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Is there a place named Abeokuta in Jamaica, Gambia and Benin?

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A social media post claims that Abeokuta as the name of a city exists in four different countries.

The claim is PARTLY TRUE.

The social media post said Abeokuta can be found in Nigeria, Jamaica, The Gambia and Benin Republic.

 

The town of Abeokuta, Nigeria, has been directly linked to Abeokuta in Negril, Jamaica for over three hundred years. This occurred when the first slaves taken to the Parish of Westmoreland were brought to this Plantation from Abeokuta, Nigeria. The Park occupies 13 acres of land on a hill that was the original Plantation Yard.

 

The Park is a beautiful unspoiled natural Jamaican attraction officially opened on January 5, 2003, by the Nigerian High Commissioner, Florentina Ukonga.

 

In Benin, an article in The Guardian spoke about the Dassa Zoume community in Benin Republic which is 207km, or 4 hours drive from Abeokuta, Nigeria. Dassa Zoume is  said to be an Egba settlement that existed 200 years before the Egbas’ of Abeokuta settled around Olumo Rock. There is no place named Abeokuta in Benin Republic.

 

Though Dassa Zoume shares striking peculiarities – environmental and spiritual – with Abeokuta; the names are not similar. Like Olumo Rock, Dassa Hill fills the background of Dassa-Zoume, and the great rock in between split down the middle and gently slopes down to the foot of the hill serving as a source of unity, strength, and unfailing protection for the Egba people of Dassa.

 

Searching for Abeokuta in The Gambia, Meta showed that people have made posts from the location Abeokuta, The Gambia on Facebook.

 

Further search led to Mapcarta, an open knowledge website using open data, Creative Commons information, OpenStreetMap and Wikidata to share locations freely.

 

Abeokuta was shown as a locality in Central River Division, Gambia. Abeokuta is situated nearby to the localities Sare Jide and Sare Yoro Egge.

CONCLUSION

Abeokuta is confirmed as a location in Jamaica and The Gambia but does not exist in Benin Republic.

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African News

“Skin Whitening Injections, Naira Note Rumors & COVID-19 XEC in Nigeria – Debunker Ep. 96”

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🔥 WABMA Fake News Debunker – Episode 96 🔥

🚩 Are popular skin-whitening injections in West Africa genuine and safe to use?
🚩 Is Nigeria’s Central Bank planning to scrap old Naira notes soon?
🚩 Has the COVID-19 variant XEC already spread to Nigeria?

In this episode, we dive deep into these viral claims to separate facts from fiction. Don’t fall for fake news—get the truth you need right here!

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Are Popular Skin-whitening Injections in West Africa Genuine and Safe?

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Skin whitening, a trend primarily driven by a desire for lighter skin tones, has gained alarming popularity in many West African countries, with new forms emerging, including skin-whitening injections. These injections are particularly prevalent in countries like Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Niger, and Senegal. Promoted via social media and word of mouth, these injections promise fast, uniform skin lightening. However, concerns over their safety and authenticity are on the rise

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The Practices:

Injections, often touted for their quick effects, are gaining traction, especially among wealthier, younger women in these countries. A study by AFP revealed that skin-whitening injections, often containing glutathione (a powerful antioxidant used in cancer treatment), are now administered by both professionals and individuals themselves, sometimes at home. These injections are marketed to promise rapid, long-lasting results, a claim supported by some, yet dismissed by many experts.

 

The Facts: Despite the rapid spread of these injections, experts warn of severe health risks. Skin-lightening products in West Africa—whether in cream or injectable form—are linked to a host of serious conditions. In Nigeria, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has declared skin lightening a national health emergency due to risks like skin cancer, renal toxicity, diabetes, and hypertension from products containing hydroquinone, corticosteroids, and mercury.

In Ghana and Nigeria, many among the population useskin lightening products, leading to conditions like dermatitis, acne, and skin thinning, with more severe issues such as kidney failure being documented after prolonged use. Similarly, Senegal sees high rates of skin-lightening cream use, resulting in numerous skin conditions due to prolonged exposure to these substances.

 

The Verdict:

Investigations by the French news agency, AFP, uncovered that many of these skin-whitening injections are not what they claim to be. A lab analysis of one popular product in Ivory Coast revealed that it contained no whitening agents at all and experts such as dermatologist Sarah Kourouma have confirmed that many injections contain steroids and other substances, which can cause serious side effects like depigmentation, diabetes, and hypertension. In some cases, improper administration can lead to severe infections due to unsanitary needles, the AFP reports.

Further investigations by authorities like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ghanaian Ministry of Health have confirmed that these glutathione injections, popular in the market, pose significant health risks, including liver and kidney damage, nervous system toxicity, and even the spread of infectious diseases like hepatitis. A lab test in Paris revealed that some batches of these injections contained nothing but vitamins and sugars, further exposing the fraudulent nature of many products marketed as skin-whitening solutions.

 

Conclusion:

The claim that skin-whitening injections in West Africa are safe and genuine is FALSE. These products are often unregulated and poorly supervised thus posing significant health risks, from chronic illnesses to infections. It is crucial that consumers seek medical advice and avoid unproven and dangerous cosmetic procedures.

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African News

Is Peter Obi doing giveaway on facebook?

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A flurry of Facebook posts has recently surfaced, enticing users with promises of a “₦20,000 grant” from Peter Obi, alongside claims of a ₦15,000 giveaway to all Nigerians in celebration of his birthday. However, a closer examination reveals a very different story.

The posts, which appeared on September 14, 2024, proclaimed: “Congrats! Apply for a grant of ₦20,000 by the Peter Obi Foundation. Application Ends Soon.” While the allure of free money spread rapidly, a click on the provided links led users to an unrelated website about “US Visa Sponsorship Opportunities in 2024/2025,” raising immediate suspicions.

Despite reports of Obi donating to various causes, there is no evidence of him establishing a foundation or distributing funds through social media. A thorough search of Obi’s verified X account, where he regularly shares updates about his life and political endeavors, yielded no mention of any such giveaways.

Given his substantial following, it seems improbable that he would initiate a giveaway without broadcasting it.

In July 2024, Obi explicitly distanced himself from these schemes through a statement from his special adviser on media, Valentine Obienyem.

He firmly denied involvement in any fraudulent giveaways, stating that his focus remains on investing in critical areas such as health, education, and poverty alleviation.

In conclusion, the claim that Peter Obi is conducting a giveaway on Facebook is unequivocally false, serving as a cautionary tale against online scams.

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