Tag: Lai Mohammed

FG clears air on 26 Americans who arrived Lagos Airport without screening

The Federal Government says it is absolutely false the media report that 26 American arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on Monday without screening for Coronavirus.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed refuted the report published in front page of a national newspaper, “Daily Independent”, when he appeared on Nigeria Television. Authority programme, “Good Morning Nigeria”

The Minister admonished the media to be circumspect of what they publish and desist from dishing out fake news aimed at frustrating efforts of government and those in the frontline of fighting Covid-19 pandemic.

He said contrary to the report, the 26 Americans were screened by the Port health authority and the immigration while the crews that flew them in and out of the country did not disembark from the aircraft.

“I am aware about the history of the 26 passengers and I have placed a call to the head of Port health services who denied the report.

“We have problem with the crude oil production in the Bonga field, so they made an application for the expatriates to come into the country

“They need to come and carry out some emergency works on the Bonga field and they arrived yesterday.

“They met with the Port Health Authority and immigration that screened them and we have the records to show that they were screened,” he said.

The Minister explained that the rule on border closure is that if any aircraft must come to the country on emergency, it must come in with two crews for inbound and outbound flights.

“Any flight approved to come into the country now must come with two crews so that there will be no way any of the crew member will get down and interract.

“But if they must come down, they must go into 14 days quarantine,” he explained.

The Minister cautioned the media to desist from publishing fake news that can demoralise those at the Frontline of the fight against Coronavirus.

“It is wrong for the media to be publishing fake news that will frustrate the efforts of not just government but the Frontline people in this fight which are the health workers,the immigration and others.

“They are the ones that are at the highest risk of infection, when they make those sacrifices, to safe the country it is wrong for a newspaper to report with a banner headline that they did not do their jobs when in actual fact, they did.

“Another implication of this which the newspaper did not know is that they have presentef to the entire world, as if Nigeria is not taking this fight serious,” he said.

Mohammed reiterated that a major challenge competing with the concerted efforts at fighting Covid-19 is fake news surrounding the epidemic that have remained unabated.

“When you look at what is going on in the social media particularly WhatsApp platform, you will begin to wonder whether you are in this country.

“I listened to a recording circulating in the social media that the President and the Chief of Staff were smuggled out of Nigeria.

“The woman that originated the fake news was speaking with finality and authority as if she was there.

“As I have said earlier, the President is hale and hearty, and this was confirmed when he made a public broadcast,” he said.

The Minister said that fake news purveyors are always looking for something disparaging about the President and the government.

He said the government will not be distracted, but remain focussed in the fight against the epidemic.

March 31, 2020
COVID-19: Lai Mohammed, Ehanire, Aregbesola, others test negative

There was a sigh of relief on Thursday in Abuja as most members of President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet tested negative to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic.

The positive status of the Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari, who is the coordinator of government activities created fright in government circles of a possible high-rate of infection of the cabinet members and governors.

But it was a thing of joy in the early hours when the tests conducted on most of the ministers were negative.

Although some results were still being awaited as of press time on Thursday, some of those whose results were released are members of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, including the Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, who had gone into self-isolation ahead of the results.

There were signs that some members of the PTF might occasionally come out of isolation to attend to urgent issues on COVID-19.

Those given clean bill of health are: Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha; Dr. Ehanire; Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola; Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika; Information and Culture Minister Lai Mohammed and Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Services Minister Sadiya Umar-Farouk.

Others are Finance Minister Mrs. Zainab Ahmed; her Minister of State Clem Agba; Education Minister Adamu Adamu; Environment Minister Mohammed Mahmoud; Others are the Minister of FCT, Mohammed Bello; the Minster of State for Mines and Steel, Mr. Uche Ogah; and the Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Ramatu Aliyu.

Other members of the SGF-led presidential taskforce on COVID whose tests turned out negative are the Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS), Mr. Yusuf Bichi; the Director-General, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control; Dr. Chikwe Ihekweazu; and the World Health Organisation Country Representative, Wondimagegnehu Alemu.

A top source said: “All members of the PTF tested negative to COVID-19. At least, we now know the status of those managing this crisis for us.”

A minister, who spoke in confidence, said: “It was harrowing in the last 48 hours awaiting the results. I, members of my family and my aides had been in suspense.

“We were expected to receive the results on Wednesday but we were not notified until the early hours of Thursday.

“It was traumatic but it was worth it at the end of the day. The fear is not about whether positive or negative but the stigmatisation.

“The tension was more profound when we were given our results individually. No minister could ask his or her colleague the outcome of the test.”

The Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Ramatu Aliyu, said via a tweet: “I’m glad to inform all my family and friends, including the good people of the FCT at large that I have tested *negative* to COVID-19. I thank Almighty Allah for good health and his infinite grace in these trying times.

“I want to implore you all to take all possible precautions not just for yourself but also for your loved ones. Please avoid getting panicked. As a nation, we shall come out of this stronger and better”.

Responding to a question at a news briefing yesterday, the Minister of Information and Culture, said, “Yes, I did the test and early this morning (Thursday), I got the result and it came out negative.

“Every member of the Presidential Task Force(PTF) submitted himself or herself to the test. I am not at liberty to tell you the results of anyone

“We were tested at home. You can be tested within three to five minutes.”

But Mohammed was put to task on why the ministers, who were negative, had not gone into isolation.

He said:”Given the nature of the assignment before the PTF, we cannot abdicate our responsibility.

“We have taken measures on how to go about our duty such as teleconferencing. We came out of self-isolation because we have a huge task at hand.

“We will, as when necessary, come out of isolation, not because we have tested negative, but because we cannot abdicate our responsibility and just disappear.

“We are going to adhere strictly to the regulations on hygiene, social distancing, and other preventive measures.”

March 27, 2020
TNG Corona watch(6): Minister Lai: Provide Information, Information, Information!

Watching Nigerians on Al-Jazeera ignorantly pontificate Corona virus doesn’t exist in Nigeria was heart-rending beyond national shame. Information is lacking. Even that which comes is taken with a pot of salt: people don’t believe government sources. And it isn’t the uneducated alone, the educated rubbish the messages being dished out.

Now is time to get our once-vaunted information machinery to cascade from Abuja down the state capitals through the local government headquarters, to the wards, and into the compounds. For instance, the government of Enugu state is engaging town criers to enlighten the people. The Federal Government, with its humongous budget and numerous Information Officers, can start with:

A daily broadcast taking questions honestly (there is a huge difference between one-way information and mutual communication). ‘We don’t know’ is far more honourable than lies which only the ignorant believe
Get the medical experts to provide facts – to minimise the deep disbelief that has accrued over the decades at government information

Get its various parastatals such as National Orientation Agency in the fray

Partner the NCC, NBC, and CBN to share the facts through SMS on GSM lines, radio and television stations, and bank customer networks.
We have no excuses as we should learn from other nations’ experiences. As we have seen with the virus starting from Aso Rock, nobody is immune.

Access Bank, Enugu State – The Way To Go

Times like this – leaders stand out. Access Bank has led the way in a private sector coalition to the forefronts of this battle. Dangote, GT bank and others are also acting.

This is the way to go, and all well-meaning corporates and individuals need to join this war. NOW. The simple reason: we fall or survive together. There is no flight out. We are all in this together.
National Centre for Disease Control:

Call: 0800 9700 0010 (toll-free call centre)
Whatsapp: +234 708 711 0839
SMS Number +234 809 955 5577
Info@ncdc.gov.ng
Facebook: @NCDCgov
Twitter: @NCDCgov
Youtube: NCDC

Tomorrow: A Doctor shares a day-to-day body condition of person with COVID-19 infection.

March 26, 2020
Boko Haram targeting Christians to trigger religious war – Lai

Lai Mohammed, minister of information, says Boko Haram is targeting Christians in an attempt to trigger a religious war in the country.

Recently, the insurgents killed Lawan Andimi, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Michika, Adamawa state, and Ropvil Dalep, a student of the University of Maiduguri and a member of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) among others in attacks perceived to be against Christians.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Mohammed said the insurgents have now realised how divisive religion could be when exploited.

The minister said although Boko Haram has also not stopped attacking Muslims, it seems to now
“have a deliberate policy of attacking Christians.”

According to him, this strategy is coming after a renewed onslaught by “our tireless military against Boko Haram and their ISWAP allies in recent times.”

“They have started targeting Christians and Christian villages for a specific reason, which is to trigger a religious war and throw the nation into chaos,” he said.

“Apparently, they have realized how emotive and divisive religion can be, when exploited by unscrupulous persons.

“Lest I am misunderstood, let me repeat: the insurgents, who delude themselves as Muslims whereas they are nothing more than blood-thirsty, rapacious killers who subscribe to no religion, have recently started targeting Christians with a view to sowing the seed of confusion between the two great religions.

“This did not in any way signify that they have stopped attacking Muslims. But they seem to now have a deliberate policy of attacking Christians. Some have misinterpreted this to insinuate a systematic campaign to persecute Christians in Nigeria.

“This is absurd, and very unfair to the men and women who are daily battling the insurgents.”

The minister appealed to religious leaders not to fall for the tactics of the insurgents.

He said the “renewed vigour” by the military in the war against the insurgents “is paying off handsomely.”

“These include; the killing of top ISWAP leaders at two separate meeting venues at Marte local government in Borno state a few days ago,” Mohammed said.

“A similarly successful attack against the leadership of Boko Haram in Alafa Yagayaga in Borno earlier this month. The killing of Boko Haram chief Judge in Lake Chad.

“The in-fighting in the leadership cadre of Boko Haram is a fallout of the pressure on the insurgents by the military.”

February 27, 2020
Insecurity: Lai Mohammed speaks on Buhari’s resignation

Nigerians expecting President Muhammadu Buhari to resign due to rising insecurity in the nation are joking, as the nation’s Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed said emphatically on Thursday that the president will not resign.

He admitted that the nation was currently going through security challenges, but noted that the challenges were being tackled headlong.

According to him, there had been some red herrings in recent times, including those calling for the resignation of President Buhari or the sack of the security chiefs.

“I just want to say that the government, which has provided and continues to provide the military and the security agencies with the wherewithal, believes in their ability to tackle insecurity,” he said.

Mohammed stated that these challenges would be successfully tackled, while advising all commentators, especially political and religious leaders, to be very careful at this time not to aggravate the situation with incendiary comments and comments that cashed in on religious, ethnic and political fault lines to further divide the nation.

He explained that the kind of comments that had been attributed to some leaders, especially religious leaders, were incendiary and reckless.

Mohammed said leaders should be part of solutions to problems, rather than aggravating situations.

“To those asking Mr. President to resign, I wish to say this: Mr. President will not resign,” he said.

Mohammed said Buhari had the overwhelming mandate of Nigerians to preside over the affairs of the country till the expiration of his tenure in May 2023.

February 20, 2020
PDP shocked as Lai Mohammed requests $500m (N182b) loan to upgrade NTA

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday criticised the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, over his request for $500 million loan for the upgrade of facilities at the Nigerian Television Authorities (NTA).

The party urged the minister to jettison the plan as it would put a debt burden of about N182 billion on the nation.

The minister, yesterday, announced the planned upgrade of the NTA with the loan, saying the $500 million facility would enable the television network to compete with American Cable Network News (CNN).

But in a statement in Abuja by its spokesmen Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP urged the National Assembly to turn down the request.

The statement said: “The PDP implores the National Assembly to reject the clear attempt by the cabal in the Muhammadu Buhari Presidency to worsen the economic situation in our country via the use of phony projects as guise to draw foreign funds to service their selfish economic and political interests.

“The party notes that under the Buhari Presidency, our foreign debt has accumulated to $83 billion with nothing to show other than the excruciating unemployment rate, decayed infrastructure, a worsening governance system, escalated insecurity and unprecedented poverty.”

“The PDP alerts that the request for the approval of $500 million is aimed at setting the stage for further fleecing of our nation’s economy as the Federal Government under the Buhari administration has shown no commitment towards nation-building, transparency and accountability in governance.”

“Moreover, the Federal Government has failed to present details of the requested $29.9 billion loan in which the $500 million being requested by the Minister of Information and Culture is embedded; a development that points to nothing but the corruption in the Buhari administration.”

“While counselling the minister to perish the thoughts of $500 million, the PDP charges him to use his appearance at the National Assembly to give account of the funds so far released to the Ministry of Information and Culture which has been plagued by cases and allegations of corruption under his watch.”

February 11, 2020
If we get $500m loan, we’ll ensure NTA competes with CNN- Lai Mohammed

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has pledged to turn around the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) to enable it compete with the likes of Cable News Network (CNN) if the $500m loan the ministry requested is approved.

He stated this when he appeared before Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Loans to defend the $500m loan the ministry applied for from President Muhammadu Buhari’s $29.96b loan for funding critical infrastructure in the country.

The minister explained that if the fund was approved, the NTA could be upgraded to enable it to send out signals that would be at par with CNN, “because we have the manpower and the technology.”He explained that the creative industry was not just about Television alone, but film, music, fashion and photography, adding that there was no better platform to showcase Nigeria’s talents than having a digital system.

He said the creative industry employs no fewer than one million young persons directly and indirectly, noting, “If this project is approved, there will be more visibility for our people in the music, fashion and film industries.

“In 2014, we made $23m from music alone and about $53m in 2019 and we are looking forward to making $83m in 2025. You can imagine the kind of growth we will have if only we digitise all the NTA stations in the country.”

He said the project for which the ministry planned to borrow the $500m was about employment and revenue generation, saying the industry contributes 1.492 to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“Apart from agriculture, which is the largest employer of labour in Nigeria, especially the youths, the next largest employer of labour is the creative industry,” he said, insisting that the $500m would go a long way in improving the creative industry.

“The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in 2006 gave June 17, 2015 as deadline for all members of the organisation to migrate from analogue to digital. Regrettably, we were unable to meet the deadline along side most countries in sub-Sahara Africa, the deadline was moved to 2017, which was not reliable and today the target is June 17, 2020,” he stated.

He restated the need for the country to meet the new deadline because if the world migrates from analogue to digital and Nigeria remains analogue, it meant that it would be unable to enlighten, entertain and educate Nigerians. He said the loan was aimed at establishing the media and culture industry centre at the cost of $245m, digitise all NTA stations at $11m and construct integrated television services to infuse on network, which is signal distributor and essential component of the digitisation project.

February 10, 2020
Nigeria music revenue to hit $86m in 2021 – Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed says Nigeria music revenue is projected to hit 86 million dollar (about N3.096 billion) in 2021, making it the biggest in Africa.

The minister gave the projection on Thursday in Madrid, Spain at the 11th edition of the Tourism Investment and Business Forum for Africa (Investour) organised by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and CASA Africa.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the forum is on the sideline of the ongoing 2020 International Tourism Trade Fair (Fitur), one of the biggest tourism fairs worldwide that holds annually in Madrid.

Mohammed who was among the panelists at the forum said the nation’s music revenue grew from about 36 million dollar in 2014 (about N1.596 billion) to 53 million dollar (about N1.908 billion) in 2018.

He said a chunk of the figure came from digital music consumption, an area of the market which significantly boosted the industry in Nigeria and paved the way for local Artists.

He said that Nigeria has a very vibrant and popular music industry which not only reflects her cultural richness but has over the years translated into international recognition and acceptance.

The minister also disclosed that fashion and design earnings were put at slightly over N4 trillion of Nigeria’s re-based GDP in 2018.

He noted that tourism is a multifaceted sector consisting of both informal and formal enterprises, with numerous subcategories which include the arts and crafts.

“The activities of the arts and craft industry represent a special category of tourism (SMMEs).

“Although the art and craft sector largely consists of an unskilled workforce and individuals from remote and poor rural areas, it contributes to addressing some of the challenges that local communities face.

“It is also viewed as a cultural activity which represents the essence of the people’s way of life and serves as an integral part of the travel and tourism industry,” he said.

The minister noted that with the impressive figures, the Creative Industry has been viewed as a sector that could help the government reach its goal of diversifying the nation’s economy away from oil.

January 24, 2020
Minister to NBC: Implement regulations on online media, others

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to begin immediate implementation of regulation of the online space.

Besides, Mohammed said the directive covered the regulation of hate speech. The directive, the minister said, was part of measures to reposition the broadcast industry.

The directive, which was announced through a statement by the media aide to the minister, Mr. Segun Adeyemi, is also aimed at sanitising the industry, creating jobs, promoting local content, boosting the advert industry and bringing the broadcast industry up to par with the best practices from around the world.

He added: “Following my satisfaction with the report, which was very professional and detailed, I wish to direct the commission to take the necessary measures to effect the implementation of the various provisions therein.

”This directive covers the provision for the regulation of the web and online TV/radio; regulation of international broadcasters beaming signals into Nigeria; hate speech; human resource and staff welfare; funding for the reforms implementation; monitoring; Independence of the regulator and ease of issuing licences as well as competition and monopoly issues.”

Other major highlights of the directive to NBC, the statement said, include the implemention of the 70 per cent local content in broadcasting under the new broadcast regulations.

The new regulations also frown at illegal use of musical works by broadcast stations without payment of royalties.

It also ends exclusivity in sporting rights in the country.

The statements said: “Other major highlights of the minister’s directive include new regulations to compel broadcasters to utilise the content and services of Nigerian.

”To compel broadcasters to utilise the content and services of Nigerian independent producers in fulfilment of the regulatory requirements for 70 per cent local content, rather than the current abuse of the rules which allow many loopholes for the production of such content in jurisdictions outside Nigeria.

“This will empower local producers with proper funding and investment, enhance foreign collaborations, develop the local industry, raise the standard of local productions and ultimately lead to job creation.

“The new regulations will also ensure that producers of content are paid promptly for adverts and sponsored content placed on all TV, radio and broadcast platforms, ensure that the production of adverts are localised to create and promote local production and, where it is not, to attract a charge every time such an advert is aired, with the charge being put into a fund to help develop local expertise in production.

“For musical content, a new regulation will ensure that broadcasters are prevented from illegal and unpaid use of musical works without payment of the applicable licence fees and/or royalties required by music rights owners.

“Similar provision will prohibit exclusivity of sporting rights in Nigeria, as a new regulation now mandates broadcasters and exclusive licencees to share such rights with other broadcasters to boost reach and also maximise utilisation by all broadcasters of premium content, in order to grow their platforms and investment in other content.”

‘’This regulation prevents the misuse of monopoly or market power or anti-competitive and unfair practices by a foreign or local broadcaster to suppress other local broadcaster in the television and radio markets, having removed exclusivity from all content in Nigeria and mandated the sharing of all content upon the payment of commercially viable fees,’’ the Minister said.

The minister also stressed that the directive became necessary following the satisfactory report submited by the committee which he set up to work out the modalities for the recommendations approved by President Muhammadu Buhari to re-position the broadcast industry.

He expressed the confidence that the new regulations, which are due to come into effect this month, will re-energize the broadcast industry, deliver real value in the sector and grow the creative industry for the benefit of the practitioners.

January 10, 2020
Boko Haram remains technically defeated – Lai Mohammed insists

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said he stands by what he said in 2015, that the Boko Haram terrorists have been technically defeated.

The minister stated this on Monday when he paid a working visit to the new corporate headquarters of “The Sun” Newspaper in Lagos.

Fielding questions from the editorial board of the newspaper led by the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief, Mr Onuoha Ukeh the minister said Nigeria is currently facing global terrorism that has no boundary, no frontier.

“I stand by what I said that Boko Haram is technically defeated.

“What we are having today is global terrorism where you have the ISIS, ISWAP Al-qaeda all working together.

“Terrorism is a global issue. Between 2009 and 2015 we were fighting Boko Haram, but today we are fighting global terrorism where the remnants of the Army in Syria are now joining hands with the ISWAP and others,” he said.

Mohammed said his position in 2015 that Boko Haram had been technically defeated was based on what he saw on ground when he led a team of local and international journalists to the epicentre of insurgency in 2015.

“I was on ground in Bama, Konduga and Maiduguri and I know what I saw before I made that claim.

“We are fighting global terrorism and that is why we are appealing to our foreign partners, especially the UN and our neighbours.

“By the time we get more platforms and the new helicopters that are being expected there will be tremendous improvement.

The minister, who said he was at the newspaper’s headquarter as part of his continuous engagement with the media, enjoined “the Sun” to continue to support the government in fighting fake news and hate speech.

“Fake news and hate speech pose imminent threat to the survival of the nation’s existence.

“The purveyors of siamese twins of evil must be checkmated and government will continue to engage to end the menace.

” We expect you to remain in the vanguard of the efforts to tackle fake news and hate speech.

“We expect you to educate our people on the efforts being made, especially by the government, in this regard.

“This Administration has no intention of muzzling the media or stifling free speech.

“Our campaign is against fake news and hate speech. And we will not rest until our media space has been rid of fake news and hate speech,” he said

The minister said that the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has delivered on the three mantra of fighting corruption, fighting insurgency and improving on the economy.

He assured Nigerians that the government will continue to work the more to deliver on the mandate and lift Nigerians from poverty.

Speaking on the reform in the broadcast industry, Mohammed reiterated that no amount of attacks, will stop the implementation of approved
recommendations on reform of broadcasting code.

He, however, assured that in implementing the recommendations, the government will not tamper with the freedom of the press or stifle the rights of people to air their opinions.

October 22, 2019