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Nigeria’s Sporting Achievements Now Worth Celebrating – Agara
Joel Ajayi
President of the Karate Federation of Nigeria, Silas Agara, has emphasized the need to celebrate the significant strides made in Nigerian sports, particularly in the discipline of karate.
Speaking on the sidelines of the ongoing 2025 African Karate Federation Championship in Abuja, Agara expressed immense pride in Nigeria’s role as host, as well as the country’s impressive performance at the continental event.
“It’s a moment of pride for every sports enthusiast, especially those involved in karate. Beyond the honour of hosting, we’ve made major strides in our performance.”
The championship, which has drawn athletes from over 34 African countries, has been widely applauded for its top-tier organization, world-class infrastructure, and warm hospitality—qualities.
Reflecting on Team Nigeria’s achievements, Agara noted the country’s significant improvement on past performances.
“Before now, our best outing at the African Championship yielded just one gold medal in the minus-60kg category.
“But this year, we’ve won one gold, two silver, and two bronze medals. That’s a tremendous leap from what we recorded at the last championship in Egypt.”
He further revealed that Nigeria had qualified for two more finals and expressed hope for additional medals before the close of the tournament.
Agara also emphasized the broader impact of the event, noting the transformation in perception among first-time visitors to Nigeria.
“Many of the athletes came in unsure of what to expect, but they are leaving with a completely different view of Nigeria. From airport reception to hotel accommodation and the velodrome experience, they’ve seen that Nigeria is safe, hospitable, and highly accommodating,” he said.
The event also made history as Nigeria’s first time hosting the African Karate Championshipand with a record number of participating nations.
“This is the first time any edition of the championship has had over 30 countries in attendance. We have 34 countries here in Abuja, which is unprecedented,” Agara said, quoting the President of the African Karate Union.
He praised the standard of facilities and the overall atmosphere of the championship, adding that many have compared the event to a world-class tournament.
“This proves that Nigerian sports have evolved to a level worthy of national celebration,” he affirmed.
Agara concluded by appreciating the support of the local sports community, highlighting the selfless contributions of individuals and organizations.
“From those who brought water for the athletes to those who offered gifts to foreign participants, the sense of unity and hospitality has been overwhelming. This is the true Nigerian spirit, and we are proud to showcase it.”.
News
Amb Lion Ogorry Files Landmark Lawsuit Against Sahara Reporters, Sowore For Misleading and Malicious Publication Endangering National Security
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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