Abuja: Former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has pledged to donate copies of his book to at least 20 institutions of higher learning across the country. Mohammed made this commitment while donating copies of his book, ‘Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments that Defined an Administration’, to the library of Yaba College of Technology, Lagos.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the former minister announced the initiative, stating that it is part of his effort to support research, teaching, and critical inquiry in governance and strategic communication within tertiary institutions. He emphasized that this decision aligns with his commitment to scholarship and the sharing of knowledge.
The book, as explained by the former Minister, was born out of a conviction that Africans must tell their own stories from their own perspectives. He noted that national experiences are often documented by outsiders, which can lead to distortions due to distance, ignorance, or bias. Having served for nearly eight years as Nigeria’s Minister of Information and Culture, Mohammed was driven by a sense of responsibility to document his experience in public service.
He described the book as an account of his stewardship, chronicling key media moments, policy communications, crises, controversies, and decisions that shaped public perception during the administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari. The book is intended for students, researchers, media professionals, public relations practitioners, historians, and others interested in governance, nation-building, and strategic communication.
Mohammed expressed hope that the book would serve as a reference material, teaching aid, and resource for critical engagement. He believes it will encourage readers to interrogate narratives, seek context, and appreciate the role of communication in shaping national history.
The former Minister was particularly pleased to donate the book to Yaba College of Technology, praising the institution for producing practical thinkers and professionals who engage directly with societal challenges. He emphasized that knowledge should not be confined to private collections but made available where it can be questioned, tested, and applied.
The management of Yaba College of Technology expressed appreciation for the donation, commending the author for contributing to academic resources and supporting intellectual development within the institution.