Digital Technology
Lai Mohammed donates book on Buhari administration’s media strategy to MAPOLY
Former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said his latest book provides insights into how key national communication challenges were handled during his time in office, as he presented copies to the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic (MAPOLY), Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Mohammed presented the books on Thursday during an interactive session with the polytechnic community, describing the donation as part of efforts to promote critical inquiry and strengthen engagement between government experience and academic study.
The book, Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments that Defined an Administration, chronicles Mohammed’s tenure as Nigeria’s longest-serving Minister of Information and Culture from 2015 to 2023.

Speaking on the motivation behind the 600-page publication, the former minister said Nigeria’s contemporary history would be incomplete without first-hand accounts from those who served in the “engine room” of government.
“This book is my own contribution to Nigeria’s contemporary history, from an insider’s perspective,” Mohammed said.
He explained that the 20-chapter book was not written to defend the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, but to document how political communication evolved in the digital age.
He added, “It addresses how we tackled major communication challenges, including misinformation during the #EndSARS protests and the circumstances that led to the suspension of Twitter operations in Nigeria.”

Mohammed noted that government information managers play a distinct role within the cabinet, serving as the “mirror” of an administration.
He also referenced his visits to Boko Haram-liberated communities in Borno State and the Dapchi schoolgirls’ abduction site as part of broader narrative management efforts during periods of intense public scrutiny.
According to him, the donation was part of his Reading Sessions Project, launched on December 24, 2025, at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, to encourage reading and critical thinking among undergraduates.
In his remarks, the Rector of MAPOLY, Dr. Koyejo Jolaoso, commended the former minister for contributing to knowledge and national development.
“We appreciate you for your role in nation-building. This donation goes a long way towards the development of humanity and reaffirms that MAPOLY remains on the map of academic relevance,” Jolaoso stated.
The event was attended by the Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Kamaldeen Balogun, alongside principal officers, staff, and students of the institution.
Digital Technology
Abeokuta Polo Club Launches Free Intensive Tech Training, Targets Youth Empowerment through AI and Vibe Coding
The management of the Abeokuta Polo Club has launched a free, intensive three-day youth empowerment program focused on Artificial Intelligence literacy, website building, and software development.
Organized by the club’s Welfare and ICT Directorate, the initiative aims to bridge the digital divide in the Ogun State capital by equipping young entrepreneurs, tech enthusiasts, and aspiring innovators with high-demand digital skills.
According to an official announcement signed by S. B. Omotoso of the Welfare and ICT Directorate, the transformative program is designed to introduce young people to the future of technology while providing hands-on experience in building modern digital products.
The comprehensive curriculum goes beyond basic computer literacy to tackle some of the fastest-growing sectors in the global tech ecosystem.
Participants will receive practical training in AI literacy, digital creativity, and web application development, with a specific focus on vibe coding, an emerging trend where creators use natural language instructions and AI assistants to rapidly build software.
Beyond technical coding skills, the training will also cover tech innovation, problem-solving, and how to unlock career and entrepreneurship opportunities within the global technology market.
The management stated that the program is fully open to young innovators and budding business owners who want to position themselves for the digital economy.
However, intending participants are urged to act quickly as there are limited slots available for the training.
Online registration has officially commenced, and interested applicants can secure their spots by filling out the application form at https://forms.gle/L9FKL1uTn6byg9rS6.
Digital Technology
Ayefele appoints Dan Kazeem as Fresh FM Ilorin pioneer GM
Media mogul, and Chairman of Fresh FM Nigeria, Dr Yinka Ayefele, has appointed veteran broadcaster, Alhaji Abdulfatai Adeniyi Dan Kazeem as the pioneer General Manager of his latest outfit, Fresh 107.9 FM, Ilorin.
The appointment was made known via a statement released on Saturday and signed by Samson Akindele, Group Head of Corporate Affairs, Fresh FM Nigeria and Yinka Ayefele Limited.
The appointment comes as the newly opened station prepares to commence full operations and establish itself as a credible voice for information, education, and entertainment in Kwara State and the North-Central region.

Alhaji Dan Kazeem brings to the role over four decades of practical experience in radio broadcasting.
His career spans programme production and presentation, broadcast management, and organizational leadership across several reputable stations in Nigeria.
Known for his deep understanding of audience engagement, editorial standards, and talent development, he has mentored a generation of broadcasters and consistently upheld professionalism in the industry.
Speaking on the appointment, the Chairman of Fresh FM Nigeria, Dr. Yinka Ayefele (MON), expressed confidence his Dan Kazeem’s capabilities.
“Alhaji Kazeem’s wealth of experience and reputation for integrity makes him the ideal leader to drive the new station’s vision from inception. We are confident that under his leadership, Fresh 107.9 FM will set new standards for quality broadcasting and community service in Ilorin,” Dr. Ayefele said.
According to the release, Dan Kazeem will oversee the Fresh FM Ilorin’s strategic direction, daily operations, programming, technical services, and regulatory compliance.
He is also expected to lead efforts to build strong partnerships with the business community, government agencies, and the people of Kwara State.
Alongside his reputation as a gifted actor, scriptwriter and broadcaster, Dan Kazeem is graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University and holds a post-graduate diploma in journalism.
His career is marked by a steady ascent through the ranks of Radio Kwara, where he rose from Producer to Director of Programmes, and then Director of Public Orientation for the Kwara State Ministry of Information and Communications.
Dan Kazeem was also the pioneer president of the Freelance and Independent Broadcasters’ Association of Nigeria (FIBAN).
Fresh 107.9 FM, Ilorin, is a newly-licensed commercial radio station committed to delivering balanced news, impactful programming, and locally relevant contents that reflect the culture and aspirations of its listeners.
Fresh 107.9 FM, Ilorin is the latest from the stable of Fresh FM Nigeria which already has influencial stations in Ibadan, Abeokuta, Ado Ekiti, Osogbo, Lagos, and Akure.
With headquarters in Ibadan, Fresh FM Nigeria also owns Blast 98.3 FM and Tiwantiwa Radio 106.5 FM, both operating in Ibadan.
Digital Technology
Orunto champions National Literacy and Intellectual Property Rights on World Book Day
In a powerful call to national intellectual renewal, Chief Abiodun Oladimeji Lasile, the Orunto Baalufe of Owu Kingdom, has urged Nigerians to “go all in” on literacy and the protection of creative rights to secure the country’s future.
Marking the 2026 World Book and Copyright Day on Thursday, the prominent advocate for heritage and intellectual property joined UNESCO and the Nigerian Copyright Commission in celebrating this year’s global theme, “Go All In on Reading.”
Chief Lasile characterized reading not merely as a leisure activity but as a foundational tool for nation-building, asserting that a reading populace is one that cannot be easily deprived of its history or its rights.
‘Reading is not a pastime. It is the first tool of nation-building. A child who reads becomes a citizen who thinks. A student who reads becomes a leader who plans. A people who read cannot be cheated of their history, their rights, or their future.’
He noted that in a modern era dominated by short-form digital content and instant answers, the depth provided by books is more critical than ever for developing leaders who can plan and citizens who can think critically.
The Orunto highlighted a growing crisis in the Nigerian literary landscape, comparing the nation’s books to oil and its research to seeds that must be protected.
He raised the alarm over the increasing threats of piracy and the rise of digital “machines” that consume intellectual work without permission, specifically noting that students and authors are seeing their original ideas vanish into databases without proper credit.
‘Our books are our oil. Our research is our seed. Yet in the cloud and on the street, the Nigerian author is losing pages to silence, piracy, and machines that learn without leave. Students submit projects that vanish into databases and return without their names.’
According to Chief Lasile, the mandate to “go all in” extends beyond the act of reading to the active defense of the Copyright Act 2022.
He argued that copyright protection is a shared responsibility involving parents, teachers, and poets alike, rather than a niche concern for legal professionals.
To address these challenges, the Chief outlined a tripartite commitment focused on access, authorship, and integrity.
He called upon all levels of government and the private sector to bridge the gap in book distribution by funding public libraries and digital reading hubs across Nigeria, emphasizing that a nation cannot read what it cannot reach.
On the front of authorship, he issued a direct appeal to the public to buy original works, name writers, and report pirates to ensure that creators receive the income they deserve from the very first sale.
He further challenged the academic community and the general public to maintain the highest standards of integrity by citing sources, including AI-generated content, and avoiding the unauthorized sharing of digital files.
Closing his address with a message of resilience and vigilance, Chief Lasile reminded Nigerians that while the modern “thief” now operates via a keyboard, the protection of intellectual property remains a moral and national necessity.
He maintained that if the people guard the page, the page will, in turn, guard the people by fostering a culture of thinking and leading.
The annual celebration of World Book and Copyright Day on April 23 serves as a global reminder of the importance of publishing and the legal safeguards that allow the creative industry to thrive for the next generation.
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