Former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, on Thursday, lamented the destructive power of fake news, sharing how a false report about a phantom $1.9 billion payment nearly ruined his 40-year marriage.
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 underscored the urgent need to combat fake news.
“The menace of fake news is a menace that must be tackled by all of us; this is something that nearly cost me my marriage of about 40 years,” Mohammed said. “While we were in government, there was fake news that I had $1.9 billion in my bank account, and unfortunately, many people believed this falsehood, including my wife.”
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Recounting the incident, Mohammed explained how his wife, influenced by the fake report, approached him with concerns. “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… but whatever happens, it will be good if you make me one of the signatories to your bank account to prepare for any eventuality. Even my friends and many other people are already begging me for money after seeing the report of so much money in your account.’”
Lai Mohammed clarified to his wife that the report was entirely false, noting that the annual allocation for his ministry was N5 billion, totaling N40 billion over his tenure. He emphasized the broader impact of fake news, stating, “You won’t know the weight of it until it is about you. It has destroyed many marriages, many people have even committed suicide because fake news was published about them on social media.”
Defending the administration of President Bola Tinubu, Mohammed argued that the current economic hardships should not be blamed on the government, expressing optimism that Nigerians would soon experience positive changes.
Dr. Lanre Akinola, Head of the Mass Communication Department, highlighted the significance of the event, describing it as an opportunity for students to engage with professionals and gain valuable insights for their future careers. “I am glad the students are excited to meet with the former minister. They have interacted with him, they have drawn inspiration from his very rich lecture, and they must have picked a whole lot of lessons that can help them turn out to be the best in life too; it has been a rewarding experience,” Akinola said.
