News
Blackout on Info Ministry FB, Twitter Pages
The Federal Ministry of Information (FMI), the nation’s gateway to information appears to be out of touch with current realities as its social media pages in facebook and twitter handle lack visitors and they are not doing anything about it, Nigeria CommunicationsWeek investigations have revealed.
Although with a functional conventional-official website, FMI social media- facebook and twitter handle, are yet to gather momentum associated with such participatory media points nine months after they were launched.
Ostensibly, social media have historically seized the moment, setting aside the conventional-official websites and have helped to define Nigeria’s contemporary issues. However, as at the time of this report, only 1, 964 people have join facebook page the Federal Ministry of Information opened on November 30, 2011.
The supposedly Nigeria’s information centre with a vision: “To create a proactive technology driven public information hub, with effective feedback mechanism as well as telecommunications transformation in line with global best practices,” it appears the information managers are left with nothing on how to win public trust and confidence for present government hence no posting on the page had more than 15 ‘comments’.
The page believed to be supervised by Labaran Maku, minister of Information, could be in a crossroad on how, “To provide the citizenry with credible and timely information on government activities, programmes and initiatives; while creating an enabling technological environment for socio-economic development of the nation,” as the Ministry’s mission states.
Apart from press statement attributed to Dr. Reuben Abati, special adviser to the President on Media & Publicity, which recorded seven ‘likes’ fifteen ‘comments’ and one ‘share’ other posting are there for ‘poster(s)’consumption.
For instance, on one occasion, a message attributed to President Goodluck Jonathan which read: “On the 11th of October 2011 when I launched the Youth Enterprise With Innovation in Nigeria (YouWin) initiative, I promised that this administration would see the scheme through and ensure that youths are empowered with skills and the finances to create business that would employ other youths. At that time I said “unemployment among our youth is one of our biggest challenges. The time has come to create jobs (and) lay a new foundation for Nigeria’s economic growth”.
“I am glad to report to you that the Federal Government has lived up to that promise and 1200 youths drawn from all over Nigeria have emerged as winners after submitting business proposals that were adjudged by an independent non governmental panel as viable. This first round of winners will now receive the capital to start up new businesses or enlarge established enterprises.
“Now that the Federal Government has lived up to this promise, I encourage all winners and participants to take advantage of the skills received during the training exercise that preceded the announcement of winners. Nigerians are hardworking people. More than the money, the real prize arising from this scheme, is the determination of the Nigerian youth to excel!” GEJ. The quote managed to record four visitors-three likes and a comment as at March 28, 2012. Even Mr. President’s speech (Broadcast) to Nigerians on the Deregulation of the Downstream Sector and dated Januray 8, 2012 witnessed a total of eight visitors- three ‘likes’ and five ‘comments’.
Similarly, @FMINigeria on Twitter, the Twitter handle for the ministry has just 5,000 followers since inception which raises eyebrows on tactical approach the ministry has engaged in fulfilling it mandate anchored meant, “To proactively inform, enlighten, and educate the citizenry on the activities, actions, policies and programmes of government and to initiate and supervise telecommunications policies in Nigeria.
The corporate goals and objectives of the Federal Ministry of Information are derived from policy directives and guidelines on management of public information as may be defined or prescribed by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces from time to time.
As Mr. Uyi Omokaro, managing director, David’s Mighty Men (DM2), a Marketing Communications firm, once told the media, “…the internet population in Nigeria is about the largest population at the moment. There are about 44 million Nigerians on-line, even more than half of that is mobile.
“People are on twitter, yahoo, facebook, and browsing big websites…no matter the site, we get our news on-line. So if you want to run a massive campaign in Nigeria, 44 million people are a huge chunk of your audience”.
But this sees to have been neglect at the moment by the nation’s public information managers.
News
Senate Committee Partners with Kuda Bank to Tackle Compliance Crisis as Nigeria Loses ₦3.4 Trillion
Over ₦3.4 trillion in financial infractions were uncovered across federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in 2021, according to the Auditor General’s report — a staggering figure that highlights Nigeria’s deepening compliance crisis and the urgent need for stronger oversight in public institutions.
In response, the Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance is hosting a high-level workshop to address the root causes of weak oversight and institutional gaps. The two-day event, with the theme ‘Consolidating Strategies for Strengthening Legislative Compliance by MDAs’, will take place on April 15 and 16, 2025 at NAF Suites, Abuja, bringing together lawmakers, regulators, and over two hundred representatives from federal MDAs.
Kuda Microfinance Bank is co-sponsoring the workshop as part of its commitment to supporting responsible innovation, governance, and regulatory alignment in Nigeria’s financial ecosystem.
Rasaq Kadri, Kuda’s Head of Compliance, will deliver a keynote address on the second day of the event, highlighting the efforts of Nigeria’s fintechs to promote inclusion and financial literacy without compromising on compliance best practices.
“When public funds go unaccounted for, it doesn’t just damage government credibility, it affects the entire financial ecosystem, including fintechs,” said Kadri. “We can’t build trust-driven products in a trust-deficient environment. Every time compliance is treated as a box-ticking exercise, we miss the chance to build something that lasts. Fintechs have the tools and perspective to support better governance, but more importantly, we have a responsibility to be part of the solution.”
As a sponsor, Kuda will take the workshop to engage directly with key stakeholders in Nigeria’s regulatory and public service ecosystem.
Plenary sessions will be chaired by the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, and the Honourable Minister of Finance, Wale Edun. Conversations will focus on closing compliance gaps, strengthening institutional transparency, and promoting cross-sector collaboration.
The Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance Workshop is a unique platform for dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and collaborative action.
The Federal Government has inaugurated the new Board of Directors of Galaxy Backbone Limited (GBB). The board’s mandate is to lead Nigeria’s digital transformation in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure and services.
It will support Federal Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in a fast-changing landscape.
George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, led the inauguration. He emphasised the government’s commitment to making GBB more agile, responsive, and impactful. The aim is to drive national digital public infrastructure and service delivery. This was according to a statement by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations.
The board has George Akume as Chairman. Its members include Rabi’a Adamu Waziri from the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), Abubakar Abdulqadir Maje from the Joint Stock Association (JSA), Kemi Owonubi from the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), and Margareth Ebute from the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy.
Other members are Ibrahim Adeyanju, Olusegun, Olumbe Akinkugbe, Sanni Ibrahim Mohammed, and Adama Pindar from Galaxy Backbone Limited.
In his acceptance speech, Prof. Ibrahim Adepoju Adeyanju, Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone Limited, assured that the board will focus on sustainability. He said it plans to realign its vision and build a strong foundation for achieving strategic goals.
He also noted that within one year, the agency developed its Integrated Digital Transformation Strategy (IDTS). This strategy will run from 2025 to 2028.
Smart Treasure (ST Team) has honored the Deji of Akure, His Royal Highness Ọbá Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Odundun II, CFR, with a plaque of recognition for his dedication to the welfare of his subjects.
The presentation was made at the monarch’s palace in Akure by a delegation led by Instructor Luke Mbadugha from the Lagos Operations Center.
The visit was part of ongoing discussions on a partnership aimed at boosting agriculture in Akure, Ondo State.
The initiative, spearheaded by the ST Team, seeks to ensure the availability of farmland for agricultural purposes.
Under the arrangement, the ST Team will provide seedlings and manpower, while a significant portion of the proceeds will be distributed to the indigenes at no cost.
The remaining proceeds will support the administrative operations of the ST Team.
In his response, Ọbá Aladetoyinbo announced the allocation of a parcel of land at Ofosu, along the Ondo-Benin Road, for the project.
He described the initiative as a commendable effort to enhance food security for both the local community and the nation.
The monarch also called for a follow-up meeting to facilitate the assessment of the land for the project’s commencement.
Meanwhile, farming activities are set to resume at Aladodo Isikan in Akure South Local Government Area, another site designated for the agricultural project.
The four-acre land will be used to cultivate crops such as yam, cassava, plantain, and maize. A test run of maize planting began on April 9, 2025, with expectations of harvesting in three months.
Kabiesi Akinwunmi Adekanmbi Obey, the monarch of Olulero Okelero, Onitan Isikan, lauded the ST Team for their commitment to ensuring food availability.
He emphasized the importance of agriculture, stating, “Whoever brings food brings life.”
The ST Team, an investment platform dedicated to reducing poverty in Africa by 30% by 2027, has been actively involved in various Corporate Social Responsibility programs, including this agricultural initiative.
The project underscores their mission to create financial freedom and improve the quality of life for individuals across the continent.
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