Former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has lamented the devastating effects of fake news on individuals and marriages. Speaking at a programme organized by the Mass Communication Department of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Mohammed shared his personal experience of how a false report about a phantom $1.9 billion paid into his account nearly destroyed his 40-year-old marriage.
Mohammed, who was a guest speaker at the event, titled “Redefining the Role of Spokesman: My Enduring Engagement/Romance with the Practice of Public Relations”, recounted how his wife was misled by the fake news report and became convinced that he had amassed such an enormous amount of wealth. According to him, his wife’s concern for their financial future prompted her to ask him to make her a co-signatory to his bank account, fearing that death could strike at any moment.
The former minister explained that he had to take time to clarify the situation with his wife, explaining that the report was entirely fabricated and that his ministry’s allocation for an entire year was N5 billion, not $1.9 billion. Mohammed emphasized that fake news has the potential to destroy many marriages and even lead to tragic consequences, such as suicide.
Mohammed also used the occasion to defend the President Bola Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress government against accusations of being responsible for the economic crisis in the country. He assured Nigerians that the government means well for the nation and will soon bring relief to the people.
In his address, Mohammed called on all stakeholders to join hands in combating the menace of fake news, which he believes is a serious threat to national development. He urged people to verify information before sharing it online to prevent the spread of misinformation.
The event, organized in collaboration with Nigeria Union of Journalists and Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Ogun State chapter, aimed to provide a platform for students and professionals in mass communication to interact with a veteran public relations practitioner like Mohammed. The students were said to have benefited greatly from his insightful lecture and have gained valuable lessons that will help them in their future endeavors.
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