Lai Mohammed: Corrupt elements making us look as if we are not working

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 they are not working.

The minister stated this on Thursday in Abuja at the launch of the Federal Government of Nigeria Information App (FGN IAPP) that is designed to provide real time information from the government to Nigerians– home and abroad.

The minister said that the corrupt elements, in particular, had chosen to fight the government with their ill-gotten wealth, by “distorting our messages and obfuscating our activities’’

Mohammed noted that government had done a lot to better the lot of Nigerians and they would not allow the opposition to stifle the progress made by leaving the public space to the “naysayers’’.

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

“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 said.

The minister said 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.

The minister said other value-added services of the FGN IAPP included access to the Tender Journal published twice a month to announce available government jobs.

He said that the innovation would enable more people, irrespective of their locations, to bid for government jobs.

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.

The minister said the App also provides a Feedback Section that allows anyone so interested to make his or her feelings known about any government policy or programmes.

He added that those seeking government jobs could also have information about genuine vacancies in the public service.

The minister enjoined Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora, who are interested in authentic news about the activities of the Federal Government, to take the advantage of the FGN IAPP.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs Ayo Adesugba, said the Federal Government was underreported and the App would help to bridge the gap by providing real time information on government activities and programmes.

Adesugba, said the App would also provide the platform to correct negative reports about the country in the foreign media in particular.

The Chief Executive Officer of the FGN IAPP service provider, Mr Olawale Wale-Falope, said the App would be available on IOS, androids and tablets and would support rich contents, including photos and videos

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was attended by Ministers, Directors and Heads of Parastatal Agencies in the Ministry of Information and Culture.

[NAN]