It’ll Be Good if You Make Me One Of The Signatories To Your Bank Account My Wife Told Me -Lai Moh’d

According to Punch Newspaper, Former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, addressed the pressing issue of fake news on Thursday, expressing deep concern over its potential to cause severe personal harm. He revealed that a false report alleging a phantom $1.9 billion payment into his account nearly ended his 40-year marriage. Mohammed emphasized the gravity of the fake news phenomenon, highlighting the profound impact it can have on individuals’ lives. He urged collective efforts to combat this menace, underscoring the need for vigilance and responsibility in the dissemination of information.

Speaking at an event titled “A Day with Alhaji Lai Mohammed,” organized by the Mass Communication Department of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Ogun State, Mohammed defended the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu. He argued that the All Progressives Congress government should not be held solely responsible for the nation’s economic challenges, suggesting that the complexities of the situation require a nuanced understanding.

The event, which focused on “Redefining the Role of Spokesman: My Enduring Engagement/Romance with the Practice of Public Relations,” provided a platform for Mohammed to share insights from his extensive career in public relations and communication. He stressed the importance of integrity and accuracy in the practice, drawing from his personal experiences to illustrate the broader implications of misinformation. His speech aimed to shed light on the critical role that communicators play in shaping public perception and maintaining societal trust.

During his address, Mohammed recounted a personal anecdote to illustrate the devastating effects of fake news. He described how his wife, concerned by the false report of a substantial sum in his bank account, approached him in the middle of the night with a request to be added as a signatory. This incident, he noted, exemplifies the kind of unwarranted distress and mistrust that fake news can generate within families and communities.

Mohammed’s remarks at the event served as a call to action for journalists, public relations professionals, and the general public to take a proactive stance against the spread of false information. By sharing his personal ordeal, he highlighted the urgent need for ethical standards and rigorous fact-checking in the media industry.

He said: “One day, my wife woke me up in the middle of the night and spoke in Yoruba, She called me: ‘Daddy,” and I said, ‘Yes, what is it?’ She said, ‘We all know that death can come at any time; we may say it wouldn’t be this early but it may be, but whatever happens, it will be good if you make me one of the signatories to your bank account to prepare for any eventuality….Seē _ Morē