The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has lauded the untiring effort of Inner Wheel, an international non-governmental organisation, towards improving the social well-being of the most vulnerable groups in the society.

The minister made the commendation in Abuja on Friday at a dinner in honour of Mrs. Oluyemisi Alatise, who was elected to serve as International President of Inner Wheel between 2016 and 2017.

“The activities of Inner Wheel since I know them have always included preventing child mortality and preventing the spread of communicable diseases. They have been very much involved in providing infrastructure like boreholes, especially in rural areas. Without the contributions of Inner Wheel and organisations like Inner Wheel, there could have been more stress on government. Therefore, I will use this opportunity to congratulate the Inner Wheel and what they have done over the years,” he said.

Alhaji Mohammed, who described the members of Inner Wheel as unsung and uncelebrated heroines of the society, said any authentic non-governmental organisation should be modeled the Inner Wheel, especially in strengthening the moral fabrics of the society and in the provision of selfless service.

The minister said the present administration shares the vision of the Inner Wheel, particularly in operating an all-inclusive government, which is committed to uplifting the less-privileged in the society.

He said: “This government is a government that also believes in the same thing as Inner Wheel, which is broadening and mainstreaming an inclusive government and this is why if you noticed this year for the first time in the history of this country, we have put in our budget what we call social intervention.

'”Before now, the budget of the government will talk about capital projects, recurrent expenditure and overhead. Sometimes they tried to talk about poverty alleviation but the way and manner they implemented it, they always scratched the issue on the surface. But this time around, we decided that we are going to lift millions of people out of abject poverty.”

Alhaji Mohammed therefore appealed to Nigerians to be patient and not to lose hope as the change they voted for will surely materialise through creative policies as welll as prudent and judicious management of the economy, which has been crippled by the crash in oil price and unbridled corruption and mismanagement for the past 16 years.

He said there is abundant discipline and the political will on the part of the leadership of the country to turn the economic malaise into an opportunity by diversifying the economy and weaning the country from addiction to oil wealth.

Alhaji Mohammed congratulated Mrs. Alatise on her election as the International President of Inner Wheel and expressed confidence in her ability to add value to the organisation.

•Photo shows Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, with Mrs. Oluyemise Alatise in Abuja on Friday at a dinner to celebrate her election as International President of Inner Wheel between 2016 and 2017.

Update news