is not the first time Nigeria will be hosting this meeting, but this time we must leverage on the meeting as a platform to promote Nigeria as a preferred tourism destination,” he said.

    The minister urged the private sector to partner with the government to grow the tourism industry and provide the necessary skills, competencies and ingredients for growth and progress.

    “Stakeholders are also invited to package and promote Nigerian destinations, goods and services.

    “This will create direct and indirect employment through tourism, grow the economy, increase the national GDP, position Nigeria as an all-year-round tourism destination and establish a worthwhile, acceptable and recognisable image of the country among tourists.

    “Let us all tour Nigeria, let us all consume more of made in Nigeria, and let us all know more of our heritage. Let us all celebrate Nigeria,” he said.

    Mohammed said as part of efforts to improve Nigeria’s ranking on the Tourism Competitive Index of the World Travel and Tourism Council, the government had set up a Presidential Council on the Ease of Doing Business.

  • Lai Mohammed to T.B Joshua: Stay in Nigeria

    Lai Mohammed to T.B Joshua: Stay in Nigeria

    The Minister Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, on Tuesday urged the founder of Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Pastor Temitope  Balogun Joshua (T.B. Joshua) to reconsider his decision to relocate from Nigeria, saying such move will not in the best of the country.

    The Synagogue founder has said during a church service on March 30 that he would relocate from Nigeria to Israel over what he described as hostile operating environment.

    He said, “This is the most persecuted ministry in the world. Who are the people persecuting the ministry? My people, Africa.

    “That is why I choose to live a lonely life. If you want to see me, come to this church. I don’t go out. It has not been easy – because I don’t know who is a friend or who is an enemy. If you learn T.B. Joshua is not around, I am in a revival. I live in the church here. I don’t have a house outside.”

    “What happened to me from the beginning of my ministry is enough to chase me out of this country. But I am still in your midst. Upon the persecution and hatred, I decided to follow the path of love. You show hatred; I show love. When I go for a revival, you will see the stadium full but I am not carried away by that. I leave where I’m celebrated to live where I’m persecuted.”

    However, the minister, in a chat with journalists during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Nigerian  Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), held in Ikeja, Lagos, described Joshua’s decision as unfortunate.

    Mohammed called for dialogue between the pastor and the authorities over whatever challenges he was facing.

    He said, “That will be very unfortunate in the sense that if he does move out, it will affect our tourism in Nigeria. Pastor Joshua is an important person, he must bear with us. This is his country. If he moves out and go to South Africa (for example), the revenue will go to South Africa. It is better that Pastor Joshua sits down with the relevant authority and resolve whatever problem he has. If I have access to him this is exactly what I am going to tell him.”

     

  • Osinbajo scores Nigerian ‘Jollof rice’ high

    Osinbajo scores Nigerian ‘Jollof rice’ high

    Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Nigeria’s Vice-President on Monday described Nigerian-cooked jollof rice as “the best in the world”.

    The New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that recently, while responding to a question by Richard Quest, CNN International business editor, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, was quoted to have said that the Senegalese make the best jollof rice on the continent.

    Although Quest made attempt to defend the minister, saying the minister did not hear his answer correctly, the incident sparked off unpleasant reactions on social media among a cross-section of Nigerians.

    The Vice-President gave the score card while speaking at “The Platform Nigeria,” a Global Media live broadcast LIVE on Channels TV and online convened by Poju Oyemade, Senior Pastor of the Covenant Christian Centre, in Lagos.

    He said:“And by the way, we all know that Nigerian jollof rice is the best, we beat the Ghanaians and the Senegalese hands down.”

    “We have everything, and our people are doing incredibly innovative things.

    “Our music and entertainment industry is the fastest growing in the world,and of course, nobody is as funny as Nigerians, whether professional or amateur,” he noted.

    The VP also extolled Nigerians innovative feats in various fields,especially in recent times.

    “Last year Oluyinka Olutoye, a Nigerian surgeon successfully took out a baby from her mother’s womb, operated on the womb, and put the baby back in.

    “The baby was carried full term and was born naturally – a feat previously unheard of.

    “Only last year, a Nigerian girl Morolake Akinosun won a gold medal at the Olympics.

    “Last Saturday, a Nigerian boxer Anthony Oluwafemi Joshua won the WBA, becoming the boxing champion of the world.”

    Jollof rice is a staple meal among Africans, however over the years, Nigerians, Ghanaians, Senegalese and other African countries have claimed to make the best of the meal.

  • We will Invite Anthony Joshua to Nigeria Soon says FG

    We will Invite Anthony Joshua to Nigeria Soon says FG

    The federal government of Nigeria is not ruling out the possibility of inviting the newest heavyweight world champion, Anthony Olaseni Joshua to the country any time soon.

    Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed had hinted about extending an invitation to the British boxer.

    Recall that at the weekend, Joshua, who is of Nigerian descent, defeated Wladimir Klitschko, a far more experienced boxer, to emerge heavyweight champion.

    In a statement issued by Segun Adeyemi, media aide of the minister, on Tuesday, Mohammed congratulated the pugilist on his feat.

    He said the government would invite him to the country since he had indicated he would like to give something back to Nigeria.

    The minister said Nigeria was proud to be associated with the new unified world champion, whose Nigerian heritage he has publicly acknowledged

    “My heart is in Nigeria, My heart is in Britain. I am a Nigerian man by blood, yes,” he quoted Joshua as saying in a recent interview, during which the boxer also said the secret of his success was eating pounded yam, eba and egusi.

    He hailed Joshua for his humility, despite his success in boxing, and his undying spirit, coming off the canvas after he was knocked down by Klitschko in the sixth round to win by a technical knockout in the 11th round of their pulsating fight

    “Alhaji Mohammed said the government will soon invite the new world heavyweight champion to Nigeria, especially as he has said he is looking forward to giving something back to the country‎,” the statement read.