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Display Christ’s virtues beyond Christmas, Akobundu urges Christians

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As Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings,  born in a manger at Christmas, they should emulate His humility, love for one another and other virtues Christ represent and reflect on making the world a better place which was his ultimate  goal, says Princess Gloria Akobundu fsi, National Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer, AUDA-NEPAD/APRM Nigeria.


In her Christmas message, through a Statememt signed by the Media Assistant to NC/CEO, AUDA-NEPAD/APRM NigeriaAbolade Ogundimu, Princess Akobundu made the call in a Christmas message on Sunday, 25th December,2022.


According to the Agency’s Boss, if people can emulate the great virtues of Christ from his conception, birth and life style on earth, the joy that he brings will reach out to the whole world and it will be a better place for all.


She urged the people, especially Christians, to remember that Jesus Christ was born in a manger and became the King of Kings, saying  that social or economic background should not serve as hindrance to one’s ambition for personal and societal development.


“While Jesus was living on earth, He showed indiscriminate love to people around Him, He humbled Himself, showed forgiveness and other great virtues that endeared Him to Christians and non-Christians alike”.
She said those virtues should not be rhetorics but become everyone’s culture for better living.


The Agency’s Boss who is also an advocate of Violence-free and credible elections equally urged State and non-State actors in the electoral process to be committed to free,fair and credible elections in year 2023 and beyond, urging them to eschew violence.


Akobundu also lauded President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to good governance and rapid development of the nation. she   called for more collaboration and cooperation of strategic and other stakeholders in the programmes and activities of the Agency.


It will be recalled that the Agency’s flagship programmes include AUDA-NEPAD Initiative to strengthen Smallholder Farmers Capabilities towards Productive Land Restoration amid COVID-19 Pandemic, Implementation of National Plan of Action (NPoA) for Nigeria’s  Second Country Review Report, among others.
The Agency has the mandate to implement and promote regional and global developmental programme that are in tune with the policies of  the Federal Government of Nigeria.


The CEO of AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria wished the nation a Merry Christmas and prosperity in the coming year 2023. 

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

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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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