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Tag: Lai Mohammed

  • I do not have $1.2bn in any account – Lai Mohammed

    I do not have $1.2bn in any account – Lai Mohammed

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed says the report that he has 1.2 billion dollars (about N400 billion) in his imaginary bank account is “fake and vicious’’.

    The minister stated this on Thursday in Ilorin at the Annual National Conference and General Meeting of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) with the theme; “Communicating Values for Development and Sustainability’’.

    The minister said that the report was invented by opposition and naysayers to malign him and the government, adding that the alleged fund is about the budget of his ministry for 25 years.

    “How else can you explain that people will believe and circulate a fake report that the Minister of Information and Culture that is yours truly has 1.2 billion dollars in his imaginary bank account?

    “Let’s examine this for a moment. 1.2 billion dollars is about N400 billion.

    “The entire yearly budget of the Ministry of Information and Culture, where I preside, is under 15 billion Naira and these include salaries, overhead and capital projects.

    “Assuming, without conceding that the Minister somehow manages to transfer the entire budget into his personal account, it will take 25 years for him to amass N400 billion.

    “Yet, this disinformation was lapped up by the public, he said.

    The minister said that similar imaginary huge sums of money had been credited to other ministers.

    He condemned the ugly trend by opposition, who were inventing the fake and malicious stories using bloggers and some online media to malign government officials.

    According to him, the intention of the perpetrators and carriers of the reports are to distract the government to lose focus, but it will not fall to their antics.

    The minister said that Public Relations gave him the first break in life being the profession he practiced after his graduation for over 40 years.

    Mohammed, a Fellow of the Institute said that the theme of the conference was apt and called on NIPR members to be proactive in the discharge of their duties.

    “You must neither be intimidated, cowed nor be overwhelmed by the cynics, you must set your own agenda and daily review such with a view to improving on them.

    “You must never lose touch with your traditional constituents. You must understand the tactics of the opposition, which is ambush and irrational,’’ he said.

    The minister specifically tasked

    government information managers to equip themselves with qualities such as integrity, courage, abnormal capacity for hard work, ingenuity resourcefulness and ability to think out of the box.

    The President and Chairman Governing Council of NIPR, Dr Rotimi Oladele said the conference was to deliberate on how the profession could be used to promote communication values for development.

    He underscored the need for practitioners to showcase national values and present them to global market.

    Oladele commended the minister for the support given to the Institute and for creating time to attend the event.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the minister also inaugurated a new Governing Council for the Institute to run for two years under the leadership of Oladele.

    Some of the members of the Council are, former Defence Spokesperson, retired Gen. Chris Olukolade, former Director of Press and Protocol in the Ministry of Information and Culture, Mr Peter Dama and his successor, Mr Timothy Oyedeji.

    Others are Mr Wale Adeniyi of Nigeria Customs Service, Alhaji Sule Yau a former Chief Press Secretary to Kano State Government and Alhaja Bola Osifeso.

    NAN also reports that 10 members of NIPR were inducted to Fellowship of the Institute.

  • Buhari opts to work from home – Lai Mohammed

    Buhari opts to work from home – Lai Mohammed

    The Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Wednesday said President was absent at the day’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting because he has opted to work from home.

    He said the President has already called for files requiring his attention to be moved to his official residence.

    The minister said: “We just concluded the Federal Executive Council meeting, I’m sure you noticed that the President was not there. He was not there because he asked that he be allowed to rest and asked the vice president to preside.

    “And he will be working from home. He has asked all his files to be taken to him in the house. He will be working from home today.”

    Mohammed added that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo will visit the President at home later in the day.

    It would be recalled that President Buhari was also absent at the last FEC meeting held two weeks in Abuja.

    Wednesday’s meeting, which lasted about two hours, was chaired by Osinbajo.

    At the end of the meeting, the minister told State House correspondents that the President needed to rest and had directed the vice president to preside over the meeting.

     

     

  • African drums festival symbol of unity, say Amosun, Soyinka, others

    African drums festival symbol of unity, say Amosun, Soyinka, others

    Eminent Nigerians including the Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Minister for Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed and traditional rulers have hailed the on – going African Drums Festival in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, as one that would “foster greater unity and Cooper action among Nigerians and African nations.”

    The festival featured an  array of performing troupes from five countries and over 15 States of Nigeria including the Konkere beats troupe run by a  University of Lagos lecturer, Dr. Tunji Sotimirin, with all showcasing their unique drums and dances to thrill of enthusiastic crowd of  dignitaries, tourists and participants.

    Amosun who declared it opened with the beating of the acclaimed 18 feet tallest drum in the world, said the event which began as Nigerian Drums festival last year, was upgraded to African Drums Festival because of the national and continental support the maiden edition received.

    The Governor said the festival was an avenue to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the Gateway State and project it to a global reckoning.

    “The need to sustain the legacy of the maiden edition and provide platform for participation of the states in Nigeria, African countries and the world made this administration to further expand the scope and call it African Drums Festival 2017.

    “We therefore, believe that this event will among other things, project the uniqueness of African culture in a more positive light; open up new vistas for African cultural artifacts as viable tool for social-economic development as well as broaden the knowledge of all and sundry to the varied drums and dances that are peculiar to multi-ethnic groups in Africa.

    “It is expected that this platform will also re-energise the cultural zeal in the minds of our people and the resultant cultural resurgence will in the long run, help us to appreciate our African culture more than before and forge ahead culturally on a united front,” Amosun said.

    In his remarks, Soyinka who noted that Ogun State is always first in pioneering best and great things in Nigeria, said it should not be a surprise that a festival to that has a unifying force for all tribes and Africans was initiated in Ogun.

    He recalled that the Afro beat music originated by the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti started in Ogun State before he spread to Lagos and the rest of the world.

    Also,  the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who was represented  by the Director, National Troupe, Mr. Tar Ukoh, said the festival has great potential to unite Nigerians as well as promote pan-African unity and increased inter – African economic trade.

    Mohammed urged other states to walk the path of Ogun state in its bid to use arts and culture to reinvigorate the tourism potentials of the state for socio – economic development and investment.

    The Minister reiterated President Muhammadu Buhari’s determination to diversify the nation’s economy from  oil to  non-oil sectors like agriculture, solid minerals and tourism.

    In their separate goodwill messages, the royal fathers – the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo and the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, all pushed  for the promotion of African cultural values and norms by governments.

    The Alake, Oba Gbadebo  urged governors of other states  to identify other aspects of Nigerian culture  and propagate them.

    He said the era where states have depend free oil money from Abuja is gone for good and charged governors to develop the tourism potentials of their respective states and turn them in foreign currency earners.

    In his message, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi  highlighted the place of drums Yoruba ethnic nationality, saying drums are used as a veritable tools to remind obas to responsible and accountable to the affairs of their domains.

    “Drums are important tools that accompany monarchs and warriors to the war-front and act as source from which they draw encouragement and courage as well as indicate to them when to withdraw or advance into battle.

    “Drums are also used to announce the deaths of some important personalities in Yoruba land.” Alaafin said.

    In an interview with The Nation, Sotimirin, said the festival is an opportunity to reinforce the place drums in the traditional lives of the people.

    He cited gbedu and bata drums as having significant place in the traditional setting of the people.

    “The gbedu drums are used in palaces to herald an Oba. Once you hear the sound, no matter where you are, you know it is for royalty. With other countries like Haiti, Congo, Burkina Faso and others participating, it shows that the importance of drums have gone global. Therefore, it is time to intensify the celebration for both social and economic gains,” he said.

     

  • World leaders endorse Buhari’s programmes, efforts – Lai Mohammed

    World leaders endorse Buhari’s programmes, efforts – Lai Mohammed

    The right won by Nigeria to host the United Nation World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) conference in 2018 has been described as “a global endorsement of programmes and efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration”.

    Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said on Thursday in Addis Ababa that the hosting right reiterated the confidence the global community has in Nigeria.

    Nigeria, on Wednesday, won the right to host, in 2018, the 61st meeting of African Ministers in charge of Tourism tagged UNWTO Commission for Africa (CAF)

    Mohammed, who led Nigeria’s delegation to Addis Ababa for the 59th edition of the meeting and a high level meeting on Chinese Outbound Tourism in Africa, said the country would leverage on the hosting opportunity.

    “Wednesday was a big moment for Nigeria here in Addis Ababa because Nigeria got the endorsement of the whole world to host the 61st session of the CAF mission of the UNTWO.

    “What that means really is that the entire world has endorsed the programmes and efforts of President Buhari’s administration,” he said.

    Mohammed said that hosting the conference should be seen in a bigger picture that “Nigeria “is once again on the global stage”.

    He said the event would provide the country, the opportunity to showcase its diverse culture and give its own narrative from its own perspective.

    “Hosting this conference will give confidence to investors that this is a country they can come and invest in.

    “It will also convince the entire world that Nigeria is serious in promoting culture, music, film and entertainment industry to diversify its economy,” he said.

    The minister said that no amount of money invested in hosting the conference could be seen as waste because of the goodwill it will bring to the country.

    He said so many other countries were bidding to host the event to boost their tourism industry and attract goodwill to their nations.

    Speaking in same vein, the Secretary General of UNWTO, Taleb Rifa said “the endorsement of Nigeria for the hosting of 61st CAF “is a great piece of news for the country”.

    “I am absolutely sure that with the hosting of the CAF meeting, you will see that the Nigeria’s tourism industry will get on the right track and achieve results.

    “In addition to the direct economic benefits this event will bring to the country, the limelight the country will be exposed to is unquantifiable.

    “Nigeria will be hosting all Ministers of Tourism in Africa, that itself will send the powerful message that tourism is important for Nigeria.”

    Rifai said Nigeria was a major player in tourism industry and the UNTWO had missed the country in its fold until the minister launched it back last year.

    “Nigeria is one third in times of number and the weight it represents in the arts, the movie and the creative industry in general in Africa.

    “What comes out of Nigeria in these areas of the industry is enough to be disseminated to the whole world.

    “However, Nigeria is not utilising that yet and this conference will be a great opportunity to realise that,’’ he said.

    Rifai commended the passion and efforts of the minister at repositioning the tourism and creative sector.

     

  • African Drums Festival commences in Abeokuta

    The African Drums Festival commenced in Abeokuta, Ogun, on Thursday with more than 20 cultural troupes from about 13 countries from the continent in attendance.

    The festival, which is an expanded form of the maiden edition of the Nigerian Drums Festival held in Abeokuta in 2016, also drew participants from Haiti and observers from Dallas in the United States.

    The Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in his remarks described the festival as “a development worthy of emulation by other states.’’

    He noted that such festival would further invigorate the strides of the government in tourism investment and development.

    “The Muhammadu Buhari -led administration is determined to pursue with relentless vigour the diversification of our present mono reliance on an oil economy to massive investment in non-oil sectors   like agriculture, solid minerals and tourism.” he said.

    Mohammed, who was represented by the Artistic Director of the National Troupe of Nigeria, Mr Tar Ukor, noted that such festivals would promote pan-African unity and increased inter – African economic trade as well as enhanced local value chain benefits.

    “This festival will also promote inter-African leisure travel and the renaissance of our African cultural milestones in contributing toward  civilisation.

    “It will engender cultural reawakening in Africa on shared values and fraternal solidarity within the region,’’ he said.

    Gov. Ibikunle Amosun said the festival was a platform to showcase the rich cultural heritage of the people of Ogun and to also stamp Nigeria on the world map.

    He gave an assurance that the state would continue to explore different aspects of the Nigerian culture with a view to promoting and preserving them.

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, urged states to focus on other aspects of the Nigerian culture with a view to propagating them.

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, noted that drums occupy an important place in   Yoruba culture.

    “Drums are used to wake Yoruba monarchs early in the morning reminding them of their oaths to adjudicate among their subjects without fear or favour.

    “Drums are important tools that accompany monarchs and warriors to the warfront and act as source from which they draw encouragement and courage as well as indicate to them when to withdraw or advance into battle.

    “Drums are also used to announce the deaths of some important personalities in Yorubaland,” he said.

    Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, said rhythms from drums “are enchanting.’’

    He described as erroneous the belief that culture involves some demonic and satanic practices.

    Soyinka, who commended the Ogun government for the initiative, noted that many great things in Nigeria began from Ogun.

     

  • Buhari not sick, says Lai Mohammed 

    Buhari not sick, says Lai Mohammed 

    The Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed on Wednesday disowned media reports suggesting that President Muhammadu Buhari was ill and that was the reason for his absence at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

    Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting presided by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the Information Minister said that the President was hail and healthy and carrying out other state functions during the FEC meeting.

    He was with the Minister of State for Health, Osagie Ehinare and Minister of State for Environment, Ibrahim Jubril.

    The Information Minister said that the absence of Buhari at FEC didn’t mean that he was not working.

    He said; “I want to make some remarks on what I think is trending. Clearly when you came in this morning, Mr. President was not in the chamber and the Vice President did preside over the council meeting. Understandably, that has sparked controversies and agitations in the mind of the people. I just want to make this clear that Mr. President is in town, Mr. President is attending to other issues.

    “Mr. President looked at the agenda, a very light agenda, and decided that the Vice president should preside. It is not unusual for the kind of interest that has been shown, especially given the fact that Mr. President was away for a while on medical treatment. We are not surprised that people will be wondering if the President is ill again.

    “He is not ill, he is not sick. I am sure that later in the day or tomorrow morning he will be back in the office. I just want to clear that misconception. It’s not unusual, even if the President is hail and hearty and everything going on well, for the Vice President to preside over the FEC meeting.

    “The fact that Mr. President is not in the office does not mean he is not working. I have just been told that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation is with him at the residence and they are working. The fact that you did not see him in the office, did not mean he is not working at all,” he added

    Ehinare disclosed that 420,000 persons have been vaccinated against meningitis type C in Zamfara State.

    While there are 4,637 suspected cases in the country, the Minister said that 489 persons have died from the disease.

    He said that 823,000 vaccines are expected this week from the United Kingdom.

    The Minister of State for Environment said that FEC ratified the universal convention banning the use of mercury.

    He said that Nigeria was among the 128 countries that signed the convention while 50 countries are needed to ratify it to make it effective.

    So far, he said, about 40 countries have ratified the convention.

     

  • Buhari not sick – Lai Mohammed

    Buhari not sick – Lai Mohammed

    The Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, on Wednesday disowned media reports suggesting that President Muhammadu Buhari was ill and that was the reason for his absence at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.

    Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the minister said the President was hail and healthy and carrying out other state functions during the FEC meeting.

    He said the fact that Buhari was not at FEC meeting didn’t mean that he was not working.

  • FG has no plans to sell National Theatre to Lagos – Lai Mohammed

    FG has no plans to sell National Theatre to Lagos – Lai Mohammed

    The Federal Government has no plans to sell the National Art Theatre to the Lagos State Government, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has said.

    Mohammed made this known on Tuesday night at a dinner with Nigerian TV and online content developers attending the ongoing MIPTV in Cannes, France.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that MIPTV is an annual leading TV and online content development event and the largest global distribution television and digital content market.

    The minister who described the Arts Theatre as a national monument, stressed that it was impossible for anyone to sell any asset of government without following the due process and clear cut rules.

    He explained that the Lagos government offered to renovate the main bowl of the theatre, two cinema halls, the exhibition lobby and the banquet hall as part of its collaboration with the federal government.

    “I want to say it loud and clear that there is no iota of truth in the rumour that we are selling the national theatre to the Lagos state government.

    “We do not have the capacity to do so and will never do so.

    “What is happening is that we are fortunate to have a governor like Akinwumi Ambode of Lagos who is very passionate about the creative industry.

    “The governor decided that he is going to mark the 50th anniversary of Lagos with cultural activities, films, music and he was looking for a befitting venue.

    “He now decided to take the opportunity of this 50th anniversary to collaborate with the federal government to revamp the national theatre to use it as a venue for most of the programmes and at the same time laid the foundation for a viral and dynamic creative industry,” he said.

    The minister noted that the whole essence of the collaboration for the renovation of the theatre is to ensure that the national asset did not go into ruins.

    “The governor is asking for nothing, rather he is foresighted in knowing that a renovated and functional national theatre will be a catalyst for the film industry, theatre art, music.

    “He also realised that by revamping the theatre, more young men and women will be able to exhibit their talents and more jobs will be created and more taxes will accrue to Lagos state purse.

    “Therefore, for everybody it is a win-win situation and there is no attempt whatsoever to sell any national asset to anybody,” he said

    NAN reports that the dinner was hosted by the Director General of National Broadcasting Commission, Modibbo Kawu.

    Some of the TV and online content developers at the dinner were, Mr Tajudeen Adepetu the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Soundcity, ONTVand ONMAX, Mr Jason Njoku the CEO of Iroko TV and Ijeoma Onah of Aforevo TV, a French Nollywood Channel.

  • Abuja Airport runway repairs about 58% ready

    Abuja Airport runway repairs about 58% ready

    The Federal Government Thursday said the runway repairs ongoing at the Nnamdi Azikwe International airport is 57.5 percent completed.

    The FG also disclosed that escalators, lifts and lounge will be installed at Terminal building to ease the movement for the aged and the physically challenged.

    Also, since flight operations were moved to Kaduna International Airport, the federal government said it has witnessed about 1,119 domestic flights operation and 50 international flights.

    This was disclosed in Abuja Thursday after the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika and the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed inspected the extent of work done three weeks into the closure of the runway.

    Sirika said: “Without going deep into the reasons why the airport had to be closed; basically because of safety, the runway had completely failed at several sections, making it impossible to take the option of repairs at night and operating by day.

    “Here we are, we choose the decision in the interest of safety and we commenced. Work is going on smoothly and everything is in order.

    “From the programme of work, we were supposed to import all necessary materials that need to be imported and those that are local be sourced and at the work site, the contractor has mobilized fully and we have done now about 57.5 percent of the total work which is good and which shows that we are on time and that we are doing what we are supposed to do to ensure that the runway is opened come 19th of April.”

    On other works that is ongoing at the airport, he said: “we are on course and this runway will be opened on the 19th of April and it will not only be opened, the terminal building will wear a new look.

    “We are doing complete rehabilitation of Wing D at the airport. We will put escalators and lifts for departure at that terminal.

    “Also, we are opening up a lounge for the disable, challenged and elderly. This in response from our thoughts and the feedback we get including the feedback from Omojuwa who said he hopes it will be opened with lift for the elderly and the challenged.

    “It has been part of what we planned, so we are speaking in the same language with users of our service.

    “In the Terminal B, we are building a new lift also, constructing it to install and of course, toilets and other artillery services will be provided. So, the benefit of this closure means that we are having improved terminal.

    “A terminal that is more robust, take more passengers and create seamless flow, international and local passengers not mixing. They will go to different sides of the airport entirely and that is according to international standards, ICAO standards and recommended practices.

    “So, the airport will be more compliant if you ask me and more functional and efficient at the time it will be opened”, he said.

    Speaking on some materials that were imported for the purpose of the rehabilitation, he said: “I am being asked what is imported for this purpose; there is a new technology where glass grid is put in the process of constructing the runway to reinforce it, to give it extra strength and prevent cracks.

    “This is the first time any Nigerian runway is being treated with such material and that material is a 50 tonner. We had to fly it in to Nigeria to ensure that it comes in time for this job and you have seen samples of it.

    He added: “The runway work is going according to plan and you could also see that we are working simultaneously. Whilst the surface work is being finished, the installation of lightings are going on at the same time, channels are being cut for the laying of wires and also installation of lights at the same time.”

    On the statistics of passengers and flight operation in Kaduna since the closure of the Abuja airport runway, Sirika said: “We have had about 50 international flights out of Kaduna, we have moved about 4000 international passengers out of Kaduna and about 73,000 domestic passengers and about 1,119 aircraft movement for domestics.

    “There are inconveniences for people but I am sure Nigerians are in support in the interest of safety.”

    On whether there will be any delay if rain falls before the 23 of April, the date predicted by NiMet for rain to start in Abuja, the Minister said: “there won’t be disruption because we have factored that into our thoughts.

    “So long as we don’t get some surprises, even though science and technology is factual, and precise, something can go wrong and God can decide to do something different but so long it is normal rain that will set in and go away as we envisaged, it is not going to disrupt our operation but if it something beyond the usual that can tamper, of course it will tamper but all the same, I think with all of that, we will be able to reopen on the 19th.”

    On the delay of flight operation from Kaduna to London, Sirika said: “the operations that would have happened on Monday for us to fly direct to London was on course until that Monday.

    “We had couple of issues with the local carrier we wanted to partner with. The aircraft is available, the route is available, the capacity and ability of the local partner; but we have some issues which is being considered.

    “We were of the belief that everything was okay and that is why we projected Monday, however, as soon as that is sorted out, we will commence that flight.

    “Our intent is to make all of our airport, regardless to be able to access the world through them, so we are taking them seriously. So, I will update you as soon as I have an uodate”, he added.

    Also speaking, Lai Mohammed assured that the six weeks promised will not be extended.

    He said: “We believe it is befitting that we bring you here again since we are three weeks gone from the six weeks we promised to see the extent of the work that has been done.

    “This is to reiterate that the six weeks we promised the world is still valid and we don’t intend to give any excuses.”

     

  • Why we won’t reveal Buhari’s health spendings – Lai Mohammed

    Why we won’t reveal Buhari’s health spendings – Lai Mohammed

    …F.G sets up panel to smoothen Executive, Legislative relation 

    The Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed on Wednesday said that disclosing how much President Muhammadu Buhari spents on his medical vacation in the United Kingdom may jeopardize national security.

    The President, who returned to Nigeria on March 10th, had spent about 50 days in the UK where he carried out some medical tests.

    He had also in June last year embarked on medical trip abroad.

    Even though the President’s health status and ailment is yet to be made public, the President had disclosed on his return to the country on Friday 10th March that he received blood transfusion during the vacation.

    The Minister, who briefed State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari, was reacting to the calls for the President to disclose the amount spent on his medical treatment abroad.

    He was with the Minister of Interior, Abdulraman Danbazzu and the Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun

    According to Mohammed, it was too sensitive to disclose the amount spent on the President’s health.

    He said: “This matter has come several times and our position on the matter is quite straight forward.  What are the President’s conditions of service? What are his entitlements in terms of his wellbeing and health care? The state is supposed to take responsibility for these.

    “We believe that asking for how much has been spent on the health of the President is an issue that we should weigh very well both for national security and also for moral issues.

    “I don’t know why we must divulge such very sensitive information. I might be wrong but I don’t have experience elsewhere that the President of any country will be ill and be forced to disclose how much the state has spent on his health.

    ‘Yes, there is Freedom of Information Act but it is also carved in such a way that when such information is likely to endanger national security, I think it is an area that is not covered.” he said

    He also said that the executive is concerned that the relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government is not as smooth as it is supposed to be.

    Although he noted that it is a continuous struggle in any democracy for balancing between the Executive and the Legislature because each of them are creatures of the law.

    With the not too cordial relationship between the two arms of government due to issues concerning the Comptroller General of Customs, Hameed Ali, the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal, the Minister said a committee is already working to smoothen the relationship.

    He said “We must strive at all times to ensure that there is that balance, amity and smooth relationship.

    “Just today at the Federal Executive Council meeting, the issue was discussed and a committee is already working on ensuring that we resolve all these outstanding issues.

    Speaking on the protest by unions in his ministry, Mohammed said that it is not unusual for unions to call for the removal of ministers.

    He said “They are complaining about welfare but there is a limit to what government can do within the available resources.

    “As much as we sympathise with them on the situation, the economy is simply not healthy enough to accommodate what it used to accommodate in the past.

    “If anybody is concerned and worried about expenditures in my ministry, they should go and check because it is open.

    “We have appealed to them several times but we met a culture that we cannot sustain.” he said

    The Minister promised that the Ministry will look into some of the grievances that are genuine when the economy improves.

    “We listen to them, they always meet with the Permanent secretary and directors. But once the resources are not there, there is little we can do. We will just continue to plead with them to be patient with us.” he added

    Dambazzau said that the Council approved the procurement of some water carrying vehicles for the Federal Fire Service.

    He said “This is in an attempt to further revamp the federal fire service which has experienced dearth of equipment for a very long time and that with the challenges we have in terms of fire incidents all over the country, the last time I spoke I told you the government is making every effort to make sure that the fire service is revamped so that we have the necessary euipment, training and personnel to be able to face the challenges.

    “Today as part of it FEC approved what is remaining of the 2016 budget, the procurement of 15 water tankers that have the capacity to be used as fighting trucks. This is costing the government N403 million out of the budget that was appropriated in 2016.

    ‘The totsl budget is about 5.5 billion naira for the procurement of firefighting equipment and we have already procured a lot from that.” he said

    The Minister of Finance, on her part, said that the Council approved the ratification for the establishment of the West African Tax Administration forum which is a platform to promote mutual agreement and cooperation among West African tax authorities.

    While disclosing that Nigeria is the host of the body, she said that Nigeria has already rectified the project.

    She said “The effect of it is that there will be better information sharing and cooperation between countries within West Africa on tax administration. This is really part of our tax reform efforts.

    “As you know Nigerians own properties in Ghana and other neigbouring countries, now for tax purposes they will be able to have access to that type of information.

    “Linked to that is the directive of the FEC to the SGF to remind companies that there is an existing provision in the law that companies are supposed to have on their letter headed papers the names of their directors and their registered offices but what we have seen is that many bodies that are transacting business with government simply have the names of the company and no details of who the directors are.

    “So for tax purposes it is quite difficult to trace them, so the SGF will be issuing a circular reminding agencies and ministries of government that it is the law and therefore they are at liberty not to treat any document that doesn’t comply with the law.

    “And equally the Accountant General is being advised that payment will only be effected to companies that are fully in compliance with the law just to make sure that all those who are doing business with government and making from government are paying the right taxes.

    “The other memo was the 500 million Eurobond, remember that the National Assembly had approved and council was also required to approve and that was done,” she stated.