Omoyele Sowore

Omoyele Sowore (born 16 February 1971) is a Nigerian human rights activist, and founder of online media, Sahara Reporters.

 Background 
Sowore was born in Ondo State in South West Nigeria.  He was raised in a polygamous home with sixteen children. 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.

 Education 
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's degree in Public Administration from University of Columbia. 

 Activism 
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.

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.

  Sahara Reporters 
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.

 Presidential campaign 
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
 Related pages 
 List of Nigerians

 References 

Category:1971 births
Category:Living people
Category:Nigerian activists
Category:People from Ondo State