MAKU: FG DID NOT PLACE ORDER FOR GOLD-PLATED iPhones.       

  Labaran Maku,  Information Minister

The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, has denied the allegation that the federal government ordered 53 customised gold iPhones ahead of the country’s 53rd independence anniversary on October 1.

Maku, in a statement signed by his Press Secretary, Joseph Mutah, denied the report credited to the founder of Gold and Co., Amjad Ali, who claimed  that the Nigerian government had ordered the iPhones, which would be engraved with Nigeria's coat of arm, a shield and two horses.

According to him, the story was false in its entirety and nothing but the figment of the warped imagination of those behind it.

"Neither the Federal Government of Nigeria nor any of its agencies contemplated the idea or placed any order for gold-plaited iPhones for the nation's 53rd independence anniversary, or any anniversary for that matter," he said.

The minister urged Nigerians and the international community to disregard the story, describing it as a blackmail against the government for political reasons.

"We therefore call on Nigerians and the international community to disregard the story linking the federal government with the importation of the gold-plated iPhones. The blatant falsehood in the story is one of those mischievous attempts at tarnishing the image of the federal government," he added.

He also urged private individuals, who were financially buoyant to purchase such luxuries to invest in the country's economy.

"For private individuals, who are extravagant enough to contemplate the importation of luxury items such as gold-plaited iPhones, we would like to use this opportunity to appeal to them to invest their wealth in the Nigerian economy, to create jobs and generate more wealth for the nation, rather than waste such money in pursuit of expensive tastes. They should copy the examples of Aliko Dangote, Innocent Chukwuma (Innoson Motors), and others who are using their talents and wealth to invest in the economy to create jobs for Nigerians," Maku stated.

Also reacting, the presidency urged a Dubai-based company, from which the customised gold iPhones were ordered to reveal who its clients are.

The presidency, which described the story not only as false and misleading, but utterly mischievous, said the story was released to tarnish the image of President Goodluck Jonathan.

According to the Special Adviser to the president on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the president had since 2011 avoided hosting a full-fledged celebration on October 1, a situation which had also attracted criticism from a cross-section of people in the country.

Abati, who stressed that criticisms would not deter the government from sticking to its policy of prudent use of the nation’s resources, emphasised that this year’s anniversary would also be devoid of big celebration.

“Neither the federal government nor its agencies has ordered any gold iPhones to mark the anniversary,” Abati said, adding that:  “We do not see any justification for such extravagance either now or at any other time. The Jonathan administration’s gold standard is to continue to provide responsible, committed, and result-oriented leadership, not to engage in the purchase and distribution of party gifts.”

“We urge the Dubai-based company, which has since said that the order for the said 53 gold i-phones was placed by a private individual and not the Nigerian government, to go ahead and disclose the identity of that individual,” he further added.

He appealed to Nigerians to “beware of the increasing desperation of those with politically vested interests, seeking to pull down this administration. Their moral bankruptcy is condemnable.

“The Jonathan administration,” he assured, “will remain focused as it continues to serve the Nigerian people diligently.”

Source; ThisDay.