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Tinubu Inaugurates National Population Census Committee

Published

8 months ago

April 16, 2025

Joel Ajay

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has inaugurated a high-level committee tasked with facilitating the conduct of the forthcoming National Population and Housing Census, with a directive to submit an interim report within three weeks.

The President, represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, at the inauguration held Wednesday at the State House in Abuja, emphasized that a credible, technology-driven census is critical for accurate national planning and development across all sectors, including healthcare, education, security, and the economy.

In a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, President Tinubu described the census as vital for effective policy formulation and resource allocation, noting that the last census was conducted in 2006—nearly two decades ago—when Nigeria’s population was recorded at 140,431,790, comprising 71,345,488 males and 69,086,302 females.

“The enumeration has to be technology-driven with biometrics and digitalisation. Things have changed since the last time that we conducted this exercise,” Tinubu stated. “Work with all relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. This ministry has to take charge of this because you cannot budget if you do not know how many we are.”

President Tinubu also underscored the need for strategic funding, urging the committee to explore both domestic and international sources to finance the exercise.

The newly inaugurated Presidential Committee on Population and Housing Census is chaired by the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, who pledged to meet the President’s three-week deadline for the interim report.

Bagudu, reflecting on Tinubu’s guidance during the 2023 ministerial retreat, said the committee would adopt creative strategies to execute its mandate despite prevailing economic challenges.

“Despite global economic headwinds, Nigeria under President Tinubu is making steady progress. We are seeing improvements in foreign exchange stability and overall economic growth,” Bagudu noted, assuring that the committee will present feasible solutions for funding the census and ensuring its credibility.

Also speaking, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, highlighted the role of accurate data in national planning, stressing that a credible census lays the foundation for such data.

The Chairman of the National Population Commission (NPC), Nasir Isa Kwarra, who will serve as Secretary to the committee, disclosed that preliminary preparations for the census have already commenced in partnership with the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and other key stakeholders.

According to Kwarra, the commission is currently identifying priority areas and requirements necessary for the President to take a well-informed decision on the timing and implementation of the census. He reaffirmed the NPC’s commitment to delivering a transparent, technology-based enumeration exercise that supports inclusive development and planning.

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

Published

1 hour 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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