News
FG Reiterates Commitment To Youth Development
Joel Ajayi
The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare has reiterated government’s unflinching resolve to passionately address youth-related issues with the aim of placing them on the path of career development, entrepreneurship, skill acquisition and direct employment through various initiatives.
The Minister gave the assurance today in Abuja when he declared open the 2022 Africa/National Youth Day Celebrations with the theme “Breaking Barriers to Meaningful Participation and Inclusion in Advocacy”.
In its efforts to ensure inclusiveness at all levels, and in line with the National Youth Policy, the Minister said that the Ministry has designed and implemented the Mentoring and life enhancement programmes for vulnerable youth and Youth with Disabilities(YWDs ) in different Geo-Political Zones of the Country.
This he added, is aimed at empowering them to cater for themselves and families. *”Our DEEL Initiative which focuses on Digital Literacy and Skills Acquisition, Entrepreneurship, Employability and Leadership have continued to provide opportunities for our youth in training, digital skills, entrepreneurship, soft skills, internships and access to credit and finance among others. The DEEL programme has helped to fill the knowledge and skills gap in the Nigerian youth in the past three (3) years”
He stated further that the Nigeria Online Youth Assembly (NOYA) was another initiative of the present administration, that is geared towards improving livelihoods and promoting the wellbeing and total inclusion of Nigerian youth with opportunities in both government and private sectors *”since inception, the programme has engaged hundreds of thousands of youth, thereby reinventing their future using knowledge and creativity to escape poverty, unemployment, immoral acts and other unhealthy plagues existing in our society”* the Minister reiterated.
He explained that in the nascent days of our nationhood, the youth have stood out and showed the rest of Nigeria and indeed Africa that, with a little push and the right environment, they can aspire to reach their full potentials.
“A case in point is the aspiration and subsequent election of Amb. John Niyi, representing Nigerian Youth for the position of Vice President, West Africa under the Pan African Youth Union. The likes of Tobi Amusan, the Nigerian sprinter who recently set a new world record in the Women’s 100 meters hurdles” he added.
Mr Dare who congratulated the Nigerian youth on this year’s celebration stated further that the occasion provides us with an ample opportunity to critically look into and address issues that have continued to hinder their pursuit for a secured role in decision making, especially on issues that directly affects them, and how to leverage on the experiences garnered from the older generations.
He noted that the Ministry has spearheaded the celebration of this important event since 2007 with series of activities aimed at enhancing the capacity of our youth to contribute to the socio-political and economic development of the country.
In his address, the Honourable Minister, Federal Capital Territory Administration, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, represented by Hajiya Hadiza Mohammed Kabir, assured that the administration will continue to provide an enabling environment for advancement of youth programmes with a view to empowering them.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar called on the Nigerian youth not to relent in giving out their modest contributions towards nation building.
He therefore called on participants to focus on the key objective of this year’s celebration, to ensure that the Day produces the action plan as well as sustainable strategies and milestone that would alleviate the incessant challenges of youth welfare and development.
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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