We’ve fulfilled all promises to Nigerians ― Lai Mohammed

Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture

THE government of President Muhammadu Buhari has fulfilled all the promises it made to Nigerians, the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed said.

He told State House correspondents in Abuja on Friday that having done so, the government is determined to deliver more.

He said: “I wish everybody Merry Christmas and as a government, we are happy that we have been able to meet all our promises, all our obligations to Nigerians. And as the year rolls out, we are more determined to even to deliver more to Nigerians. I wish to use this opportunity to wish everybody Merry Christmas and a happy new year.

“I made a portrait of Mr President in five major Nigeria attires, one is in Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Efik and one in the suit. It is reminiscent of the portrait we use during this campaign.”

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On the 2018 budget estimates submitted by the President to the National Assembly recently, which has been criticized by Senate President Bukola Saraki and others as empty, he said the government has done its part and it is left the legislature to do its own.

The government’s spokesman added: “It is not the practice of the executive to be exchanging words with the legislative arm of government. They are independent, we are independent but to the best of our knowledge, we presented a budget. Given the circumstances of our resources this year, we feel that is the best we can. It is left for the National Assembly to consider it.”

Also speaking on the threat by the organized labour to go on strike over the new National Minimum Wage, he reiterated that government will continue to engage them.

According to the minister, “the Nigeria Labour Congress is a very patriotic union and I am very confident that they will not do anything that will embarrass the government or do anything that is going to worsen the situation.

“Continuous engagement I think is the key. We continue to engage them and I think they do also fully understand what the challenges are. And both parties are determined to ensure that common ground is arriving at which will be comfortable for all.”