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  • Lai Mohammed Assures Nigerians No Plan To Impose Fresh Lockdown

    Lai Mohammed Assures Nigerians No Plan To Impose Fresh Lockdown

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, yesterday, assured Nigerians that the Federal Government has no plan to impose a fresh lockdown on Nigeria as the country battles the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

    Mohammed, who spoke at a conference in Lagos, however, appealed to Nigerians to adhere to all protocols outlined by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

    The minister said, “On the issue of lockdown, I don’t think there is any time when the Federal Government has said it is going to have a second lockdown. However, the Federal Government is very unhappy that Nigerians are not adhering to the basic Covid-19 protocols of wearing face masks, or practicising social distancing, of washing hands, of ensuring that they do gather in large numbers.

    “If we do not do these, the surge will continue and with the new strain of Covid-19 which is becoming much more difficult to handle than the old strain, the Federal Government will continue to insist and encourage Nigerians to please obey the Covid-19 protocols.

    “The Federal Government is aware of the economic and social implications of a second lockdown but we want to call on Nigerians to help us, help themselves and help the economy, by adhering strictly to the Covid-19 protocols.”

  • Nigeria Will Witness Improved Security In 2021 – Lai Mohammed

    Nigeria Will Witness Improved Security In 2021 – Lai Mohammed

    Nigeria will witness improved security in 2021, the Federal Government has assured residents across the country.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, gave the assurance on Monday while addressing reporters in Lagos.

    He stated that President Muhammadu Buhari has continued to provide the military and other security agencies with the required support to function better.

    Mohammed described 2020 as undoubtedly one of the most challenging years for the country, saying it was a result of the global pandemic that triggered an economic recession, a heightened security challenge, and unnecessary violence in the country.

    He noted that as the President said in his New Year broadcast, the security apparatus, as well as military and police personnel would be re-energised and re-organised, with a view to enhancing their capacity to engage, push back and dismantle the operations of both internal and external extremist and criminal groups waging war against communities in parts of the country.

    The minister revealed that a number of platforms there were expected to boost the fight against terrorists and bandits were due to arrive in the New Year.

    He, however, faulted the opposition for “constantly shooting down” anything the present government does and condemning whatever the President does or says.

    According to Mohammed, they messed up in government and they are messing up even more in opposition and there are no lessons learned either way.

    He also condemned the predictions by Doomsday, saying Nigeria would not become a failed state but would rise to become a more respected member of the comity of nations.

  • Lai Mohammed reveals his only regret serving as a Minister in this government

    Lai Mohammed reveals his only regret serving as a Minister in this government

    Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, says his only regret serving as a minister in this government is that some Nigerians have failed to appreciate that the Buhari-led administration is doing so much with little resources.

    Mohammed said this when he spoke at a Special Forum of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

    He said with dwindling resources, no government in the history of Nigeria had implemented programmes alleviating poverty among women and vulnerable groups as well as created jobs for the youths as the Buhari administration had done since coming into power in 2015.

    “My regret in this government is that Nigerians have failed to appreciate that the government is doing much more with much less. 2010 to 2014 crude oil was selling from 100 dollars to 140 dollars per barrel, but the highest we have sold since we came in is 60 dollars.

    Sometimes at the peak of COVID-19 pandemic, we were even paying for storage because nobody wanted to take our crude.

    With the drop in revenues and security challenges this government has not retrenched one person but put in place programmes to cushion the effects of the pandemic,’’ he said.

    The minister said Nigerians are not giving credit to various intervention programmes of government such as the School Feeding Programme, with no fewer than 12.8 million pupils getting one free meal a day to develop their mental capacity.

  • Lai Mohammed assures Nigerians no school children will be kidnap again

    Lai Mohammed assures Nigerians no school children will be kidnap again

    Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Friday promised that Federal Government will make sure there would be no future occurrence of kidnapping of school children.

    At a press conference on Friday, Mohammed, however, said every country and government would experience insecurity at one point or another.

    He explained that the students of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State, who were released by their abductors on Thursday evening will undergo necessary medical tests before they are released to their families.

    “We also wish to thank the governments of Katsina and Zamfara states and indeed all Nigerians and friends of Nigeria.

    “Let me be clear: What happened in Kankara – and in Chibok and Dapchi before it – is totally unacceptable. Our children should not have to go to school in trepidation.

    “The Federal Government is doing everything possible to secure all our schools, and indeed all Nigerians. And we will not relent until all Nigerians can go to bed at night with their two eyes closed.”

    The minister said the release of the school boys was a testament to the importance that the administration attaches to the security and safety of all Nigerians.

    “What stands any government out is the manner it responds to such challenges.
    Kankara school boys marked the second of its kind under this administration, coming after the unfortunate abduction of 110 schoolgirls in Dapchi, Yobe State, in February 2018.

    “Just like the good news from Kankara, all but one of the kidnapped school girls in Dapchi were rescued unharmed. And in 2014, 276 school girls were abducted by terrorists in Chibok, Borno State, out of which 112 remain in captivity after this administration rescued over 100 of the school girls.

    Mohammed noted that on the two occasions, government had moved with speed and determination and the results attest to this.

    “Each time this has happened, we have always accepted responsibility, rather than being in denial,” he added.

    Mohammed promised to continue to make efforts that will secure release of remaining students in captivity including Leah Sharibu and Chibok girl

  • Lai Muhammed condemns terrorists’ attack in Borno

    Lai Muhammed condemns terrorists’ attack in Borno

    From Isaac Kertyo Makurdi   

    Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alh. Lai Muhammed has condemned in its entirety, the recent attack in Borno State by the Book Haram Terrorists where many people were reportedly killed . He described the incident as unfortunate.   

    The Minister who made the condemnation at the government house Makurdi on Monday during a courtesy visit to the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, sued for global partnership in the fight against terrorists.    “Without support from the international community, the war against terrorism will be difficult to prosecute. These are terrorists who are financed globally and so we also need support from the international community”, he said.     According to Muhammed Nigeria need to acquire more weapons, stressing that ” without adequate weapons, we will live at the mercy of the terrorists”.   

    The Minister, however, assured that the country would continue to do everything within its power to protect lives and property.   

    Responding, Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom commended the Federal Government for its support in terms of security. ” Today Benue State is relatively calm in terms of security because of adequate security that has been provided for us here Benue State.   

    Ortom  noted that the issue of Fulani herdsmen have been reduced to its bearest minimum, adding that it is a welcome development.

  • Insecurity: We need better weapons to fight insurgents – Lai Mohammed

    Insecurity: We need better weapons to fight insurgents – Lai Mohammed

    Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, on Monday, in Makurdi, the Benue State capital advanced the reason why Boko Haram activities may continue unabated, saying that Nigeria has been denied access to acquire adequate weapons to fight the terrorists.

    Speaking to journalists after he paid a courtesy visit on the state governor, Samuel Ortom, at the government house, Mohammed said “Nigerians will remain at the mercy of terrorists”.

    The minister described the killing of rice farmers as ‘unfortunate’ but noted that to decimate the terrorist group, the country needed more support from global partners as well as acquiring adequate weapons to fight them.

    The minister said, “When we talk about terrorism, people don’t seem to appreciate that terrorism is not a local issue, it is a global issue and there is no part of the world that doesn’t experience its own pocket of terrorism.

    “But you must also note that we are dealing with terrorists who are financed globally and we also need more support from global partners, for instance, Nigeria has made an attempt to acquire a better and more effective platform to deal with terrorists but for one reason or the other we have been denied this platform, these weapons and without adequate weapons or platform we remain at the mercy of terrorists.

    The minister further said, “You see fighting terrorists is not a joke because what actually happened in Borno State is unfortunate but you must also look at the strategy of the terrorists.

    “Terrorists use media and publicity as oxygen, so when they go on this kind of mindless killing of people. It is not that the government is not doing enough, terrorism whether in Afghanistan or anywhere in the world has the same concept, a group of people who are extremist in their thoughts who don’t think that you and me should be alive.”

    Governor Samuel Ortom commended the federal government for the deployment of Operation Whirl Stroke to the state.

  • End SARS: ‘Lai Mohammed misinformed information minister’ – DJ Switch

    End SARS: ‘Lai Mohammed misinformed information minister’ – DJ Switch

    Nigerian Dj, Obianuju Catherine Udeh, popularly known as DJ Switch has described the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed as a ‘misinformed minister of information.’

    DAILY POST had reported that the Federal Government threatened to sanction a foreign media outlet, CNN, over its report on the alleged shooting of End SARS protesters by soldiers at the Lekki toll plaza on October 20, 2020.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who made this known at a press conference in Abuja, described the report by the foreign news medium as “irresponsible journalism”.

    The minister also threatened to reveal the real intention of Obianuju Catherine Udeh, popularly known as DJ Switch over her footage of Lekki toll gate shooting.

    According to him, “DJ Switch is a fraudster whose intention is to tarnish the image of Nigeria with false news.”

    Following the development, Mohhamed petitioned CNN demanding “immediate and exhaustive investigation into its report on the Lekki Toll Gate incident to determine its authenticity and conformity to basic standards of journalism.”

    He also accused the news outlet of not making an attempt to reach the federal government, adding that it exhibited false Journalism.

    Reacting, Switch in a post via her Twitter account on Tuesday slammed the minister.

    According to her, the only truth about him is his name, Lai.

    She also stated that it’s not been easy for her ever since she live streamed the the massacre at Lekki toll gate, adding that she would rather speak up than remain silent.

    “How can a minister of information be so misinformed.

    “The only believable thing about him, is his name Lai.

    “Unfortunately sir, the truth is a very stubborn thing!

    “Thank you all for your well wishes and prayers. Its hasn’t been easy for me but the need to speak up is more important than their bullying,” she said.

    RELATED POSTS:

    DJ Switch, a fraud, front for divisive forces – FG

    Lekki Shooting: DJ Switch Will Be Exposed In Due Course, Says Lai Mohammed

    #EndSARS: DJ Switch recounts horrific experience during Lekki shooting

  • Lekki Shooting: DJ Switch Will Be Exposed In Due Course, Says Lai Mohammed

    Lekki Shooting: DJ Switch Will Be Exposed In Due Course, Says Lai Mohammed

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed on Thursday said the celebrity who live-streamed, on Instagram, the Lekki shootings of October 20 will soon be exposed for spreading falsehood.

    Obianuju Catherine Udeh, popularly known as DJ Switch, has left the country over what she has described as threats to her life.

    However, Mr. Mohammed at a press briefing on Thursday denied her life was in danger and said the police and military never declared her wanted.

    He also suggested that she may be acting out a script written by other people and vowed that she would be exposed in due course.

    DJ Switch has said the Nigerian military shot at unarmed #EndSARS protesters in Lekki on October 20, but the government denies the narrative.

  • BREAKING: FG Threatens to sanction CNN

    BREAKING: FG Threatens to sanction CNN

    The Federal Government has threatened to sanction a foreign media outlet, CNN, over its report on the alleged shooting of #EndSARS protesters by soldiers at the Lekki toll plaza on October 20, 2020.

    The government described the report by the foreign news medium as “irresponsible journalism”.

    Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, made this known at a press conference in Abuja today conveyed to address lingering issues regarding the #EndSARS protests for police reform that rocked the nation last month.

    He described the event of October 20, 2020 as a “massacre without bodies”, insisting that not a single body has been produced or a single family has come out to claim their family member was killed at the Lekki tollgate.

    The minister alleged that CNN relied on social media video without verification to produce its report. “This should earn CNN a serious sanction for irresponsible reporting,” Mohammed said.

    He also said some “unscrupulous persons” including celebrities circulated fake news on the social media that aggravated the violence that trailed the two-week demonstration.

    Details later…

  • BREAKING: “A massacre without bodies”, FG Insists Military Fired Blank Bullets Into The Air

    BREAKING: “A massacre without bodies”, FG Insists Military Fired Blank Bullets Into The Air

    The Federal Government on Thursday insisted that there were no mass killings at the Lekki toll gate in the wake of the #EndSARS protests contrary to the general belief.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said this at a press conference in Abuja.

    Mohammed said those who alleged massacre at the toll gate only succeeded in misleading the world.

    He said while government awaits the outcome of the panel investigating the matter, “we can say that the world has just witnessed a massacre without bodies” in Lekki.

    The minister insisted that the military did not shoot at protesters at the toll gate.

    He asked anyone who has contrary proofs to make them available to the panel investigating the matter.

    Mohammed said the government was satisfied with the way security agencies handled the protests.
    The minister took a swipe at CNN for its piece on the Lekki incident, describing it as “blatantly irresponsible.”

    He called for a sanction for the foreign media organisation but did not disclose where the sanction should come from.

    Details later…