News
Over 400,000 Young Nigerians Gain from FG’s Mentorship and Empowerment Schemes-Youth Minister
By Joel Ajayi
The Federal Ministry of Youth Development has disclosed that more than 400,000 Nigerian youths have directly benefited from various government programmes and initiatives aimed at improving their lives under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Minister of State for Youth Development, Hon. Ayodele Olawande, made this known on Monday in Abuja during a two-day Retreat on Presidential Priorities and Deliverables — 2025 Mid-Term Review.
He explained that the retreat was designed to encourage honest reflection on progress made in youth development while identifying areas requiring greater attention.
According to him, “We are here to review our work at midterm, assess our progress in delivering on the Presidential priorities, and renew our promise to the young people of Nigeria, who remain at the centre of our mandate.
“From the beginning, Mr. President charged us to turn policies into action and to make this Ministry a true place of hope and empowerment.”
Olawande highlighted the Ministry’s accomplishments in the second quarter of 2025: “Digital Skills Training: Targeted 10,000 youths but successfully trained 14,509. Mentorship, Internship, and Apprenticeship: Planned for 80,000 but reached 97,212 beneficiaries. Crime Reduction and Peace-Building: Set a goal of 2,500 but trained 5,023 youths. Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA): Over 250,000 youths actively engaged across NiYA Academy, NiYA Gigs, NiYA Jobs & Internship, and NiYA Community.
“Others include, Youth Help Desk: Received 5,745 cases, of which 3,447 (60%) have been resolved and 1,551 (27%) remain pending. Climate-Responsive Partnerships: Achieved the target of signing at least one MOU and delivered five tangible interventions on climate adaptation. Youth Centres’ Income Generation: Realized ₦31.6 million, surpassing the ₦11 million target.
“These results show that when we are focused and united, we can exceed expectations,” the Minister remarked.
Olawande also revealed that the Presidency has assigned the Ministry an expanded responsibility: to provide women, youths, and persons with disabilities greater access to economic resources, opportunities, and decision-making platforms.
“To deliver on this mandate, the Ministry will: Mainstream gender and disability needs into all youth programmes. Create special access within the National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) for women and youths with disabilities. Strengthen partnerships with women’s groups, youth disability groups, and private sector stakeholders. Establish clear indicators to track inclusion and ensure no group is left behind.”
While progress has been commendable, the Minister admitted that urgent issues remain. These include: Speeding up operations of the National Youth Investment Fund to ensure direct disbursement to beneficiaries.
“Fast-tracking the Youth Bank Bill through stronger collaboration with the Ministry of Justice and the National Assembly. Improving reporting systems for better documentation and recognition of achievements.
Others are Expanding private sector partnerships to mobilize resources and opportunities. Reviving youth centres as hubs for innovation and training. Increasing female participation and representation across all programmes.
“My dear colleagues, these steps are not dreams but urgent needs,” Olawande charged. “Our young people are watching. They expect solutions, not excuses. Let us leave this retreat with renewed commitment to build on our gains, close the gaps, and deliver more in the months ahead.”
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr. Olubunmi Olusanya, emphasized that the retreat was more than a gathering.
According to him, it was “a platform to renew our mandate and accelerate national development that will impact all citizens. It is also an opportunity for honest reflection and for sharpening the tools needed to bring more growth to Nigerian youth in all ramifications.”
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Special Adviser to the President on Policy and Coordination, CRDCU, Hadiza Bala, Mr. Ezeje Ezeje reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to Nigerian youths.
She noted that “under the present administration, every promise made to the youth is a promise kept.”
Also speaking at the retreat, the Director-General of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC), Ms. Rinsola Abiola, assured that the Centre remains committed to working with the Ministry and other stakeholders to advance youth development.
She stated: “This retreat is both timely and strategic. It provides a unique platform to collectively review, align, and sharpen our focus on the priorities of Mr. President as captured in the Renewed Hope Agenda. More importantly, it allows us to deepen collaboration within the youth development sector to ensure that government policies translate into measurable impact in the lives of our young people.”
Abiola further disclosed that the CLTC trained more than 6,000 Nigerian youths in value orientation and re-orientation within the just-concluded half-year period.
She reiterated the Centre’s role in raising young Nigerians who are not only productive and innovative but also imbued with patriotism, service, and integrity.
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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