News
HCSF Applauds Governor Zulum’s Visionary Leadership During Visit to Maiduguri Government House
Joel Ajayi
In a strong show of support for sub-national reforms, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, OON, mni, has commended the Governor of Borno State, His Excellency, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, for his exceptional leadership and reform-driven governance, which continue to enhance public service delivery and foster sustainable development.
Speaking during a courtesy visit on the governor, the HCSF described the visit to the State as insightful and memorable.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director, Information and Public Relations Mrs Eno Olotu, stated that Walson-Jack expressed deep appreciation to Governor Zulum for the warm hospitality extended to her delegation and for his steadfast partnership with the Federal Civil Service.
She praised the Governor’s visionary leadership and reform-driven governance to enhance public service delivery and promote sustainable development across the State.
Mrs. Walson-Jack highlighted several key engagements she undertook while in the State including her participation at the 110th Regular Meeting of the Committee of Chief Medical Directors and Directors of Federal Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria, where she delivered the keynote address; the commissioning of strategic healthcare infrastructure; an inspection tour of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital; as well as strategic engagements with staff of federal institutions at the Federal Secretariat and the Federal Training Centre (FTC), Maiduguri.
According to her, these engagements provided valuable insights into local service delivery efforts and presented opportunities for stronger intergovernmental collaboration.
The HCSF particularly commended the Zulum-led administration for its deliberate investment in capacity building for Civil Servants. She noted that the structured training programmes, institutional reforms, and emphasis on performance management in Borno State are in strong alignment with the priorities of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 (FCSSIP25).
She further applauded Borno State’s active participation in key national reform initiatives, including the 2025 Civil Service Week held in Abuja, the Institutional Strengthening Retreat in Katsina, and the maiden International Civil Service Conference (ICSC) declared open by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. These efforts, she said, reflect a firm commitment to building a modern, efficient, and people-oriented Civil Service.
In line with ongoing digital transformation under FCSSIP25, the HCSF presented a number of federal digital initiatives aimed at enhancing service efficiency, transparency, and engagement. These include ServiceWise GPT – an AI-powered tool for civil service knowledge access; GOVMAIL – a secured official email system for civil servants; the Online Compendium of Federal Circulars; the Federal Civil Service Online Academy; and monthly publications such as Civil Service News and the Service Welfare Newsletter. She encouraged the Borno State Government to explore adaptation of these innovations to strengthen service delivery at the State level.
A notable highlight of the visit was the commendation of the restoration and revitalisation of the Federal Training Centre (FTC), Maiduguri, which had previously been displaced due to insurgency.
Mrs. Walson-Jack announced that the Centre has now secured full accreditation from the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to offer diploma-level training in key areas such as Public Administration, Office Technology, and Procurement and Supply Chain Management. She attributed
this milestone to Governor Zulum’s unwavering support and leadership, describing his intervention as pivotal to the Centre’s recovery and repositioning.
In his response, Governor Zulum welcomed the HCSF and her delegation, and commended the HCSF for her resilience, focus, and dedication to driving critical reform initiatives at the federal level and promised to domesticate them at the state level.
He acknowledged the synergy between federal and state-level reforms and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing workforce productivity, and ensuring the welfare of Civil Servants in Borno State.
The HCSF reiterated the commitment of the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to sustaining collaboration with the Borno State Government, with a shared goal of building a resilient, professional, and citizen-focused public service
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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