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Youth Minister Pledges to Prioritize Staff Welfare for Greater Productivity
Joel Ajayi
The Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Dr. Jamila Bio-Ibrahim has assured the management of the Ministry that staff welfare and training will be prioritised in to bring out the best in the performance of staff in order to achieve the mandate of the Ministry.
The Minister gave this assurance on Monday in Abuja during an interactive session with the management staff of the Ministry.
Dr. Bio-Ibrahim, who expressed concern over the poor level of staff welfare, said that timely payment of travel allowances and other essentials will be prioritised to ensure optimal performance of staff.
Emphasising the significance of the management meeting, the Minister said that there is a critical need for regular monthly deliberations to enhance the ministry’s productivity and strengthen teamwork among staff.
“Teamwork in the Ministry is of paramount importance, especially in implementing policies for youth development, as the Ministry plays an important role in securing and shaping the future of Nigeria. “She added.
Speaking further, the Minister announced plans to host a ministerial retreat, saying that the purpose is to cascade the insights gained from the cabinet retreat, and to sign a performance bond which aligns with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Administration.
She, therefore, urged all departments to provide periodic updates on their activities to ensure transparency and progress in the ministry.
Dr. Bio-Ibrahim noted that the paucity of funds in the ministry is hindering lots of activities but assured that the management is making an effort to ensure the success of the upcoming retreat and other activities of the Ministry.
The Honourable Minister of State, Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande, in his remarks, expressed optimism that the outcome of the meeting will be purposeful. He pledged his support for enhanced staff welfare.
“Thank you all for having us. I believe that the outcome will be fruitful and contribute significantly to the government. We are committed to doing our best and ensuring that we do the right thing at the right time.”* he said.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Dunoma Umar Ahmed emphasised that the purpose of the meeting is to review the activities of the ministry to track up the programs, to access performances and at the end of the day to ensure that programs are undertaken in line with the agenda of the present administration.
Dr Dunoma Ahmed said, “As you all know that we have very competent and experience staff who are always available to undertake and implement policies of this administration and with the support and direction of leadership of the minister and the minister of state, I want to assure you that we will live up to expectations by achieving the mandate of the ministry”
The Permanent Secretary gave the assurance that the Ministry will implement the digitalisation of the Federal Civil Service implementation plan 2025.
“The digitalisation plan with its six (6) pillars, will come to bear to assist us in undertaking our programs by training and re-training the staff in order to enhance the value of our staff” He said.
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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