Looters Burying Stolen Funds In Forests, Burial Grounds – FG

Lai Mohammed

The Federal Government says its anti corruption agencies have been inundated with information of how looters have resorted to burying stolen funds in their backyards, deep forests and burial grounds. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Lagos, said the whistle blower policy is working and has led to the recovery of more looted funds in many currencies. Mohammed assured in a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Mr Segun Adeyemi, that all the recovered looted funds were safe and government will give full account to Nigerians. 

The minister thanked Nigerians for their enthusiasm and commitment in helping the government to tackle corruption through disclosure of useful leads to appropriate government agencies. “Since we launched the whistle blower policy, we have received immeasurable support from Nigerians. “Yes, there is monetary reward for any information that leads to recovery of looted funds, but from what we have seen, most of the Nigerians who have come forward with useful leads were driven by patriotism rather than reward. ”Nigerians, fired by a fervid resolve to help banish corruption from their country, have daily inundated the offices of the appropriate government agencies with valuable information. “We have been told how looters have resorted to burying stolen funds in their backyards, in deep forests and even in burial grounds. ”Thanks to whistle-blowers, it is now clear that a rapacious few have pillaged the nation’s wealth through a vicious orgy of corrupt practices,” he said. 

The minister, however, noted that more funds were in the possession of looters than were available to government at all levels to meets its obligations including paying workers’ salaries and providing social amenities. He stressed that the government will not abandon the policy for whatever reason, but will continue to rejig it and make it more effective as a tool for fighting corruption. The minister assured that as soon as the necessary reconciliation process and the litigation in some of the cases were concluded, government would give full account of the recovered looted funds to Nigerians Mohammed re-assured Nigerians who have useful information on looted funds that the government will protect their identities and give them their stipulated reward.

Looters Have More Money Than All Tiers Of Government — Lai Mohammed

Lai Mohammed

According to reports, the Federal Government said in Abuja on Sunday, that there were indications that looters have more money in their possession than all tiers of government.

It however hailed its whistle-blower policy, which has led to the recovery of looted funds in many currencies that he said might otherwise not have been discovered, describing it as an effective tool of fighting corruption in Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said the policy had also shown the depth of support among Nigerians for the fight against corruption.

He therefore thanked Nigerians for the enthusiasm and commitment that he said they had shown in helping the government to tackle what he described as “the hydra-headed monster of corruption” through the useful leads they had been providing to appropriate government agencies.

According to him, ”Since we launched the whistle-blower policy, we have received immeasurable support from Nigerians.

“Yes, there is monetary reward for any information that leads to recovery of looted funds, but from what we have seen, most of the Nigerians who have come forward with useful leads were driven by patriotism rather than reward.

”Nigerians, fired by a fervid resolve to help banish corruption from their country, have daily inundated the offices of the appropriate government agencies with valuable information.

“We have been told how looters have resorted to burying stolen funds in their backyards, in deep forests and even in burial grounds.

”Thanks to whistle-blowers, it is now clear that a rapacious few have pillaged the nation’s wealth through a vicious orgy of corrupt practices.”

Mohammed expressed appreciation to Nigerians for providing formation.

He said, “Thanks to the useful information provided by Nigerians, it is now obvious that more funds are in the possession of looters than are available to government at all levels to meets its obligations, including paying workers’ salaries, providing social amenities, upgrading infrastructure and ensuring the security of lives and property.

”As the looters continue to run helter-skelter, many of them are even abandoning their booty at unusual places, including airports.

“We want to assure Nigerians that we will not abandon this policy for whatever reason. Instead, we will continue to rejig it to make it more effective as a tool for fighting corruption.”

He said the recovered looted funds are safe, adding that as soon as the necessary reconciliation process and the litigation in some of the cases are concluded, the government will give a full account of the funds to Nigerians.

Mohammed re-assured Nigerians who have useful information on looted funds that the government will protect their identities and also ensure that they get the stipulated reward for their efforts.

FG Debunks Report About Monitoring Citizens’ Calls, Social Media Posts

Lai Mohammed, Information Minister

The Federal Government yesterday debunked the reports that the Ministry of Interior was monitoring the phone calls and social media posts of the country’s citizens. A statement by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed described the allegation as another example of disinformation that had permeated the media space.

The Special Assistant to the Minister, Segun Adeyemi, said the intention of those behind the false news was to label the Federal Government as working to stifle the freedom of speech in the country.

He said: ‘’There is no regulation, old or new, from the Ministry of Interior or any Federal Government agency that required the recording of calls or the monitoring of social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Twitter or Facebook.

“We are therefore using this medium to inform all Nigerians that what is being circulated in this regard is totally false and should be disregarded.” He commended all patriotic citizens who had reached out to the government to confirm the authenticity of the information, which is now being widely circulated in the social media.According to the report, all phone calls would be recorded and saved, including communications made through Whatsapp, Twitter and Facebook. It added that all devices had been connected to the Interior Ministry’s systems and urged parents to warn their children against their wrong usage.

The Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu also denied such claims. He told The Guardian that he was “not aware of such regulation and I don’t think there could be such. It may, however, has to do with security. But I doubt if there is anything of such.”

A top official at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), who did not want his name in print, said such alegislation could not work in a democratic setting, except in a military regime.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed to lead a protest against phone tapping or any indiscriminate arrests made in that regard.

No Plans To Sell National Art Theatre To Lagos State Government — FG

 

Lai Mohammed

The Federal Government of Nigeria has says there’s No plan to sell off the National Art Theatre to the Lagos State government (LASG), Lai Mohammed Says

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

MIPTV is an annual leading TV and online content development event and the largest global distribution television and digital content market.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The dinner was hosted by the Director General of National Broadcasting Commission, Modibbo Kawu.

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

Information Minister, Lai Mohammed Gives Analysis On How You Can Earn As A Whistle-Blower

Minister for Information and Culture, Alh Lai Mohammed

Nigeria's Federal Government has clearly spelt out the irresistible benefits that await whistleblowers as it also pledges protection for them, as there are some controversies that some whistle blowers have been victimized. 

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said any whistle-blower whose information leads to the recovery of up to 1 billion Naira will receive 5 per cent of the amount. 

“For those who may have suffered any backlash as a result of the information they provide, their cases will be reviewed and appropriate mitigating actions taken”

“Whistle-blowers have nothing to fear, because the committee has put in place the necessary measures to safeguard those who give useful information. As a matter of fact, whistle-blowers have everything to gain and nothing to lose,” he said.

How much you can make by being a whistleblower:

• Recovery of up to 1 billion Naira will receive 5% of the amount;
• The reward for any amount between 1 and 5 billion Naira will be 5% for the first 1 billion Naira and 4% of the remaining 4 billion Naira
• And then for any whistleblowing amount of over 5 billion Naira will attract 2.5% reward.
• For example, if a whistle-blower provides information leading to the recovery of 10 billion Naira, he or she will receive 5% of the first 1 billion Naira, 4% of the next 4 billion Naira and 2.5% of the remaining 5 billion Naira.

Don't Frustrate Our Efforts On Rescuing The Chibok Girls — FG Tells Jonathan

Lai Mohammed, Minister for Information and Culture

The federal government of Nigeria has urged ex-president Goodluck Jonatha to stop engaging in finger-pointing over the issue of the abducted chibok girls during his regime. The federal government describes the action as unnecessary distraction from the on-going effort to free the abducted girls in captivity

In a statement issued by the Minister of Information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed,following the former President’s reaction to the report by a British newspaper that the British armed forces’ offer to attempt to rescue the girls were rebuffed by then President Jonathan.

”While former President Jonathan reserves the right to defend his Administration, he should not engage in finger-pointing by saying, in a statement, that ‘some people who have obviously been playing politics with the issue of the Chibok girls will stop at nothing to further their interest’,” the Minister said.

He said if anyone ever played politics with the issue of Chibok girls, it was the Administration under whose watch the girls were abducted.

”In a statement on 8 Sept. 2014, we said: ‘President Jonathan-PDP’s political manipulation of the Boko Haram has to be understood as part of its poker-like calculus for clinging on to political power ahead of the 2015 elections. The Boko Haram crisis is readily used by the PDP to rationalise the Jonathan Government’s abdication of its constitutional responsibilities, including visits and assistance to areas affected as well as effective response to abductions (e.g. the GEJ government was silent over the Chibok girls kidnaps for over 15 days)’,

Alhaji Lai Mohammed said the statement has been vindicated by the report that claimed President Jonathan rebuffed an attempt by the British government to help rescue the girls.

"I Never Lied To Nigerians" — Lai Mohammed

Information and Culture Minister, Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has called on those labeling him a liar to provide evidence of one lie he has told to warrant giving a different meaning to his first name.

Mohammed said in as much he was ready to answer different names based on the nature of his job, one thing he did not get himself prepared for was the pure hatred he was getting from the opposition.

The Minister was speaking in an interview with the Sun in Lagos, where he noted that he did his job while in opposition with clear mind and did not attack any individual.

Mohammed, who was the All Progressives Congress, APC’s mouthpiece, noted that the opposition will always attack him no matter what he did, since he played a major role in their downfall.

His words, “I think anybody who occupies a public office should know that this sort of thing goes with the terrain. But probably what I was not prepared for was the viciousness, and the pure hatred, and the lack of objectivity and divisiveness that now accompany it.

“As a spokesperson for the opposition political party, I was always very factual, I was very objective, and I didn’t go personal. And I keep saying, that I challenge anybody to come out and say ‘this is one lie you told when you were spokesperson for the opposition’

“I challenge these people and I say fault me on facts, and not on emotions. Most of the things you see are purely emotional. Many of them believe that, because I played such a major role in the downfall of PDP, no matter what I do, they would criticize it.

“I want them to criticise me fairly. I want them to be objective; I’m ready to take them on. Take for instance, one of them went back and said on December 22nd 2009, I issued a statement that the minister of information should give daily bulletin on the health of Yar’Adua and I said you’re mixing things up.

“Number one, Mr. President is not ill; he is not in the hospital. So, there would be no need for me to give a bulletin. Two, Mr. President complied with the constitution when he was leaving. He wrote a letter to the national assembly that he was leaving on a vacation.“But during his vacation, he would take the opportunity to do some medical check-ups and while he’s away, the Vice-President would be acting president. So, I do not see the situation as the same.

“So, to you my answer is very simple, it is that today, what we have is the politics of hatred, politics of grievances and politics of prejudice. And this would divide the polity.

“But I’m not afraid of being challenged; in fact I love being challenged because I won’t go out without my facts. But when you start to quote me out of context, out of share hatred for whatever reason, you go personal, and you are not objective, that doesn’t slow me down. But it makes one sad that this country can be reduced to this level, and that politics can be reduced to pure hatred, divisiveness, prejudice and grievances.”

Nigeria Is Not A Worst Place To Live — Lai Mohammed

Lai Mohammed, Minister for information and culture

The Federal Government says the alleged Islamisation of Nigeria under the current administration is totally false and should be perceived in its entirety as a campaign of calumny.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed stated this on Monday in Ilorin at the Federal Government Town Hall meeting for the North Central zone.

He noted that in recent times, the media had been increasingly awash with incendiary statements designed to pitch the adherents of the two prominent religions Christians and Muslims against one another.

The minister said the secular nature of Nigeria’s Constitution makes the issue of religious dominance and impunity improbable.

He said, “Such fallacies like the Islamisation of Nigeria, the killing of Christians by Muslims, the labelling of Nigeria as the most dangerous place for Christians in the world can only serve one purpose: trigger a religious war.

“Needless to say, that no nation ever survives a religious war.”

The minister said those making the allegations were using religion as tool to demonise the government and divert attention from the government’s anti-corruption stance.

He said that more often than not, conflicts between Muslims and Christians were fuelled by political motivations, ethnic differences, extremism, intolerance and terrorism.

He said, “Make no mistake about it, there have been conflicts between adherents of the two major religions in certain parts of the country.

“To now extrapolate from that to say Nigeria is the most dangerous place for Christians in the world is a disservice to Nigeria and an overkill.’’

He appealed to the media to desist from providing a platform for exponents of incendiary statements.

The minister also appealed to Christian and Muslim leaders to emulate Catholic Cardinal John Onaiyekan and Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, who formed the Inter-faith Initiative for Peace to promote inter-faith dialogue.

Mohammed said the North-Central edition is the eighth in the series of the Town Hall Meetings, which started in Lagos on April 25, 2016.

He said the intention was to bridge the communication gap between the government and the people, carrying the people along in the process of governance and also getting the much-needed feedback from the citizenry.

The Ministers of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole; Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; and Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu attended the event.

Others are Ministers of State for Mines and Steel, Bawa Bwari, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed and Industry; Trade and Investment, Aisha Abubakar.

The ministers gave accounts of their stewardship and fielded questions from the audience on critical national issues.

source: Today Nigeria

We Promised Change And It Has Come — Lai Mohammed

Alh Lai Mohammed, Minister for information and culture

Nigeria’s minister of information, culture and tourism Lai Mohammed has admitted that the ruling party was overwhelmed with the level of madness, indiscipline and impunity in Nigeria.

According to him, the party was not prepared for the level of rot the administration met on ground when they came into power in 2015.

He, however, claimed that the change the ruling party promised Nigerians has started manifesting.

Speaking in an interview with Sun newspaper, he said: “Let’s look at it, number one, we promised change and that change has come. There is change today from impunity to accountability and it means a lot. There is a change today from corruption to integrity, it means a lot.

“There is a change today in the way people view corruption than the way they use to view it before. You will never live your flamboyant lifestyle again. In 2014 or thereabout when the former President went to Kenya, there were about 100 private jets that went with him.”

“What we did not know was the level of dirt and rottenness, the level of dirt and corruption is what we did not get. We knew things were bad but we did not know things were these bad. We did not know before we came in that there was no savings at all, we did not know before we came in, the madness and scale of indiscipline and impunity.

“ So if anybody says we are overwhelmed, yes we are overwhelmed but not by the work but by the level of rottenness and we want to clean this rottenness and this is what we have been doing. It doesn’t matter what vision you have but if you don’t have the money to execute, its as if you are doing nothing,” he said.

(PHOTONEWS): Buratai, Abba Kyari, Lai Mohammed Visit Shettima Over IDPs Bombing

Presidential Delegation led by the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari are here in Maiduguri to formally convey condolences to The Governor of Borno State. 

Buhari's Government Has Created Jobs For 200,000 Nigerians -- Lai Mohammed

Minister of information and culture, Alh Lai Mohammed

The minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed says “corrupt elements” opposed to the change agenda are making government activities obscure to give the wrong impression that work hasn’t been going on.

According to Lai, the federal government, under President Muhammadu Buhari, has done so much, including the “unprecedented” creation 200,000 jobs “in one fell swoop”.

Mohammed said this on Thursday in Abuja at the launch of the Federal Government of Nigeria Information App (FGN IAPP), designed to provide real time information from the government to Nigerians at home and abroad.

He said the corrupt had chosen to fight the government with their ill-gotten wealth, by “distorting our messages and obfuscating our activities”.

“A government that has achieved the unprecedented feat of creating 200,000 jobs in one fell swoop cannot be said to have done nothing,” he said.

“A government that has liberated every inch of our occupied territory from Boko Haram and sent the terrorists fleeing should not be portrayed as not doing anything.

“A government that is surely and steadily making our country self-sufficient in staples such as rice and embarking on a massive infrastructural renewal cannot be said to be doing nothing

“A government that is boldly tackling an economic recession that was foisted on it by years of profligacy, lack of savings and a sudden crash on oil prices deserves accolades, not vilification.”

He added that the FGN IAPP will help to keep Nigerians and non-Nigerians better informed of the activities of the federal government as well as getting the necessary feedback.

“Irrespective of where you are in the world, from today all you needed to do is to download the FGN IAPP, and you will have access to factual and real time information on the activities of the federal government of Nigeria,” he said.

Mohammed said the ‘Be Inspired’ section of the App will make it possible for any Nigerian, irrespective of status, to meet top political, business, religious and other leaders.

He added that the App also provides a feedback section that allows anyone make his or her feelings known about any government policy or programmes.

Lai Mohammed Celebrates 64th Birthday (PHOTOS)

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed turned a year older yesterday. He was born on 6th December, 1952. 

APC Selects Bolaji Abdullahi To Replace Lai Mohammed

Emerging reports suggest that the All Progressives Congress (APC) has finally chosen Bolaji  Abdullahi, former minister of youth and sports, to be the mouthpiece of the Party.

Bolaji Abdullahi has been chosen as the new spokesman of the All Progressives Congress. Controversy: Saraki bribes Oyegun, as APC stakeholders pick Party’s spokesman

Daily Post reports that Abdullahi was unveiled at a mini convention at Chelsea Hotel in Abuja on Thursday to succeeds Lai Mohamemd who is now the Minister of Information and Culture.

More details later

N Power: FG Have Commenced Shortlisting Candidates for 500,000 Jobs – Lai Mohammed

Alh Lai Mohammed, Minister of information and culture

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Tuesday disclosed that the Federal Government has commenced shortlisting candidates for the 500,000 promised jobs.

Speaking in Abuja, Lai Mohammed said applications were being received and government had started processing them for the recruitment as soon as they have been shortlisted.

The Minister said, “The process for the recruitment has started.

“About 1.2 million people applied and they classified them into categories including agriculture support officers, teachers, technical officers and so on.’’

Mohammed also disclosed that the payment of N5,000 conditional cash transfer promised by the government would begin before the end of the month.

Recall that the All Progressives Congress, APC- led Federal Government, had promised 500,000 jobs for unemployed Nigerians during its 2015 Presidential campaign.

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige had in December reiterated the government’s  determination to create jobs for 500,000 Nigerians, where he added that the sum of N500bn had been voted to cover the cost.

FG is Doing Everything Possible To Secure the Release Of the Chibok Girls --- Lai Mohammed

Minister of Information an culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, says the Federal Government is doing everything possible to secure the release of the Chibok girls and put an end to Boko haram insurgency in the northern part of the country.

In a fresh statement by Mr. Segun Adeyemi, the Special Adviser to the Minister.

The minister, who was reacting to the latest video of some of the girls, said that the government was in touch with those purportedly behind the video.

US isn't better than Nigeria in terms of violence -- Lai Muhammed Replies U.S

The Federal Government has debunked recent negative reports by the United States Government on the safety of citizens in at least 20 of the 36 states of the federation.

While receiving a delegation from the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said contrary to the statements by the U.S. government, every state in the country was safe. His words:

How Buhari saved Nigeria from economic crisis - Lai Mohammed

Lai Muhammed

The Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, says President Muhammad Buhari has saved Nigeria from economic crisis and prevented the economy from getting worse than it would have been.

Mohammed said this at the All Nigerian Editors Conference 2016 in Port Harcourt on Thursday, according to a statement by his spokesman, Mr. Segun Adeyemi.

Why Nigerias’ economy is seriously affecting the fall in Crude Oil Price --- Lai Mohammed Revealed

Lai Muhammed , Nigeria Minister for Information and Culture

The Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed on Thursday explained why the global fall in the price of crude oil has affected the Nigerian economy so hard.

Mohammed while speaking in Abuja attributed failure to save for rainy days as the reason for the nation’s current economic challenge.

UN Officials Attacked By Suspected Boko Haram Members in Maiduguri (Photos)

UN Logo

Report Made it Known that A team of United Nation, UN officials were attacked by Suspected Boko Haram Members on Thursday, DailyPost Report

The UN officials’ convoy, escorted by heavily armed soldiers, came under heavy attack as they were heading to BAMA

A disclosed source reported that the officials, working for the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, were ambushed at an area close to Bama, under Konduga local government area of Borno State.

You Have No Economic Policy, Stop Deceiving Nigerians, — Junaid Mohammed tells Pres. Buhari

Junaid Muhammed

Dr. Junaid Mohammed which is the Second Republic lawmaker, has faulted the comment credited to the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, that Nigeria’s economy under President Muhammadu Buhari is on the right track.

Junaid said both the President and his Minister should stop deceiving Nigerians, stressing that the current administration has NO economic policy.