Minister launches Info App, says FG won’t cede media space to naysayers

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has formally launched the Federal Government of Nigeria Information App (FGN IAPP), saying the Federal Government will not allow the media space to be dominated by those who are daily working to discredit it (the government) and obfuscate its achievements.

“We realized early on that in order to get undiluted and factual information directly to the people, we will have to do things differently. This is because those who are opposed to this Administration’s Change Agenda, including the corrupt elements in our society who have chosen to fight the government with their ill-gotten wealth, have taken it upon themselves to distort our messages and obfuscate our activities to give the impression that the government is not doing anything.

He said in addition to using the conventional and the Social Media, the government has introduced the Town Hall Meeting that has so far been held in Lagos, Kaduna, Kano, Enugu, Uyo and Abuja and provided a platform for Cabinet Ministers to interact directly with a cross section of Nigerians in a no-holds-barred session.

“Honourable Ministers, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, we must not allow those the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti referred to as ‘’Opposite People’’ to stifle the progress that this Administration has made. We must not leave the public space for naysayers,’’ Alhaji Mohammed said.

He said contrary to its portrayal in certain circles, the Federal Government is making sure and steady progress.

‘’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 other cereals, a government that has embarked on a massive infrastructural renewal and 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,” the Minister said.

He said the Information App will bring about a paradigm shift in the way the government communicates with the citizens by ensuring that authentic and real-time information is delivered directly to them, irrespective of their location.

“Our latest effort in the quest to provide authentic and timely information to Nigerians is the App we are launching today.

Irrespective of where you are in the world, from today all you need 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,’’ Mohammed said.

He listed the value-added services contained in the App as including the Tender Journal that is published twice a month to announce available government contracts, the ‘’Be Inspired’’ Section which makes it possible for any Nigerian, irrespective of his status, age or academic background, to meet top political, business, religious and other leaders and the access to genuine government job vacancies