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Tag: Minister of Information and Culture

  • FG to provide 200,000 jobs for artists

    FG to provide 200,000 jobs for artists

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, says over 200,000 jobs will be created with the N300 million credit facility provided by the Bank of Industry (BOI), for artists.

    The minister made the disclosure at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), between BOI and the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) in Abuja on Friday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports the MoU was presented to the minister by Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, the Director-General of NCAC.
    “I have been reliably informed that top on the list of the benefits that will accrue from this landmark MoU is creation of over 200,000 jobs for the sector.

    “This is epochal and in line with one of the cardinal programmes of this administration, which is job creation and empowerment’’, he said.
    The minister explained the MoU would act as a catalyst for the development of the country’s craft industries, create a financing window and assist NCAC members in capacity building.

    Mohammed also said the MoU would encourage producers of cultural products and services to work toward attaining standard of modern practices in packaging of nation’s cultural products.
    He said that the memorandum would also enable artists to compete favourably at the global markets and earn them a decent living.

    Mohammed urged all states to take advantage of the loan for the development of the creative sector in their domains.
    He said the details of how to access the fund would form a major part of discussions at the forthcoming meeting of Chief Executives of Culture in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, from May 9 to May 12.

    The minister congratulated Runsewe for achieving the feat and putting the event together, few days after he assumed office.

    He also appreciated the Acting Managing Director of BoI, Mr Waheed Olagunju, for his support and partnership.
    The minister described the MoU as `a right step in a right direction and one of the biggest achievements the sector had recorded in recent time.’

    He said the Ministry had signed MoU with local and international partners, including the Tony Elumelu Foundation and the British Council, to develop the capacity of creative artists.
    Earlier, Runsewe said it was the first time in the history of the country that the industry was given a single digit approach to loans.

    He disclosed that two other similar MoUs were in the offing for the development of the sector
    Runsewe commended the minister for changing the nation’s narrative under his leadership and for his passion for the development of the culture and creative sector.

     

  • Nigeria is getting out of Recession – Information Minister

    Nigeria is getting out of Recession – Information Minister

    Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said on Saturday that  Nigeria was gradually moving out of recession.

    Mohammed, represented by the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Bayo Onanuga, made the assertion at the biennial convention of the Nigerian Guild of Editors in Lagos.

    He said that going by a recent statement by the Central Bank Governor, the country would exit recession by the end of June.

    “ There have been other pointers for the good news as well. For two consecutive months, the National Bureau of Statistics has also reported a fall in inflation rate.

    “ The exchange rate is regaining some sanity.

    “ As I said earlier, the worst appears to be over. We are clawing out of the woods of recession in weeks from now, “   the minister said.

    Mohammed said that the Buhari administration and collective will of Nigerians had shamed doomsday prediction  that our recession could worsen into a depression.

    “ I hope, in our various media, we shall begin to focus more on the positive developments in our economy, the growth in agriculture and mineral development, since the NBS last year, let out the secret that the Nigerian economy recorded a negative growth in the first quarter of 2016, “ he said.

    The minister said that recession was not peculiar to the country.

    He said that the United States of America had experienced 47 recessions, some regressing into depressions.

    “ Between 1980 and 2007 alone, the American economy experienced five recessions. The last one in 2007 was caused by the subprime mortgage crisis and led to the collapse of the US housing bubble,” he said.

    Mohammed urged the media to stop the blame game and educate Nigerians on the efforts being made to end recession.

    “ Informing  the people that the government is working hard to end the recession will go a long way to give hope to the people.

    “After all, it is said that ”if you keep hope alive, it will keep you alive” the minister said.

  • Minister refutes report on Buhari working from home henceforth

    Minister refutes report on Buhari working from home henceforth

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed says he “never said that President Muhammadu Buhari is to work from home henceforth”.

    In a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday,  the minister said the reporting in a section of the media of his post- Federal Executive  Council (FEC) briefing that  the President is to work from home henceforth is erroneous.

    The statement signed by his Special Adviser,  Mr Segun Adeyemi,  the minister said “the President only decided to work from home today, not that he has decided to work from home henceforth”.

    He said the headlines in a section of the media, ”Buhari to now work
    from home – Lai Mohammed,” is a misrepresentation of his statement at the briefing.

    Quoting verbatim the relevant section of his briefing, Alhaji Mohammed said: ”he (the President) wanted to rest today. .

    “He asked the Vice President to preside over TODAY’S meeting.

    “In addition, he also asked that all his files be taken home to him and he will be working from home today .” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Channels Television online report of the briefing quoted the minster correctly.

    The report on the website of channelstv.com has  the headline “Buhari to work from home today”

    The report quoted the minister: “The President sent a word that he wanted to rest today and asked the Vice President to preside over today’s meeting.

    “The president also asked that all his files be taken home to him and will be working from home today”.

  • 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.”

     

  • Disallow BBN show, is against cultural values, lawmaker tells FGN

    Disallow BBN show, is against cultural values, lawmaker tells FGN

    Chairman, committee on health service of the Lagos state House of Assembly, Hon. Olusegun Olulade has called on the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed to  reconsider the implications of allowing the Big Brother Naija Show on Nigerian culture and youths.

    Olulade, who represents Epe 2 constituency lamented that the contents of the Reality Show are completely foreign to the indigenous culture, which the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is trying to promote.

    According to him, the government should swing into action through the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC), and ensure it stops the airing of such programme before it further causes serious damage to the culture.

    His words: “The content of Big Brother Naija show is alien to our culture. This show is contrary to the rich cultural values we are trying to promote and bring to the front burner. It is sad that our young children including adults are made to watch such content.

    “This kind of programme promotes obscenity and immorality. We must not encourage such if our hallowed cultural heritage would be preserved. We cannot prevent our inquisitive young ones from watching the obscene displays that permeate the show.

    “I think the NBC should, without delay, stop this programme if this government means business in the promotion of our cultural values. The show does not add any value to our education, social and economic life,” the lawmaker said.

    Olulade, who is the immediate past Chairman, House Committee on Information, Publicity, Security and Strategy, also advised the Federal Government to ensure adequate censor of information being aired and sent to the public, noting that such programme as Big Brother Naija is capable of causing distractions to the Nigerian youths and affecting many families.

    “I will want to urge all parents and guardians to be on their guards and guide their children and wards against the implication of allowing them to keep watching the Show. Our children should not be allowed to be corrupt because this may affect their dreamed future,” he added.

    Big Brother Naija is a Reality Show supposedly sponsored by PayPorte, an online shopping platform and aired by Africa Magic on Dstv.

  • ‘Treasury looters, greatest assaults to our collective rights’

    ‘Treasury looters, greatest assaults to our collective rights’

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, says that treasury looters are the greatest assaults on the collective human rights of Nigerians.

    The minister stated this on Monday in Abuja at the inauguration of Human Rights Radio founded by Ahmed Isa, the Managing Director of Premier Broadcasting Ltd. and anchor of ‘’Embelembe’’ radio programme.

    ‘’The greatest assaults to our collective human rights are those people who have stolen our money.

    “They are those people who have pocketed the money meant for roads, water, power and medical care.

    “Those are the people who have assaulted our collective human rights, who have reduced the average Nigerians to nothingness and humiliated this country,” he said.

    The minister said that the Federal Government`s unwavering anti-corruption fight is therefore geared towards the protection of the collective human rights of Nigerians.

    He, therefore, called on all Nigerians to support the anti-corruption war for the country to attain its developmental goals.

    Mohammed specifically urged Nigerians to assist the government in its whistle blowing policy by exposing treasury looters and rights violators.

    “The whistleblowing policy is a very simple policy through which we encourage Nigerians who have any information about the violation of our rights, the commission of a crime, fraud or corruption or any Nigerian who knows where certain money is being held or kept to anonymously contact us.

    “We will protect his or her identity and if the information leads to the recovery of money, he or she will be entitled to 2.5 per cent or 5 per cent of the money recovered.

    “We have three channels of passing the information which could be through dedicated SMS, a portal and an e-mail address and all of them are secured,” he said.

    The minister said that within two months of the declaration of the policy of whistleblowers, the government has been able to recover 160 million dollars and N8 billion.

    He said the 9.7 million dollars kept in an uncompleted house in Kaduna by a former Group Managing Director of NNPC was recovered through the policy.

    “Somebody gave us the information, we went there and saw the money loaded in fridges and boxes and the owners have admitted that the money belonged to him.

    “He said the money was given to him by friends after he retired and we want those friends to come forward,” he said.

    He added that 136 million dollars, N7 billion and another N1 million were respectively recovered from banks also as a result of the cooperation of whistleblowers.

    “I want to put on record that the fellow through whom we recovered N1 billion in an account told us he does not want any commission from the government because that is his contribution to the country.

    “But, I can assure you that we are not going to renege on our promise to the appropriate commission to anyone who gives us information that leads to recovery of money through this policy,” he said.

    Mohammed noted that the challenge facing the nation’s economy was as a result of the alleged looting by the previous administration.

    He said the government would remain determined and focused to end the difficult times that the people were passing through.

    The minister commended Isa for his initiative and perseverance in establishing the first ever Human Right Radio, adding that the station would complement government’s efforts in protecting peoples’ rights.

    The Chairman of the event and the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, said that the judiciary would partner with the radio station in enhancing the peoples’ rights.

    Onnoghen, who was represented by the Chief Judge of FCT, Justice Ishaq Bello, commended the founder of the radio for his vision, perseverance and commitment to the cause of the poor in the society.

    Earlier, in an address of welcome, Isa said the inauguration of the station was a dream come true and he would continue to use the platform to support humanity.

    He said the station which would be committed to human rights in contents, is a trailblazer being the first of its kind in the entire globe.

  • FG will intensify war against corruption – Minister 

    FG will intensify war against corruption – Minister 

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said the Federal Government will intensify the war against corruption.

    The essence, he said is to ensure that all those who abused the collective human rights of Nigerians through mindless looting of the treasury are brought to book.

    The Minister who spoke in Abuja Monday at the commissioning of the Human Rights Radio station said “I want to say this without any equivocation that the protection of human rights is the first responsibility of any government and this government in particular has done more than anybody to protect the collective human rights of Nigerians.

    “I am going to prove this. The greatest assault to our collective human rights are those people who have stolen our money; those people who have pocketed money meant for roads, power, water, Medicare. Those are the people who have assaulted our collective human rights; those are the people who have reduced Nigerians to nothingness. Those are the people who have humiliated this country and this is why this government’s anti-corruption war must be supported by all and sundry.”

    He also blamed the current economic hardship in the country to the reckless looting of the treasury by public officials in the past.

    He stressed that the Buhari’s government is doing everything possible to fix the economy and make Nigerians happy.

    “No economy in the world can survive this mindless looting. If everyone of us that has access to power should steal $10 million, how can the Naira ever be strong.  If we steal over $136 million, how can our roads be in good order or how can we have power,” he queried.

    The Minister, however, expressed delight that the introduction of the Whistle-blower Policy by this Administration is helping to expose corrupt officials and the recovery of billions of naira in stolen funds.

    “Within two months of our declaration of a policy of whistle blowers, we have been able to recover $160 million and N8 billion and what is this policy? It’s a policy that will encourage Nigerians who have any information of violation of our rights, commission of a crime, fraud or corruption or any Nigerian who knows where certain money is being held or being kept to anonymously contact us. We will protect his identity and if that information leads really to the recovery of money, he will be entitled to between 2% and 5% of the money recovered,” he said.

    The Minister said his ministry will partner with the Human Rights Radio to popularise the Whistle-blower Policy.

    In his remarks, the founder of the Human Rights Radio, Ahmed Isah, who described the Minister as his mentor, said the radio station will support humanity, irrespective of religious or ethnic inclinations.

    He described the radio station as the first to be solely dedicated to human rights in the country and promised to use the platform to project the image of Nigeria.

  • Minister urges Nigerians to engage in volunteerism

    Minister urges Nigerians to engage in volunteerism

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has urged Nigerians to show interest and commitment to volunteer services for the development of the country.

    The minister stated this on Thursday in Abuja when a delegation of Senior Citizens Advocacy Network of Nigeria paid a courtesy visit to his office.

    According to him, volunteerism is lacking in the country whereas most countries thrived because of commitment of their citizens to voluntary services to their nations.

    The minister commended the group for its commitment to issues of senior citizens and the plan to engage them for volunteer services.

    He noted that rather than sitting down and waiting for death after retirement, the senior citizens should be better engaged in volunteer services, particularly in the areas of their field to inculcate their knowledge on younger ones.

    Lai-Mohammed-2Mohammed said the senior citizens would be more useful in their country homes where they retired to in this regard of volunteer services.

    He noted that in the developed world, senior citizens contributed immensely to security because they offered intelligence information on where they live to relevant authorities.

    The minister commended the group for its willingness to assist the government in the implementation of cultural reorientation campaign, “Change Begins With Me’’.

    Earlier, the National Chairman of the Non-Governmental Organisation, Dallatu Ayuba said they were registered to promote care and enhancement of quality of life of older persons.

    He said they believed that both the old and the young generation was the pride of a country and none should be neglected.

    Ayuba said that the old generation as the custodian of culture and heritage would be useful in imparting them on the younger ones.

    For easy accessibility in volunteer services, he said the organisation would be compiling a compendium of its professionals.

  • Traditional rulers will support for Buhari – Sulu Gambari

    Traditional rulers will support for Buhari – Sulu Gambari

    The Emir of Ilorin, Dr Ibrahim Sulu Gambari has said that traditional rulers will continue to rally support for President Muhammadu Buhari for the success of his administration.

    The Emir stated this when the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, paid him a courtesy visit in his palace in company with six other ministers.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visit was on the sidelines of the Federal Government Town Hall meeting for the North Central zone held on Monday inIlorin.

    The monarch said: “Speaking on behalf of the majority of traditional rulers of this country, we will offer help anytime and anywhere we are called upon.

    “We trust the president of this country, we know him to be a man of discipline and we hope he can tidy up things that are very rough now.

    “We pray that on his sojourn to England, he will get better and return to us in good health so that he can continue the good work that the majority of this country are expecting.buhari”

    The Emir also expressed confidence in members of the cabinet of the president, particularly those on the entourage.

    “You are the eyes of Mr President.

    “When the names of ministers were made public, we said, yes, this time around, we are very serious and ready for good governance.

    “Though it took time for Mr President to name his cabinet but it is better late and to select good hands that can deliver.

    “We are very optimistic that this administration will make a positive impact on the nation and the people,” he said.

    The monarch called on Nigerians to support the change agenda of the administration.

    Earlier, the Information minister said they were in the palace to pay homage to the monarch after the town hall meeting for the North central states of Kwara, Kogi and Niger.

    He also said that they were particularly impressed with the quality of traditional rulers that attended the town hall meeting from the three states.

    The minister noted that the town hall meeting was a very robust engagement with the people and they would take the recommendations therefrom to the president for consideration.

    He thanked the Emir for his role in ensuring peace in his domain and the country as a whole.

  • Calling me “Lie Mohammed’’ is mindset, price for service – Minister

    Calling me “Lie Mohammed’’ is mindset, price for service – Minister

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, says he reads comments of people who claim not to believe what he says and coin his first name as “Lie’’.

    The minister stated this while responding to questions when he visited Daar Communications Plc on Friday in Abuja.

    He said that such comments were the mindset of the people and a price he had to pay for serving the nation.

    “People just have a mindset that whatever Lai Mohammed says cannot be true, but nobody has ever come out to say that I said `Y’ and it was `Z’ that happened.

    “For me, I will remain focused because it is a price you pay for serving your country.

    “I also see this as a deliberate strategy to whittle me down, but I must remain focused and will not be distracted,’’ he said.

    Mohammed said that some people found it difficult to separate him from “Lai Mohammed as All Progressive Congress (APC) spokesperson and Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information’’.

    “I believe sincerely that the last election was fought very bitterly and I was largely the face of the party and I kept asking them to fight me on facts, not on emotions.

    “Give me one thing that I have said which is not true.

    “There is a Yoruba proverb that says that you can only wake up somebody who is sleeping, you cannot wake up a fellow who is pretending to fall asleep,’’ he said.

    He recalled when he led local and foreign journalists on tour of the North-East on Dec. 5, 2015 and he told the world that Boko Haram war had been technically defeated.

    Mohammed said that when he made the claim nobody believed him but that today he had been vindicated.

    He said that all the schools that were closed then in the North-East had been reopened and that all the territory occupied by the terrorists had been reclaimed by the military.

    He added that recently, he led a team that flew over Sambisa forest unhindered and without traces of Boko Haram terrorists.

    “However, when you are fighting insurgency, it is not like regular war that you win at once, there will still be suicide bombing.

    “There will still be ambush but that does not mean that we have not won the war,’’ he said.