Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, said he was the most sued minister, probably after the Attorney General.
His successor will inherit 37 suits he has in various courts when he leaves office, according to him.
Mohammed described himself as the longest-serving Minister of Information, having served eight years in that capacity. Mohammed spoke at a send-forth ceremony organized in his honor by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture in Abuja.
He revealed that there was no week President Muhammadu Buhari did not receive a petition requesting his sack, but the president was not perturbed.
He said: “This gathering marks the end of an era, which started on November 11, 2015, when I assumed office after being sworn into office by the President. If I am correct, this is the longest period anyone has served as Minister of Information and Culture. I believe this is a testament to the confidence reposed in me by President Buhari, for which I am most grateful.”
Mohammed said that he served in a period marked by great challenges and great opportunities, adding that while “they jointly tackled the challenges head-on, they also made the best of the opportunities.”
He noted that the ministry under his supervision succeeded in reassuring the world that despite the security challenges in the country Nigeria was safe for business and leisure.
He said: “It paid off when Nigeria hosted four international events, namely the International Press Institute (IPI) World Congress, UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Week, UNWTO CAF Meeting and the inaugural edition of the UNWTO Global Conference on Tourism.
“This wouldn’t have been possible without the support and cooperation of the staff of the ministry, as well as its agencies, for which I am most appreciative.”
“In the course of my tenure, there is no doubt that I had occasions to disagree with some of you for one reason or another, but this was all in a day’s work, and did nothing to affect the cordial relationship that I enjoyed with you. I make bold to say ‘thanks to you all. We have lived up to our mandate,’ which is the management of the image, reputation, and promotion of the culture of the people and government of Nigeria through a dynamic public information system that facilitates access by citizens and the global community to credible and timely information”.
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