The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Lai Mohammed

  • Game up for Saraki in Kwara-Lai Mohammed

    The invincibility of Senate President Bukola Saraki in Kwara State politics is over, Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed has declared.

    He said the people will liberate themselves at the polls in the next six weeks as they hinted in the recent House of Representatives by-election in the state.

    The Minister also accused the Senate President of doctoring the Christmas Day radio interview, vowing to make public the unedited version for people to see the obvious deceit.

    Mohammed, in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, said available evidence shows the live radio interview was doctored before it was re-broadcast to remove any reference to the claimed donation of N10million to victims of the armed robbery in Offa, Kwara State.

    Reacting to the question of who is truly on ground in Kwara politics, the Minister said: “On Nov. 17 2018, the people of Kwara gave a hint of their determination to sack the rapacious leaders who have dominated their lives when they voted for the APC in the by-election for the Ekiti/Isin/Irepodun/Oke-Ero federal constituency.

    “That crushing defeat so devastated the political warlords, who hitherto claimed invincibility that they started doing what they have never done before: going from ward to ward to campaign!

    “Unfortunately, the game is up for them, as they will soon learn, because the people have resolved that ‘O to ge’ (enough is enough).

    “In the meantime, they are free to continue to revel in self-deceit.”

    On the doctored interview, he said: ”In the unedited live version, Dr. Saraki, speaking in Yoruba, said categorically that he donated N10 million when he visited Offa to commiserate with the victims of the armed robbery, when (he said) in actual fact about N7 million was stolen from the vaults of the banks that were robbed during the attack.

    ”However, the version for re-broadcast did not contain any reference to the Offa robbery.

    “Whereas they claimed to have re-broadcast the interview due to popular demand, the truth is that they decided to re-air it without the claim of N10 million donation due to the widespread derision that greeted that phantom claim. These people have a chronic disdain for the truth.”

     

  • Minister to Saraki: stop dancing on the graves of Offa robbery victims

    Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed has warned Senate President Bukola Saraki to stop dancing on the graves of the innocent souls who died in the April 5, 2018 armed robbery attack in Offa.

    Mohammed, in a statement in Lagos on Monday by his media aide, Segun Adeyemi, urged Saraki to stop politicising the unfortunate incident.

    He reacted following a claim by Saraki in a radio interview he donated N10 million when he visited Offa on commiseration despite the fact that only N7million was stolen from the banks’ vault.

    The Minister condemned attempts to denominate human lives in naira and kobo.

    He alleged in the wake of his warning, the apparently embarrassing radio interview was hurriedly edited to remove all references to the Offa robbery and then re-aired across Kwara state.

    ”Instead of stopping at that, which in itself constitutes an acceptance of wrong-doing, Dr. Saraki went ahead to hurl insults at me, even when I have been largely restrained in issuing my earlier warning.

    “Had I not been restrained, I would have gone ahead to divulge what actually transpired.

    ”For example, the claim by Dr. Saraki that he donated N10million to care for the victims of the Offa robbery is patently false.

    “He did not! The N10 million he referred to was donated when the Offa market got burnt, and it was made in Ilorin, not Offa.

    “When Dr Saraki visited Offa to commiserate with the community in the aftermath of the robbery, he did not donate a dime! I challenge him to prove me wrong.”

    The Minister added: ”But with politics in the air, the truth becomes the first casualty. Realising that he goofed, Dr. Bukola apparently caused the radio interview in question to be edited to remove the donation reference, and then re-aired.

    “Is it not an irony the people who engaged in this egregious act of dishonesty are the same ones calling others names?”

    He said he will continue to steer debates on the political developments in Kwara state to issues rather than exchange of personal insults, which he has always been averse to.

    ”The people of Kwara, who are bone-tired of the long years of ‘bolekaja’ governance in the state, are all saying in one voice, ‘O to ge’ (enough is enough), and will soon have the opportunity to express their frustration with their votes,” the Minister said.

     

     

     

  • 2019 budget proposals: It’s the best we can, says Mohammed

    Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed said on Friday that the 2019 budget proposal submitted to the National Assembly on Wednesday by President Muhammadu Buhari is the best the federal government could offer.

    Mohammed told State House Correspondents in Abuja that it is now up to the national Assembly to consider the proposal.

    Asked by reporters to respond to comments by Senate President  Bukola Saraki that the budget proposal holds no hope for Nigerians,the minister said: “It is not the practice of the executive to be exchanging words with the legislative arm of government.

    “They are independent, we are independent.But to the best of our knowledge, we presented a budget given the circumstances of our resources this year.

    “We feel that is the best we can. It is left for the National Assembly to consider it.”

    Read also: 2019 budget hopeless, says Saraki

    The minister also noted that the Buhari administration has delivered on its promises to Nigerians.

    “We are happy that we have been able to meet all our promises, all our obligations to Nigerians.

    “And as the year rolls out, we are more determined to even to deliver more to Nigerians.”

    The minister, who briefed Buhari on the activities of his ministry, said he made a portrait of the President in five major Nigerian attires, “one is in Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Efik and one in suit.

    “It is reminiscent of the portrait we use during this campaign.”

  • El-Rufai, Lai Mohammed warn against fake news, hate speech

    …calls for legislation to contain menace
    ….it can’t save opposition from imminent defeat….Lai mohammed

     

    Governor Ahmed El-rufai and Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed have warned of the danger of fake news in the country ahead of the coming 2019 general election.

    Consequently, El-rufai urged the Federal Government to enact legislation that would grant jurisdiction to state judiciaries to handle cases of fake news and hate speeches.

    The current law in the country only grant the Federal High Courts jurisdiction to handle cases of fake news.

    The duo spoke on Thursday in Kaduna when the Minister paid Governor El-rufai a courtesy visit.

    The minister is in Kaduna for the 47th meeting of the National Council on Information, with the theme “Tackling fake news and hate speech to enhance peace and National unity”.

    The governor who said he had a personal share of fake news; saying his Wikipedia was altered to change his nationality and was also alleged to have been clone and from Bamako, Mali.

    He also cited the negative impact fake news have had on the state in recent times, assuring that the state will spear no effort in bringing to book all those invloved in spreading hate speech in the state, including an Abuja based Pastor and the Lagos based journalist.

    Read Also: Court remands pupil for allegedly killing schoolmate

    The governor stressed that conveyors of fake news should not be allowed to go free as they should be made to bear the consequences of their actions.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, on his part said fake news has become the most difficult challenge confronting the country today as it is the most potent weapon in the hands of the opposition party in the run off to the 2019 general elections.

    Mohammed however assured the opposition party that no amount of fake news will save them from total defeat again come 16th February and 2nd March 2019 general elections.

    The Minister also warned that the country will begin to witness more of it, especially now that the election is at hand because the opposition have nothing to debase the ruling party with giving the numerous achievement of President Muhammadu Buhari led administration within the short time.

  • 2019 Budget proposal ready for presentation 

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting on Friday approved the 2019 Budget proposal for onward transmission to the National Assembly.

    The Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma briefed State House correspondents at the end of the special FEC session chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Read Also:2019 budget: Special FEC session to hold Friday

    He was with the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed.

    According to him, it is now left for the National Assembly to agree on a date when President Muhammadu Buhari can present the document to the two chambers of the National Assembly.

    Details Later…

  • FG to produce festivals compendium to boost tourism – Lai Mohammed

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said the ministry will soon produce a compendium of the festivals across the country to boost tourism and showcase the country’s diverse cultures.

    The minister disclosed this in Istanbul, Turkey, on Monday while speaking at the ongoing 3rd UNWTO/UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture, jointly organized by the two UN agencies.

    A statement on the minister’s address was made available to newsmen on Monday in Abuja by Mr Segun Adeyemi, the Special Adviser to the minister.

    The minister said with more than 365 festivals across Nigeria, the country could organise one festival per day all year round, thus boosting domestic
    and international tourism.

    Mohammed said Nigeria’s ethnic groups were rooted in their cultures, which they showcased through different festivals like Durbar, New Yam Festival, Eyo and Masquerades, just to mention a few.

    Read Also: Looters’ list: Court refuses to jail Lai Mohammed

    He said governments at all levels in Nigeria were striving hard to encourage the festivals in their domains, while the Federal Government was providing the enabling environment to showcase the various festivals.

    The minister said the Abuja Carnival was particularly designed to enable the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory to showcase the country’s cultural diversity.

    He described the carnival as “a source of unity among the country’s more than 250 ethnic groups”. Mohammed said festivals were not just for entertainment but major contributors to job creation and economic development.

    The conference is aimed at exploring the interplay of tourism and culture with a view to enhancing sustainable tourism globally.

    More than 30 Ministers of Culture and Tourism from around the world are attending the three-day conference.

    (NAN)

  • Looters’ list: Court refuses to jail Lai Mohammed

    The Federal High Court in Lagos yesterday dismissed an application by a former Finance Minister (state), Mrs Nenadi Usman, seeking to summon Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, for publishing her name as an alleged looter.

    Mrs Usman, who is on trial for alleged money laundering before Justice Rilwan Aikawa, initiated contempt proceedings before the same judge against Mohammed after he released her name as one of the looters of the treasury.

    Dismissing the application, Justice Aikawa held that the contempt proceedings were a distraction capable of interfering with the trial.

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

    According to her, the Minister of Information 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.

    Moving the application, Orbih urged the court to grant his client leave for Mohammed to appear to show cause as to why he should not be committed to prison for contempt.

    The SAN said Mohammed’s publication of Usman’s name as a looter undermined the court’s authority, adding that should the court fail to punish Mohammed, its integrity would be questioned by the public.

    But, the EFCC lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, said the application was “parasitic” and a ploy to delay the former minister’s trial.

    He argued that Mrs Usman ought to have filed a separate civil suit for libel against Mohammed rather initiating contempt proceedings before the judge she is undergoing trial.

    Oyedepo argued that the newspaper publications cited by Orbih did not expressly declare Mrs Usman a looter.

    He said the reports used the expression “alleged looter”, which he said was in conformity with the charge against Usman.

    Oyedepo said anyone who claims that his or her reputation was maligned should seek remedy in court, adding that the Minister of Information was not a party to the criminal proceedings against Mrs Usman.

    Ruling, Justice Aikawa agreed with Oyedepo’s submissions that the right parties to the contempt proceedings were not before him.

    According to him, Lai Mohammed did not directly publish the list of looters, so the right parties to be joined in the application were the media houses.

    The judge also held that a mere publication which did not go to the substance of the case or directly affect the criminal proceedings before the court could not be said to have interfered or influenced the judge’s mind.

    Justice Aikawa further stated that the publications were not an advertorial from the Minister of Information, so he could not be held responsible for what was published by the media houses.

    The judge held that the publication was not prejudicial to the applicant’s case and therefore dismissed it for lacking in merit.

  • Lai Mohammed, NIS boss, others headline NTIFE 2018

    Nigeria’s  tourism will be on song next week as travel professionals, stakeholders, government officials and the business community converge on Abuja for this year’s edition of the Nigeria Tourism Investment Forum and Exhibition (NTIFE) organised by the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN).

    Speaking on the event, which is billed to hold between November 21 and 22 at the Abuja Sheraton Hotel, the President of FTAN, Alhaji Saleh Rabo, disclosed that this year’s forum is a watershed in the history of the federation because of the importance its places on driving Nigeria tourism development.

    With the theme, Infrastructure and Security: Catalyst for Sustainable Tourism Development, he said the gathering would address some of the key aspects of the nation’s tourism drive, hence the federation has lined up relevant speakers and operators in the different areas to speak on the theme of the two- day event.

    The special guest of honour and keynote speaker is the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. Other speakers include: The Comptroller General of Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Muhammed Babandede, the Director General of the National Bureau for Statistics (NBS), Dr. Yemi Kale and the Chairman of Philips Consulting, Funsho Philips.

    A number of states across the country and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) alongside other related businesses, including airlines, are expected to exhibit their products and services during the event which will  also feature a number of special packages.

    According to Rabo, NTIFE  is dedicated to the promotion of domestic tourism as it is a forum for the various associations and players in the tourism industry to interact and network as well as showcase their products and services.

  • Court throws out contempt application against Lai Mohammed

    Justice Mohammed Aikawa of a Federal High Court, Lagos, on Friday dismissed a contempt application filed by a former Minister of State for Finance, Nenadi Usman, against Minister of Information Lai Mohammed over inclusion of her name in the ‘looters’ list.

    Usman is standing trial on allegations of money laundering alongside a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, Yusuf Danjuma, and a company, Joint Trust Dimension Ltd.

    Usman had argued in the application that the inclusion of her name on the  list released during the pendency of her trial, was contemptuous.

    She,  therefore, initiated a suit against  Mohammed for alleged contempt of court, claiming that his action undermined the integrity of the court, and was aimed at poisoning the mind of the court.

    Read also: 2019: Buhari deserves to be voted for second term– Lai Mohammed

    EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo,  had urged the court to refuse Usman’s application, arguing that the applicant was never referred to as a looter by the minister.

    He said that what was published by some newspapers only bordered on allegations, and could not be said to be prejudicial to the applicant’s case in court.

    In his ruling,  Aikawa upheld the submission of the prosecution that the right parties to the contempt suit were not before the court.

    According to him, the publications, which the applicant complained of, were made by media houses and not Mohammed.

    He said that the right parties to be joined in the application were the media houses.

    The judge also held that a mere publication, which did not go to the substance of a case or directly affect proceedings before the court, could not be said to have interfered or influenced the mind of the court.

    The judge added  that the publication was not an advertorial from Mohammed, and that he could not be held responsible for what was published by media houses.

    The judge, therefore, ruled that the publication was not prejudicial to the applicant’s case in court.

    He dismissed it for lacking merit.

    EFCC had re-arraigned the accused on a 17-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful retention of proceeds of theft and money laundering.

    According to the EFCC, in January 2015, the accused unlawfully retained a total sum of N4.6 billion, which they knew formed part of proceeds of an unlawful act.

    The court has adjourned until Jan. 24 for continuation of trial. (NAN)

  • Minister condemns attacks on APC candidate

     Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed on Thursday condemned attack on the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives candidate Abdulraheem Olawuyi for this Saturday’s by-election for Irepodun/Ekiti/Isin and Oke-Ero federal constituency in Kwara.
    Muhammed, who described the attack as unfortunate, said the party will work with relevant agencies to ensure free, fair and credible election on Saturday with adequate security before, during and after the election.
    The campaign train of Olawuyi was allegedly attacked by an unknown persons during the tour of his constituency to canvass for votes.
    The minister told reporters at the sideline of a mega rally of the party in Omu-Aran, the headquarters of Irepodun Local Government area of the state.
    He said the election will begin a new chapter for the party and it will be used to show the world that the APC is intact and the preferred party.

    Read Also: Why Buhari deserves second term – Lai Mohammed

    Said the minister: “You can see from the enthusiasm and the vibrancy of this crowd. Some governorship rallies cannot match what we have here today.
    “No cause for alarm because security is guaranteed, we are aware of an attack on our candidate during his tour of constituency.
    “This shows the opposition’s desperate attempt but I challenge them to try it again” Muhammed said.
    Earlier, the Chairman of the party in the state, Bashir Bolarinwa, said APC is very much prepared for the election.
    “Our preparations can be attested to by the crowd here today. In our own case, we have not imported anybody, what we have here today are the real electorate.
    “We have done all we have to do and we have put in place all necessary apparatus to win the election and we are sure that come Saturday, we are winning” Bolarinwa said.
    Olawuyi said he is 80 percent sure of victory at the Saturday bye-election.
    He explained that it is not about bragging but because it is his terrain and that his people love him.
    “As you can see, these are not rented crowd but party members and the real electorates from my constituency. We did not invite anyone from outside Kwara because the election is good for him” Olawuyi said.
    Olawuyi said he is not scared of his opponent because he is aware of their weaknesses, claiming the people don’t love them again.
    “The people that follow them fear them and not that they love them, we are loved with passion and the people follow us.
    “We work together in the past and I know their capacity that can bring up when it comes to election, in a free and fair election, I don’t see them as a threat at all,” Olawuyi said.