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Omoyele Sowore is a Nigerian politician, human rights activist, and the founder of Sahara Reporters, an online news platform that focuses on exposing corruption and human rights abuses in Nigeria. He was born on February 16, 1971, in Ondo State, Nigeria.
Early Life and Education
Sowore grew up in a polygamous family and was raised by his mother. He attended the University of Lagos, where he studied Geography and Planning. While in school, he was actively involved in student activism and was a member of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).
Career
Sowore started his career as a journalist and worked for various media organizations in Nigeria, including The Guardian, ThisDay, and PM News. In 2006, he founded Sahara Reporters, an online news platform that has gained a reputation for its fearless reporting and investigative journalism.
In 2018, Sowore announced his candidacy for the Nigerian presidency under the platform of the African Action Congress (AAC). His campaign focused on issues such as corruption, insecurity, and youth unemployment. Although he did not win the election, his campaign was widely regarded as a wake-up call to the Nigerian political establishment.
Political Records
Sowore has been a vocal critic of the Nigerian government and has been arrested several times for his activism. In 2019, he was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) for planning a nationwide protest tagged #RevolutionNow. He was detained for over 100 days before being released on bail.
In 2021, Sowore was again arrested by the DSS for leading a protest against the hike in fuel prices and electricity tariffs. He was released after spending several days in detention.
Personal Life
Sowore is married and has children. He is known to be a private person and keeps his personal life away from the public eye.
Net Worth
Sowore’s net worth is estimated to be around $10 million. In Nigerian Naira, his net worth is approximately ₦4 billion. In Canadian dollars, his net worth is around CAD 12.5 million, while in Ghanaian cedi, it is around GHS 57 million. In Kenyan shillings, his net worth is approximately KES 1.1 billion, while in South African rand, it is around ZAR 150 million. In Ugandan shillings, his net worth is around UGX 36 billion, while in Indian rupees, it is around INR 730 million.
Awards and Nominations
Sowore has received several awards and nominations for his activism and journalism. In 2010, he was awarded the Human Rights Defender Award by the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. In 2015, he was nominated for the Index on Censorship Freedom of Expression Award.
Social Media
You can connect with Omoyele Sowore on his social media accounts: