Why Buhari Is Working With Foreign Media – Lai Mohammed

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has given reasons why the Federal Government is engaging foreign media organisations and networks in Nigeria.

While speaking in London after an engagement with the Royal African Society, Mohammed said the aim is to correct the negative narratives about Nigeria and President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

He said the government is hopeful that the engagement would shape minds and opinions on the true position of insurgency in the North-East, herdsmen/farmers’ clashes and the achievements recorded by the Buhari administration which were being downplayed.

He said: “The whole idea of the trip is to engage foreign media organisations, networks and think tanks to actually explain the activities of government.

“As you were aware, we have been to the UK twice and the U.S. on this kind of mission.

“I think generally it has been quite fruitful because it offered us the platform and opportunity to explain to them what this government has achieved in the areas of security, fighting corruption and in revamping the economy.

“It also gives us the opportunity to disabuse the minds of the people about the insecurity in the North-East and how the government has succeeded in returning normalcy in affected areas.

“It offers us the opportunity to explain that the farmers/herdsmen clash is largely due to population explosion, climate change and criminality as against the naysayers’ position that it is ethnic or religious.

“Really, it has been quite helpful and we will continue with the engagements.”