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Combating Fake News: WABMA To The Rescue

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Fact Check Training At Imo State

Since the advent of the new media, the spread of fake news has been on the rise. This is so because at the touch of a button, a citizen operating from the cool comfort of his office or home and who might not have had any training, broadcasts stories and images which he sometimes knows to be doctored or outrightly false to unsuspecting members of the public.

To compound the situation, he urges the reading public to like, follow and share his offerings. And the unsuspecting readers do as he had commanded them. The material goes viral and the poster smiles to the bank as operators of social media platforms pay him handsomely because of the huge traffic he commands to their sites. But somebody’s image might have been smeared by reason of the post.

How then could the spread of fake news be curbed? But first what is fake news? Wikipedia defines fake news as false or misleading information presented as news. Fake news, Wikipedia goes on, has the aim of damaging the reputation of a person or entity or making money through advertising revenue.

Sometimes, one could spread fake news without knowing. For instance if one tells you an event is scheduled to commence at 12:00noon when it is slated for 10:00am, he might not have given the information with the motive to deceive you not to attend on time. It might have been that he was not properly briefed on the exact time. But then, the false news could exacerbate some damages like lateness to the event.

Fake news has variants. There is misinformation, disinformation and mal-information. Misinformation is the passing on of inaccurate information. It might not be with the motive to cause damages while disinformation is a deliberate attempt to pass on inaccurate information. Mal-information is not only a deliberate attempt to pass on inaccurate information but also to deceive and cause damages.

It is said that there are people who have chosen passing on inaccurate information as their profession. They spend their days churning out injurious materials which they upload in the internet on a daily basis. Sometimes, such people manipulate genuine information or mix opinions with facts and present them as factual information to deceive their audience or followers. They even manipulate images thereby making nonsense of the axiom that photographs do not lie.

On Saturday, January 22, 2022, the West Africa Broadcast and Media Academy (WABMA) mounted a one-day free short course on Fact-Checking and Detecting Misinformation. The training held at the Multipurpose Hall of Maria Assumpta Catholic Church, Owerri, Imo State.

The short course which WABMA organized in collaboration with the United States Consulate General, Lagos was an eye-opener to the more than 50 journalists, bloggers and social media influencers that participated in it.

The Executive Director, WABMA, Jika Attoh who drilled the participants throughout the more than two hours the course lasted opened their eyes on why they should no longer swallow line, hook and sinker all they read online.

Besides differentiating between facts and opinions, he provided the participants with tools on how to gauge the authenticity of materials they read online.

According to Attoh, facts are things that are known to exist, could be verified, proven and measured. He said a fact is a statement that could be verified or proven or extrapolated while opinion is an expression of judgment or belief about something. Fact, he continued, relies on observation or research while opinion is based on assumption.

The issue of whether the existence of God is a fact nearly caused chaos in the hall but Attoh warned against the fierce debate that built up leading to the suspension of the debate in order to keep the eyes of the participants on the ball. Attoh’s polite way of getting the attention of participants helped in reducing distraction during the training.

Attoh reeled out steps to fact-checking. According to him, the first step is to read beyond the headlines. Thereafter, check the news outlet that published the material, the author, date of publication, links and sources used.

Attoh also advised that while trying to spot fake news, one must check one’s biases, ask oneself whether the material is a joke and seek out experts in the field involved.

He also reeled out websites that people should take materials published in them with a pinch of salt. According to him, the websites do not begin with https:// in their addresses.

The participants confessed being greatly enriched by the knowledge imparted in them during the short course. According to Salvator Amadi, a journalist, the training was timely considering the nearness of general polls in the country which could be marred by fake news. Amadi believes fake news is capable of instigating military intervention in the polity.

Another journalist, Collins Chibueze Ughalaa also described the training as timely. According to Ughalaa, the spread of falsehood is capable of torpedoing the country’s democracy.

He said; “In the face of myriad of unconfirmed, unsubstantiated reports in the media, the training on fact-checking couldn’t have come at a better time. To help our democracy and deepen good governance, the sanity of media space is important.

“We cannot build strong democracy or provide good governance on faulty foundations of falsehood. The short course on fact-checking therefore helps to weed out unhealthy information in the media and leave the healthy ones for our consumption. This helps in deepening democracy and good governance”.

Also speaking, Saviola Godwyn, a broadcaster said the course enriched his knowledge in fact-checking which he is putting into effective use.

Godwyn said the course also exposed him to the opportunities available in the media and how to take advantage of the opportunities.

WABMA is mounting the training in all states of Southern Nigeria. All in all, the course was truly enriching and would help the participants to improve on their craft. This way, the spread of fake news will ebb for the good of the society.

Source: Niger Delta Connect

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Did Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom Approve May 30 as Biafra Remembrance Day?

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A Facebook post is making the rounds. It claims that the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, has approved May 30 as Biafra Remembrance Day.

It goes further.

It claims the governor has declared himself Igbo. And even renamed the state… “Akwa Igbo.”

The post is gaining traction. Thousands of reactions. Shares. Heated comments.

But did this really happen?

The claim is spreading mostly on Facebook, accompanied by an image of Governor Umo Eno and symbols associated with the defunct Republic of Biafra.

The message suggests three things:

  • That Akwa Ibom State has officially recognised Biafra Remembrance Day
  • That the governor has publicly identified as Igbo
  • That the state is now being referred to as “Akwa Igbo”

These are serious claims.

They touch on identity, politics, and history.

We investigated.

First, we checked for any official approval.

There is:

  • No government announcement
  • No policy directive
  • No executive order

There is no record that Akwa Ibom State has declared May 30 as a state observance.

For a decision of this magnitude, official communication would be unavoidable.

It does not exist.

[Verification Step 2: Media Cross-Check]

Next, we reviewed reports from credible news organisations.

No reputable Nigerian media outlet has reported this claim.

That absence is important.

A development involving Biafra remembrance and a state government would attract national coverage.

Silence from credible media is a strong indicator.

[Verification Step 3: Origin of the Claim]

We traced the claim online.

Keyword searches show that this narrative first appeared in 2025.

It has been recycled multiple times, using similar wording and visuals.

This is not a fresh development.

It is reused content.

A common tactic in misinformation.

[Verification Step 4: Identity Claim]

The post also claims that Governor Umo Eno declared himself Igbo.

We checked his background.

Umo Eno is from Nsit Ubium Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State.

He belongs to the Ibibio ethnic group.

There is no record of him identifying as Igbo.

No speech.
No statement.
No verified source.

[Verification Step 5: “Akwa Igbo” Claim]

Finally, we examined the claim that the state has been redefined as “Akwa Igbo.”

Akwa Ibom State remains its official name.

There is:

  • No legal recognition
  • No political declaration
  • No constitutional change

The term “Akwa Igbo” has no official status.

[Evidence Reveal]

So let’s review:

  • No official approval of May 30 as a state observance
  • No credible media reporting
  • A recycled misinformation pattern
  • No evidence of ethnic identity change
  • No recognition of “Akwa Igbo”

The claim collapses under scrutiny.

[Verdict] FALSE.

There is no evidence that Umo Eno approved May 30 as Biafra Remembrance Day or declared himself Igbo.

This is a recycled social media claim, presented without evidence and amplified through repetition.

Available records confirm that the governor remains Ibibio, and Akwa Ibom State has made no such policy or identity shift.

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Did President Bola Tinubu Order Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu To Resign?

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A report is spreading fast across social media.

It claims that Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has ordered the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to resign.

The reason? A serious health condition.

The claim has triggered concern, speculation, and heated discussions online.

But is this true? Or is this another case of misinformation dressed as breaking news?

[Context Setup]

The report gained traction on social media platforms and was amplified by blogs and online outlets, including Dockays World and Sahara Reporters.

According to the claim, Governor Sanwo-Olu is critically ill, and the President has directed him to step down.

Given the political weight of both figures, this is not a minor claim.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu has served as Lagos State Governor since 2019 and was re-elected in 2023.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a former Lagos Governor himself, assumed office as President in 2023.

So, a directive like this would be major national news.

We investigated.

[Verification Step 1: Health Claim]

First, we examined the claim that the governor is seriously ill.

There are no credible reports from verified medical, government, or reputable media sources indicating that Governor Sanwo-Olu is suffering from any critical illness.

But we went further.

[Verification Step 2: Public Activity Check]

We reviewed the governor’s recent public engagements.

Here is what we found:

  • On April 24, he swore in Permanent Secretaries and inaugurated the Lagos State Health Service Commission
  • He attended a Governance Advisory Council meeting at Lagos House
  • On April 26, he witnessed the signing of power purchase agreements
  • On April 28, he was inducted into the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers

These are not the activities of someone incapacitated by serious illness.

They indicate active governance.

[Verification Step 3: Official Communication]

Next, we checked for official confirmation.

There is:

  • No statement from the Presidency
  • No communication from the Lagos State Government
  • No directive from any federal authority

For a claim of this magnitude, silence from official channels is a major red flag.

[Verification Step 4: Direct Response]

We then checked for direct responses.

The Lagos State Government has publicly addressed the claim.

The governor’s media aide, Gboyega Akosile, described the report as false and misleading.

This is a clear denial from an official source.

[Verification Step 5: Media Cross-Check]

Finally, we reviewed coverage by major Nigerian media organisations.

Reputable outlets did not report this claim.

In journalism, absence of coverage by credible media—especially on a major political development—is significant.

It suggests the story lacks verification.

[Evidence Reveal]

So far:

  • No credible evidence of illness
  • Active public engagements by the governor
  • No official directive from the President
  • Direct denial from the Lagos State Government
  • No confirmation from credible media

The pieces do not support the claim.

[Verdict]

FALSE

There is no evidence that Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered Babajide Sanwo-Olu to resign. The report is based on unverified claims and has been amplified without credible backing.

Available evidence shows that the governor is actively performing his duties, and the Lagos State Government has already dismissed the claim as false.

Did Tinubu Order Sanwo-Olu To Resign? | Fact-Check & Debunk Explained

Always fact-check before you share. Don’t engage. Don’t amplify.

Do you have a story? Tag us on all our socials @wabmaonline, or on Instagram @wabmaacademy. You can also share via WhatsApp on 0902 547 8072, and we will fact-check for you.

Before you share any claim — especially about politics — take a moment to verify. Visit WABMA Debunker weekly for verified stories that separate fact from fiction.

Join WABMA in debunking fake stories. Share this with your contacts.

My name is [Presenter’s Name]. Thank you for listening.

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Is Peter Obi Planning to Leave ADC for NDC?

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A Facebook post claims that Peter Obi is planning to leave the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to join the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).

Background

Peter Obi is a prominent Nigerian politician who served as Governor of Anambra State (2006–2014), was the vice-presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019, and the presidential candidate of the Labour Party Nigeria in 2023.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is a registered political party in Nigeria, while the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) is a newly registered party by INEC.

To verify the claim:

We checked Peter Obi’s official social media accounts, no announcement of defection.

We also reviewed official communication from the African Democratic Congress,  no statement confirming any planned exit

We searched credible news platforms, no reports supporting the claim

The source, APGA Interactive Forum is known for misleading/unverified political posts.

What This Means

There is no verifiable evidence supporting the claim.

The information appears to be speculative or fabricated

The source lacks credibility

Verdict

False

There is no credible evidence that Peter Obi plans to leave the African Democratic Congress to join the Nigerian Democratic Congress.

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