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FG Inaugurates Project Management Office For Implementation of N110B NYIF
Joel Ajayi
Federal Government has inaugurated a Project Management Office (PMO) for the Nigerian Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), comprising technical persons from the government and the private sector, to manage the implementation of the N110 billion fund.
During the inauguration that was held in her office at Abuja, the Hon. Minister, Ministry of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim stated that the project management office members are responsible for ensuring that they meet Mr. President’s expectations, which include providing sustainable ways for young innovative Nigerians to access capital for starting, growing, and expanding their businesses.
The Minister emphasized that the fund is crucial for achieving key aspects of Mr. President’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda,’ especially in eradicating poverty, ensuring food security, promoting sustainable economic growth, and most importantly, increasing access to capital.
She said: “Members of the Project Management Office should note that any strategy that will be effective must be one that will ease the burden currently experienced by large numbers of Nigerian youth in accessing finance to become self-employed. Such a strategy also needs to provide opportunities for developing their entrepreneurial skills, access to markets, and mentorship, in such a manner that will guide their transition into the challenging business environment and support their growth and sustainability.”
Dr. Ibrahim maintained that the restructured NYIF will be implemented with professionalism, fairness, and utmost integrity. She also stated that timely and results-based implementation are crucial, and she will be requesting periodic briefs and evidence-based updates throughout the process.
She urged the team to follow her vision of establishing a formalized fund that would not only offer access to funding for a substantial number of Nigerian youth, but also provide mentorship and other business support services.
The Honourable Minister explained the importance of including vulnerable groups and underserved communities, as well as ensuring a fast application and fund disbursement process.
“I expect you to hit the ground running and deliver short-term results within the next three to four weeks. At that time, I expect all activities to have been concluded to commence the first tranche of disbursement,” she stated.
In his welcome address, Mr. Olusanya Olubunmi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, tasked the Project Management Office with the responsibility of overseeing the National Youth Investment Fund (NYIF) to ensure it achieves its set objectives. He urged members to adhere to the Public Service Rule and Financial Regulations and to manage the fund in accordance with the approved conclusion of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
Mr. Olusanya assured members of the Project Management Office of the Ministry’s cooperation and support in the discharge of their duties and wished them success in implementing the NYIF.
The National Coordinator of the Project Management Office, Olopade Hakeem expressed gratitude to the President for prioritizing the project and to the Minister for advocating for the youth in the country.
He also thanked all members of the Executive Council for unanimously and judiciously approving the sum of N110 billion for the programme.
Mr. Hakeem pledged to carry out their responsibilities professionally, accountably, and transparently in engaging the youth of the country and expressed openness to ideas for moving the project forward.
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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