Omoyele sowore biography of albert

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This upbringing played a significant role in shaping his resilience and deep awareness of Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.

His academic journey began at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), where he studied Geography and Planning between 1989 and 1995. He currently resides with his family in Haworth, New Jersey, maintaining his U.S.

base while continuing to focus on Nigerian affairs.

He is a U.S. permanent resident and his wife and children are U.S. citizens, a status that has provided some protection and attracted international attention to his detention and persecution in Nigeria.

Privacy and Security Concerns

He is married with children, but due to the nature of his profession keeps his family away from the prying eyes of the public.

He had to be flown to America for proper medical treatment in 1999 and survived.

  • During the 2014 election, Sowore was accused of collecting bribes from President Buhari to ridicule former President Goodluck Jonathan.
  • His media company Sahara Reporter has been accused of extorting Government officials for his personal greed.
  • Sowore has had beef with almost all the politicians in Nigeria, resulting in his life being threatened or in other cases facing legal charges.
  • He has a long list of political enemies including, Senator Dino Melaye, Bukola Saraki, and Ted Ikuru just to mention a few.

    • Lastly, he was arrested by the DSS on the 3rd of August, 2019.

    He has also emerged as the presidential candidate for African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 presidential election.

    ELECTION RESULT

    In the Presidential elections of 2019, Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged the winner with 15,191,847 votes while Sowore came fifth with 33,953 votes.

    CONTROVERSY

    • During his time in Unilag as the SUG President, there were claims that he was a cultist which attracted enemies from rival cult members.

      His remarkable journey from a young student activist in Nigeria to becoming one of the country’s most recognized voices for democracy and human rights represents a powerful narrative of courage, conviction, and unwavering commitment to justice.

      Sowore started Sahara Reporters in New York City in 2006 to fight against corrupt and wrong government practices.

      Sowore served as the President of the University of Lagos Student Union Government (1992–1994), where he played a crucial role in fighting against cultism and government oppression on campus.

      Determined to expand his knowledge, he later obtained a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbia University in the United States.

      Omoyele Sowore Biography: Key Facts and Summary

      • Full Name: Omoyele Sowore
      • Date of Birth: February 16, 1971
      • Place of Birth: Ese-Odo, Ondo State, Nigeria
      • Nationality: Nigerian
      • Education:
        • Studied Geography and Planning at the University of Lagos (1989–1995)
        • Obtained a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbia University, USA
      • Early Life:
        • Grew up in a polygamous family with 16 siblings
        • Started fishing at age 12 to support his family
      • Activism and Advocacy:
        • Led protests during June 12, 1993, pro-democracy movement
        • Served as President of the University of Lagos Student Union (1992–1994)
        • Campaigned against corruption, human rights abuses, and military rule
      • Sahara Reporters:
        • Founded Sahara Reporters in 2006 in New York City, USA
        • The platform focuses on investigative journalism, exposing corruption and bad governance in Nigeria
      • Political Career:
        • Founded the African Action Congress (AAC) in 2018
        • Ran for President of Nigeria in 2019 and 2023
        • Advocates for anti-corruption, youth empowerment, and economic reforms
      • Arrests and Legal Issues:
        • Arrested on August 3, 2019, by DSS over #RevolutionNow protests
        • Detained for several months on charges of treason
        • Arrested again in January 2021 during another protest in Abuja
        • Injured by a police officer during a protest on May 31, 2021
      • Personal Life:
        • Married to Opeyemi Sowore
        • Has children and resides in Haworth, New Jersey, USA
        • Lost his younger brother in 2021 to a shooting in Edo State, Nigeria
      • Legacy and Impact:
        • A leading figure in Nigerian pro-democracy activism
        • Continues to push for government accountability and social justice
        • Through Sahara Reporters, he has empowered millions with uncensored news
        • One of Nigeria’s most recognized opposition voices and political activists

      Activism and Political Awareness

      While at UNILAG, Sowore became deeply involved in activism, leading student movements that challenged corruption, human rights violations, and bad governance.

      Included among the conditions of the IMF loan, was a reduction in the number of universities in Nigeria from 28 to 5. Sahara Reporters is supported through financial grants by the Ford Foundation and Omidyar Foundation. Sowore was arrested in the process and tortured. Despite being far from home, his wife has been a strong advocate for his freedom during his legal struggles.

      In September 2021, Sowore faced personal tragedy when his younger brother was shot and killed in Edo State, Nigeria.

      On the 6th of October, 2018, Sowore emerged as the presidential candidate for the party but later went on to lose the election. This groundbreaking platform revolutionized investigative journalism in Nigeria, providing a space for citizen journalism and fearless reporting on corruption and abuse of power. Sowore led 5,100 students in protest against the Nigerian government in 1992.

      He started Sahara Reporters in 2006, in a small room in Manhattan, he began the news website so he could run a platform where he can fight against corrupt government practices in Nigeria. As part of its policy, Sahara does not accept adverts and financial support from the Nigerian Government.

      Impact Achievement

      Since 2006, Sahara Reporters has published over 5,000 reports and gained international recognition, including being the first to identify the “Underwear Bomber” in December 2009.

      3.

      The protest resulted in police opening fire and killing seven protesters. The military rule in Nigeria contributed largely to his passion and desire for media and media activities.

      Omoyele Sowore studied at the University of Lagos, UNILAG from 1989 – 1995 where he obtained a degree in Geography and planning. The Online Media Platform does not accept adverts and financial support from the Federal Government of Nigeria.

      Sahara Reporters promotes African culture and values, especially in Nigeria, and as earlier mentioned, it is very critical of corrupt government officials and their enablers in Nigeria.

      POLITICS AND PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

      Sowore is also a Nigerian politician among many other things.

      omoyele sowore biography of albert

      However, there was a wind of change the next day in court when DSS operatives invaded the premises to re-arrest him, in a dramatic scene that shocked observers and violated court orders.

      He was finally released on 24 December 2019, after months of detention that drew international attention and condemnation. However, DSS operatives still evaded the premises to re-arrest him.

      The brutality he witnessed and personally experienced reinforced his commitment to fighting against authoritarian governance and protecting citizens’ rights to peaceful protest.

      June 12, 1993 Democracy Struggle

      Omoyele was also involved in the demand for a democratic government taking over military rule in Nigeria on 12 June 1993.

      He was detained for several months before being released on bail, demonstrating the government’s intolerance for peaceful protest and dissent.

      On 3 August 2019, Omoyele Sowore was arrested by the Nigerian State Security Service (SSS), for alleged treason after calling for a protest tagged RevolutionNow. This advanced education provided him with theoretical frameworks for understanding governance, public policy, and administration that would later inform his activism and political campaigns.

      Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, New York, United States, has condemned the continued detention of its alumnus, Omoyele Sowore, demonstrating the international recognition and respect he has earned from academic institutions.

      Teaching Career

      He teaches at the School of Visual Arts in New York and also the New York College of Technology where all the subjects relating to Africa, especially pre-colonial and post-colonial studies are being taught by him.

      He was locked up in a dark room without the sunlight and denied access to telephone and Television.