Lai  Mohammed 

The war to own the cyberspace has taken a new dimension as the Federal Government of Nigeria is accused of  sponsoring a group of online publishers to achieve certain agenda

 From reactions trailing the visit of the  Minister of Information and Culture,  Alhaji Lai Muhammed to Lagos  to meet select group of such publishers, the  Minister was accussed of meeting  with a select group being sponsored by a department of the Federal Government.

 In a statement, signed by its President (no name mentioned) a body of online publishers called "Online Publishers Association of Nigeria, 
OPAN, dissociated itself from the interactive session with the Minister.

 The groups states: "The Online Publishers Association of Nigeria wishes to deny; disassociate itself from and debunk the impression being created that the Honourable Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Muhammed met with Online Publishers of Nigeria(OPAN)as widely reported in print and online media outlets in the last few days.

 "An association of professionals created to ensure standards has the fundamental responsibility to remain fair, objective and balanced both in its conduct and engagements in a manner that ensures its mandate remains that of its industry and members.

 "The meeting widely reported is one we believe was held with a group of online practitioners who had sought registration but was asked by the Corporate Affairs Commission to drop the use of its name as it conflicted with OPAN, the pioneers. This group later amended its name, and is still being promoted as a private project by a Special Adviser in the Presidency.

 "This propaganda-premised platform is now being represented as the industry. This is not the case and the members of the public are advised to be aware."

 However sources from the group which met with the Minister, who also asked not to be quoted affirmed that  the body,  while not eager to 
join words with OPAN will respond at the appropriate time