News
NYSC DG Tasks Media Team to Reinvent Communication Strategy
Joel Ajayi
The Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, has charged the scheme’s Information, Protocol, and Media officers to move beyond routine publicity and embrace strategic, innovative communication that strengthens the NYSC’s image and visibility.
Brig.-Gen. Nafiu gave the charge on Monday during the 2025 Combined Workshop for IPR, Protocol, FOI, and Media Officers, held in Abuja.
The two-day workshop, themed “Building Capacity of NYSC Public Relations Officers for Strategic Communication and Reputation Management,” focuses on communication innovation, institutional branding, and reputation enhancement.
He emphasised the need for communication officers to prioritise perception management, image building, and relationship development through creativity, storytelling, and data-driven insights.
“An effective communication strategy must reflect the political and cultural environments we operate in, free from political or religious bias,” he stated. “Every state office represents a subsystem of Nigeria’s national identity and must be sensitive to its environment.”
The NYSC helmsman further urged officers to embrace multi-platform engagement to reach diverse audiences across generations.
“Because of generational gaps and varied communication styles, when you post on Twitter, you should also share the same message on Facebook and TikTok. That’s balance,” he said.
Nafiu also encouraged information officers to think strategically and entrepreneurially, leveraging communication as a tool to create value and strengthen the NYSC’s institutional reputation.
“We must invest in ideas and content that generate value. As communication professionals, you are the image-making arm of the NYSC. If people don’t hear us clearly or misunderstand our messages, it’s your responsibility to advise management on improving our communication,” he added.
In his remarks, the Director of Press and Public Relations, Mr. Emeka Mgbemena, highlighted the workshop’s role in sharpening officers’ professional skills and deepening their understanding of modern communication and reputation management practices.
“These engagements continue to enhance our capacity for strategic storytelling in promoting the NYSC’s mission, vision, and accomplishments,” he noted.
Mgbemena added that the workshop was designed to refresh participants’ knowledge and equip them with effective strategies for managing information, engaging stakeholders, and projecting the scheme’s policies and achievements.
“The workshop was designed to refresh and equip officers with the latest strategies for managing information, engaging stakeholders effectively, and showcasing the policies, programmes, and accomplishments of the NYSC scheme,” he explained.
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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