Lai Mohammed Claims Nigeria Was In A ‘Pariah State’ Under Jonathan

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has been assessing President Muhammadu Buhari’s foreign trips, describing them as good for the image of Nigeria.

This was part of the outcome of the Wednesday meeting of the Council held at the Council Chambers and presided over by President Buhari.

Members of the Council were disturbed by criticisms that have trailed the President’s frequent trips abroad and the Minister of Foreign Affairs came with a memo to explain to the Council the gains from such trips, as enumerated by the Minister of Environment, Amina Mohammed, whose ministry had also been involved in some of the trips.

After briefing reporters on the outcome of the meeting, State House correspondents wondered why the FEC sat for several hours only to discuss the President’s foreign trips.

Responding to the questions, the Minister of Information, Mr Lai Mohammed, said Nigeria was almost a ‘pariah state’ before President Buhari assumed office last May.

He claimed that no investors and investment came into the country during former President Goodluck Jonathan regime until the present administration took over power.

Foreign trips by Nigerian leaders remain one factor that has played out in every administration since the return to democracy.

Critics have never speared Nigerian leaders who frequently engage in it.

Perhaps the criticisms will stop when Nigerians begin to see concrete results, as the government tries to explain.