By Uche Bibilari
Former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, says books are powerful tools to enlighten minds, sharpen critical thinking and deepen understanding of national dialogue.
Mohammed said this during the donation of copies of his book titled: “Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments that Define an Administration” to the University of Abuja (now Yakubu Gowon University) on Tuesday in Abuja.
He said that the book donation was designed to promote reading culture, intellectual curiosity, analytical engagement among students in Nigerian study institutions.
“I make this donation as a modest but sincere contribution to scholarship, learning, and advancement in knowledge.
“Beyond the symbolic gesture, it reflects my enduring belief in the power of books to enlighten minds, sharpen critical thinking, and deepen understanding of our national dialogue,” he said.
The author said that since the launch of his latest book on Dec. 17, 2025, he has donated complimentary copies to two institutions of higher learning, adding that UniAbuja is the third beneficiary of the initiative.
He said that more institutions across the country would also benefit in months ahead.
He described the book as an insider scholarly account of governance, communication and nation-building during his eight-year tenure from 2015 to 2023 as the longest-serving Minister of Information and Culture in Nigeria’s history.
“My privileged access to the inner workings of government for over eight years places a duty upon me to preserve an accurate historical record, clarify misconceptions, and provide context, where it has often been missing.
“This book is therefore my modest contribution to Nigeria’s contemporary history,” he said.
The author said that the publication documented his stewardship of the ministry, covering information management, cultural development, tourism promotion and national orientation.
Mohammed noted that the book provided behind-the-scenes insights into the conception, defence and communication of key national policies during the period.
“Among issues highlighted in the book are the suspension of Twitter, now X, public narratives surrounding the EndSARS protests and Nigeria’s communications strategy during the U.S. 9.6 billion dollars arbitration case.
“The book also captures the country’s response to COVID-19, the resuscitation of activities at the National Theatre, communication strategies for the 2023 general elections and a tribute to the late President Muhammadu Buhari,” he said.
The author said that the book was written out of the conviction that Africans must tell their own stories to avoid distortion or misrepresentation.
He added that his decades of access to the inner workings of government placed a responsibility on him to preserve accurate historical records and clarify misconceptions.
He emphasised that effective communication in governance was a vital bridge between government and citizens, noting that public trust depended largely on clarity of intentions and actions.
“History, after all, is incomplete if those who had the opportunity to serve at the highest levels of government do not document their experiences for the benefit of future generations.
“As I have indicated earlier, the book also details the communication strategies we employed to keep Nigerians informed throughout my tenure.
“These strategies were so important that I consider the way and manner I utilised them as one of my biggest achievements in office.
The former minister said that the establishment of Town Hall Meetings in Lagos in February 2016 was one of his major communication strategies.
He said the meetings were conceived to deepen participatory democracy, by enabling ministers to engage directly with citizens, explain policies and respond to questions.
According to him, the engagements were broadcast live on radio, television and social media to ensure transparency and accountability.
He disclosed that in spite of challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide shutdowns, 21 town hall meetings were held across the six geopolitical zones, including states governed by opposition parties.
He stressed that communication must rise above partisan politics to sustain national trust.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, UniAbuja, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, expressed his appreciation to the author for finding the university worthy to benefit in his kind gesture.
Fawehinmi commended the author for the donation and his contributions to national discourse.
“We are happy that you are still very bright in the mind and in the brain and that you are utilising your period of rest to put it to very good use for the sake of humanity.
“The title of the book is very apt. You have put in most of the activities that shaped the eight years of the immediate past administration of this country.
“I believe this is a masterpiece and it’s something that will be good for my intellectual education and for the memory of that administration,” he said.
He thanked the author for giving back to society by writing and presenting the book to the institution.
He assured Mohammed that the books would be put to good use, adding that it would be placed in the university’s library.
Speaking, the university librarian, Prof. Ebele Anyaoku, expressed appreciation to the author, describing the gesture as a significant contribution to national development and knowledge preservation.
Anyaoku underscored the enduring value of writing and documentation in shaping society.
According to her, the publication will provide students, researchers, educators and other readers with first-hand narratives and insights into the ruling strategies that shaped the achievements of that era.
“It is a very valuable addition to the body of knowledge in circulation and to our collection,” she said.
The librarian described book donation as an act of citizenship and partnership in human development.
She said that while books purchased for individuals have limited reach, those donated to libraries remain accessible to all, regardless of location or time.
“When you donate to the library, it becomes available for everyone. More people will access your book in the library than in a shop or in private ownership,” she said.
She also commended the quality and depth of the publication, observing that its content and presentation distinguish it among other contemporary works.
She reaffirmed the library’s gratitude for the author’s contribution to advancing education and promoting access to quality information, particularly on the critical subject of governance. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Funmilayo Adeyemi
