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FG financial inclusion policy facilitated by NIPOST, Fidelity bank partnership-Postmaster-General

Published

6 years ago

June 13, 2019

Mr Bisi Adegbuyi, Postmaster-General, Nigerian Postal Services (NIPOST) says Federal Government’s financial inclusion policy is facilitated the agency’s partnership with Fidelity bank to transfer funds between citizens for mutual benefits.

Adegbuyi said this at the Launch of Integrated Agency Banking and Treasury Single Account (TSA) Collections in Collaboration with Fidelity Bank on Thursday in Abuja.

According to him, the growth of e-commerce has forced many postal administrations to explore ways of expanding their frontiers through collaboration with relevant stakeholders to meet the emerging challenges.

He said the launching of the agency banking was part of the efforts to extend financial services at affordable costs to sections of disadvantaged and low income segments of the society.

“The integrated agency banking services incorporate the collections of TSA on a single platform.

“With this development, customers can also get banking services in the post offices nationwide and can deposit and withdraw money, including payment of bills for utility services in post offices.

“The partnership also avails Fidelity bank the opportunity to expand its network using the over 1800 post office facilities nationwide to take banking closer to the people.

“In line with the Federal Government financial inclusion policy to provide financial services the under-banked and unbanked populace, who work in the informal sector of the economy without or less access to financial services,’’ Adegbuyi said.

He added that the model also supported the United Nation’s goal of providing access at a reasonable cost for all households to full range of financial services.

Adegbuyi stressing the need for the partnership said over 20million adults of the total population get their main source of income from subsistence and commercial farming.

“ Over 47 per cent of Nigerian farmers do not have access to financial services because they are mostly based in rural areas and of the 1800 post offices 70 per cent are in the rural areas”.

Adegbuyi said concerning the benefits of the launch that Fidelity bank now would have its Point- of -Sale (POS) used in NIPOST facilities throughout the country.

“The project has the potential to increase the revenue base of both organisations and enhance the saving culture of the rural dwellers as well as help in mopping excess cash from rural areas.’’

Mr Muhammed Balarabe, the Deputy Managing Director, Fidelity bank on his part, said the bank would start the project with 266 of branches across the country.

“Fidelity will collaborate with NIPOST to deliver quality banking so that those individuals who do not have access to banking services before will begin to do so.

“So what we are encouraging everyone is to go and try us out and we assure you that you will not be disappointed.’’

Mr Stephen Ambore, Head, Digital Financial Services, Financial Inclusion Secretariat, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said over 36.6 million Nigerians were not financially included.

According to him the CBN was committed to ensuring that over 80 per cent of this population was included in all financial services by 2020.

He said that the CBN would encourage collaborations by all to make innovative products available to the citizenry.

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

Published

13 hours 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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