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FG urged to give the Youths ” actual power” to participate in policy making

Published

1 year ago

June 2, 2024

Joel Ajayi

The Minister for Youth Development, Dr Jamila Bio Ibrahim has urged the Federal Government to give Nigerian Youths the “actual power” to participate in decision making in the country.
Jamila made this appeal on Friday in Abuja while receiving a team of delegates from National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies(NIPSS), Kuru, Jos who paid her a courtesy visit in her office.
Jamila who stressed the importance of involving the Youths in decision making in the country, further explained that this goes beyond just empowering them to take charge of their lives and improve their access to resources.

According to the Minister, this will enhance rapid development both in policy making and financial autonomy for nation building.

As an immediate response to this agenda, the Minister further stated that in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s eight point agenda which includes youth development, the Ministry of youth development has made a strong case for a 30% inclusion of youth in both policy and cabinet formation at all tiers of government. According to her, this will give more than 60% youth population in the country a sense of belonging while reducing crime and restiveness among the youth.

While indicating the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate with NIPPS,
Jamila Ibrahim also emphasized the concluded arrangements of the Ministry of Youth Development to visit all the youth centers across the country for an on-the-spot assessment to ascertain the challenges as well as looking into how interventions can be made available to them. She also announced the plans of the Ministry to host a National youth conference where the youths will have opportunities to make inputs for the youth roadmap development.

In his remarks, the Director General of the Institute, Professor Ayo Omotayo who led the team disclosed that series of research carried out by the Institute on Nigerian Youths revealed that nobody knows what the Youths really want.

According to him, the Institute is proposing a National Conference where the Youth will be asked what they want and what exactly the country can do for them.
Omotayo expressed worries that Nigerian Youth, being 60% of the population are not part of Policy making in the country.

According to the DG, the purpose of the visit is to look at the possible areas of collaboration between the Institute and the Ministry in the area of Policy making for the Youths, especially at the various sector of the economy where Youth Participation can be involved. The DG thanked Dr Jamila for showing her readiness to collaborate with the Institute.

While stressing the need to have Youth Development Roadmap, Omotayo stated that NIPPS has a platform where policies and strategies are tested.

In his own remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Dr Dunoma Umar thanked the Director General and the entire Management of NIPPS for stretching the hands of fellowship to the Ministry.

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

Published

2 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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