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Information, Solid Minerals Ministries Partner For Economic Growth

Published

2 years ago

November 24, 2023

Joel Ajayi

Both the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and Solid Minerals Development will cooperate to make the solid Minerals sector actualize it’s goal of contributing significantly to the Gross domestic product of the country.

The Minister for Solid Minerals Development, Dr Oladele Alake made this known on Thursday when he received the Hon Minister of information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris in his Office in Abuja.

Dr Alake explained that the visit by the Hon. Minister of Information and National Orientation ( FMINO), Alhaji Mohammed Idris is most significant in view of the Ministry’s capacity to favourably project the Solid Minerals Sector of the economy in the public glare for economic gains and benefits to the country.

The Minister said: ” his visit has also shed light and put Solid Minerals in public glare . It is to our advantage, and mutual advantage and benefits”.

He further affirmed this strongly, saying ” We will seek your cooperation and infact , I can say categorically, we already have your cooperation in assisting the Solid Minerals sector to meet it’s stated objective of contributing significantly to the Gross Domestic Product of NIGERIA”.

While commending Mr President for appointing a committed and focused person as the Minister for Information and National Orientation, and describing his appointment as ” a round peg in a round hole ”; Dr Alake emphasized that ” In fact our aim and vision is to make this Ministry a very very impactful contributor to the gross domestic product, because it is the next Petroleum of Nigeria, and we have to put all hands together and very confident that together under the able leadership of the President, we are going to take Nigeria back to a higher notch”.

Responding, the Hon. Minister for Information and National Orientation Alhaji Mohammed Idris, affirmed the readiness of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation to cooperate with the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development towards achieving the vision of Mr President for diversifying the economy.

He foregrounded this by asserting that: ”This is the first ever visit as Information Minister I am making to any Ministry. This is the first one and I said, I won’t go anywhere without coming here. Because I want to draw participation of Nigerians to this very critical sector of our economy. It is very important that all of us recognize that, and to cooperate and also join him in pushing Mr President’s vision to this direction”.

Attesting to the dexterity focus and determination of Dr Alake as Minister for Solid Minerals Development, Alhaji Idris said he has successfully brought the Ministry to limelight and front burner of positive public perception.

”You can see that in the way he has handled the Solid Minerals Ministry. It is not a new Ministry , one of the oldest Ministries around. But not many people, when they say where is Solid Minerals Ministry, they will say where is that one.? “, the Hon Minister of Information and National Orientation stated.

Continuing, Alhaji Idris said:” But since he came here, he has managed to put the Solid Minerals sector in the front burner, to the extent that people are becoming extremely envious of this Ministry. Because of what he has done”.

Riding on these observations, the Minister further cited the advocacy visits of Dr. Alake abroad to drive foreign investors to the country, persuasively directing their attention to Nigeria as a destination point for mining.

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Amb Lion Ogorry Files Landmark Lawsuit Against Sahara Reporters, Sowore For Misleading and Malicious Publication Endangering National Security

Published

29 mins ago

November 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry, a renowned public advocacy practitioner and activist, today announced the filing of a high-profile lawsuit against Sahara Reporters Ltd. and its publisher, Omoyele Sowore, in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The suit, numbered FCT/HC/CV/4767/2025, accuses the defendants of publishing a false, malicious, and reckless article that violates Nigeria’s Constitution, the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015, and other laws protecting public discourse, national security, and public order.

The originating summons, filed on November 24, 2025, stems from a Sahara Reporters article titled
“EXCLUSIVE: How Tinubu’s Defence Minister Matawalle Maintains Contact With Bandit Leaders, Ordered Them To Compel Communities To Vote For APC—Former Aide,” published on November 19, 2025.

Ambassador Ogorry alleges that the publication contains grave, unfounded accusations against the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, claiming he maintains illicit contacts with bandit leaders, orders communities to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC), and engages in activities that undermine counter-terrorism efforts.

These claims, according to the suit, are not only false but also fabricated to incite alarm, hatred, and ill-will, while endangering national security and public safety.

In his affidavit supporting the summons, Ambassador Ogorry, a Nigerian citizen and resident of Abuja with a long-standing commitment to public order and lawful civic discourse, emphasized that the article was disseminated widely across Sahara Reporters’ website, social media channels, X.com (Twitter) account, Facebook pages, WhatsApp broadcasts, and other platforms. He described the publication as a blatant violation of Section 39(3)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which prohibits speech that endangers public safety, national security, and public order. Furthermore, it contravenes Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by disseminating false, misleading, and harmful information capable of causing alarm or ill-will.

“The defendants’ reckless actions have not only tarnished the reputation of a dedicated public servant but have also compromised ongoing military operations against banditry and terrorism in Nigeria’s North-West region,” said Ambassador Ogorry. “This publication promotes distrust, exposes the Minister to risks, and undermines the morale of our armed forces engaged in counter-terrorism. It is a direct assault on our national security and the freedom of expression that must be balanced with responsibility.”

The lawsuit seeks the following reliefs from the court:
– A declaration that the publication is false, misleading, malicious, and not protected speech under Section 39(1) of the Constitution (as amended).

– A declaration that it falls within restricted speech under Section 39(3)(a), endangering public safety, national security, and public order.
– A declaration that it violates Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by prohibiting false, harmful, or misleading information.

– AN ORDER OF INJUNCTION restraining the Defendants, their agents, or privies from further publishing, distributing, circulating, or causing to be circulated the said false publication or any other malicious publication especially as it relates to and against the person of Defence Minister, Dr. Matawalle.

– An order directing the defendants to issue a public retraction of the publication and publish a full apology on their website and social media channels for 14 consecutive days.

– General and exemplary damages of N10,000,000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) for the frivolous, false, and malicious publication geared toward endangering public safety, national security, and public order.

Ambassador Ogorry highlighted that the article, based on unverified claims from an alleged “former senior aide,” lacks any official record or evidence, demonstrating the defendants’ disregard for truth and ethical journalism. He urged the court to address this as a matter of urgent national importance, citing precedents such as President F.R.N. v. ISA (2017) and Guardian Newspapers v. AIEH (2011), which affirm that freedom of expression does not protect reckless publications that threaten security.

“This lawsuit is not just about correcting a falsehood; it’s about safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy, protecting public officials from baseless attacks, and ensuring media accountability,” Ambassador Ogorry added. “Sahara Reporters and Omoyele Sowore must be held responsible for their role in spreading dangerous misinformation that could fuel terrorism and disrupt public order.”

The case is set for hearing in the Abuja Judicial Division, and Ambassador Ogorry expressed confidence in the judiciary’s ability to uphold justice and constitutional principles.

About Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry
Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry is a public advocacy practitioner, activist, and Nigerian citizen dedicated to promoting national security, public order, and lawful civic discourse. With a focus on protecting public discourse from malicious interference, he advocates for responsible journalism and governance.

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