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FG set for operation ‘Youth must Acquire a skill’ initiative’ in 774 LGA
Joel Ajayi
a move to change Nigerian youth narrative in the country the ministry of youth development is set to commence operation tagged “every Nigerian youth must have a skill initiative know as Nigerian Youth Academy NiYA across the country, a move it believed will provide job opportunity for at least 7million youth.
The Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande stated this when he played host to the State Commissioners for Youth and Sports Development forum his office in Abuja.
He called on Commissioners to embark on aggresive engagement of the youth in their various state to curb the crime in the society.
He said that the Federal Government through Youth Ministry is to deliver at least two skills to every Nigerian youth and consequently train over 7 million youth within the next 2 years, using the platform of the about-to-be launched Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA)
According to the Minister, the objective of the meeting is to have a strong collaboration with State Commissioners from the 36 states of the nation in order to guarantee effective replication of Federal Government initiatives and programmes aimed at addressing the challenges confronting youths in the nation. He emphasized the need to change the narrative through engagements with the youth from different states and provision of the enabling environment to make them productive.
“line with the renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President on access to capital, job creation, poverty reduction, food security, and inclusion, the Ministry is working with the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), a digital platform to educate, empower and elevate millions of Nigerian youths in areas of capacity building, entrepreneurial support, mentorship and much more.
“As the Minister of Youth Development, I am aware that Nigeria has a high population of youths who make critical contributions in the economic development of the nation.”
“In today’s dynamic world, the youths are the driving force in shaping the economic growth of any nation. Therefore, harnessing this energetic and vibrant youth demography has become imperative for the country’s progress and development.”
” Government will train inmates on skills acquisition, adding that the current administration believes that this approach would guarantee the reduction in the number of repeat offenders and also enhance the reintegration of the inmates who are predominantly youths into the society.”
The Minister also emphasized to the commissioners the need for cooperation in order to ensure seamless implementation of youth programmes and policies, most especially at the state and local government levels.
Speaking further about other activities of the Ministry, the Minister observed that the “youth engagement activities which already commenced in Borno State will continue so that at every point, there is always a platform for youths to offer their ideas and make inputs into government policies and programmes.”
“We are equally working, exploring the prospects of establishing a ‘Green House’ in each Local Government Area that will serve as a facility where unemployed young people at the Local Government level can go to access support and begin their journey towards a productive and gainful engagement,”TThe Minister explained that the Ministry will partner with the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Bank of Industry (BoI) and other Ministries, Department and Agencies to tackle the challenges confronting the youths.
In his remarks the leader of the Forum of State Commissioners of Youth and Sports Development, Nigeria, Bashir Datti, who is also the Commissioner of Youth and Sports, Plateau State assured the Minister that the Commissioners from various States are ready to collaborate and support the Federal Government to achieve these goals, adding that the youths have to be engaged to shun social vices.
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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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