Omoyele Sowore
Omoyele Sowore (born 16 February 1971) is a Nigerian human rights activist, and founder of online media, Sahara Reporters.[1]
Omoyele Sowore | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Sowore in 2016 | |
| Born | 16 February 1971 Ondo State, Nigeria |
| Education | University of Lagos University of Columbia |
| Occupation(s) | human rights activist, blogger, writer, lecturer, |
| Website | saharareporters |
Background change
Sowore was born in Ondo State in South West Nigeria. He was raised in a polygamous home with sixteen children.[2] At 12, he learnt how to ride a motorcycle so that he could fish at the lake for the family before going to school. The military rule in Nigeria affected his passion and desire for media.[3]
Education change
Sowore studied Geography and planning at the University of Lagos from 1989 to 1995. He spent two extra years in the university because of political reasons and his student activism. He was the President of the University of Lagos Student Union Government between 1992 and 1994 where he actively talked against cultism and corruption. He holds a Master degree in Public Administration from University of Columbia. [4]
Activism change
In 1989, he took part in student demonstrations protesting the conditions of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan of $120 million to be used for a Nigerian oil pipeline. Among the conditions of the IMF loan were to reduce the number of universities in the country from 28 to 5.[5]
Sowore led 2,000 students in protest against the Nigerian government in 1992. During the protests, the police started shooting and seven people were killed. Sowore was arrested and tortured. He was also involved in the demand for democratic government taking over military rule in June 12, 1993. This resulted in several arrests, detentions and life threatening treatment by government officials.[6]
Sahara Reporters change
Sowore started Sahara Reporters in a small room in Manhattan 2006 to fight against corrupt and wrong government practices. Sahara Reporters is supported by grants donated by the Ford Foundation and Omidyar Foundation. It does not accept adverts or financial support from the Nigerian government.[7]
Presidential campaign change
On February 25, 2018, Sowore announced his intention to run for president in the 2019 Nigerian general election. He was also helped by a Ugandan political activist Hon Abe Moses a Youth MP in Eastern Uganda[8]
Related pages change
References change
- ↑ Spiegel, Brendan (2011-11-19). "From Safety of New York, Reporting on a Distant Homeland". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
- ↑ "Meet Omoyele Sowore, The Founder Of Sahara Reporters [Photos] - INFORMATION NIGERIA". INFORMATION NIGERIA. 2015-10-24. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
- ↑ "How I Started SAHARA REPORTERS In 2006 - US Based Founder, OMOYELE SOWORE Tells City People | City People Magazine". City People Magazine. 2017-05-29. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
- ↑ "Omoyele Sowore (Saharareporters.com), Blogger, Writer, Lecturer, Human rights activist, Nigeria Personality Profiles". www.nigeriagalleria.com. Retrieved 2022-04-16.
- ↑ "How about a Nigeria governed by President Omoyele Sowore? - TheCable". TheCable. 2018-03-05. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
- ↑ "An analog brain cannot lead a digital youth population". Retrieved 2018-05-24.
- ↑ Shenon, Philip (2010-08-12). "Sahara Reporters: Uncovering Nigeria's Corruption". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2018-05-24.
- ↑ Bada, Gbenga. "SaharaReporters publisher to contest against Buhari in 2019". Retrieved 2018-05-25.