Author: Raphael Obasiohia
Claim: An X user posted a video claiming it shows a recent attack by ‘IPOB terrorists’ in Nimbo Community, Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of Enugu State. Verdict: False. The video is not recent and does not depict an attack in Enugu State by IPOB terrorists. Instead, it shows an attack on a community in Benue State in March 2024. Full Text Following the June 27, 2021, arrest and detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the South-East region of Nigeria has seen increased security concerns. These range from the declaration of a…
Claim: An X user posted a video claiming that it shows Igbos recently attacking the Nigerian embassy in Dakar, Senegal. Verdict: Misleading! The video is not recent and does not exclusively depict Igbos attacking the Nigerian Embassy in Dakar, Senegal. It is an 11-year-old video of a March 2013 protest unrelated to current events. Full Text Recently, there has been an increase in ethnic tensions on social media, particularly between members of the Igbo ethnic group and their Yoruba counterparts in Nigeria. This divide has been fueled by ethnic-motivated posts/opinions on platforms like X, as seen here, here, and here. …
Claim: An X user claims that all senior executives appointed by President Tinubu are from the Southwest. Verdict: The claim that all senior executives appointed by President Tinubu are from the Southwest is FALSE. Many of these appointments come from various regions across Nigeria, including the North, Southeast, and South-South. Full Text Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made several appointments that have sparked praise and criticism, particularly regarding regional equity and fairness concerns. The federal character principle, as outlined in Nigeria’s constitution, mandates that the composition and conduct of the government should…
Claim: A Facebook page shared a video showing a woman being assisted to dance, claiming it depicts famous Canadian singer Celine Dion being helped by her children at her son’s wedding. Verdict: The viral video does not show Celine Dion at her son’s wedding. It features Kathy Poirier, who had ALS. None of Celine’s three sons are married, and her recent performances, including at the 2024 Olympics, disprove claims of health deterioration. Full Text Over time, there have been growing concerns about the health condition of the famous Canadian singer Celine Dion, particularly since December 8, 2022, when she shared on her official Instagram…
Claim: A user on X shared a video claiming that the #EndBadGovernance protest had started in Kano State days ahead of the scheduled date. Verdict: The claim is misleading. The video depicts protests related to the Emirship tussle in Kano State and is not connected to the planned #EndBadGovernance protest on August 1. Full Text In recent weeks, both social media and mainstream media in Nigeria have been abuzz with reports about a nationwide protest planned from August 1 to 10. The protest, themed “10 Days of Rage” and “End Bad Governance in Nigeria,” aims to address issues like the rising cost of living…
Claim: An X user posted a video claiming that an armed robbery attack took place on July 27, 2024, in Surulere, Lagos State. He further insinuated that the recency of the event could make propagandists link the video to the planned nationwide protest. Verdict: The claim is misleading. The video is from the 2020 EndSARS protests and is unrelated to recent events or the planned nationwide protest. Full Text As Nigeria braces for a planned #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest to address rising living costs and economic hardship, major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Kano have been on high alert. Various groups and stakeholders have been…
“Every day, I see people who come to my shop unaware they’re gradually taking their own lives,” Mr. Joseph (not real name) lamented. During a recent field visit following an intensive Media_EIS session on Social and Behavior Change (SBC) and Risk Communication, our team had the privilege of meeting Mr. Joseph, a father of seven graduates and a Patent and Proprietary Medicine Vendor (PPMV). With a sense of urgency in his voice, Mr. Joseph shared the sobering reality of his daily encounters with customers who unknowingly put their health at risk. “I usually ask them for lab results before administering…
The Senate, under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has suspended Senator Abdul Ningi over allegations of N3.7trillion padding of the 2024 Budget. Ningi, representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, received a three-month suspension following a heated session in the red chamber. The motion for Ningi’s suspension was initially raised by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, a member of the Appropriation Committee, who sought a 12-month suspension over allegations of criminal misinformation and breach of peace in the National Assembly and the country at large. However, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, representing Cross River South Senatorial District, proposed an amendment to reduce the suspension…
Despite the immeasurable impacts and extra miles teachers go to mould the characters and learning of kids up to adulthood, through Kindergarten, Nursery, Primary, Secondary and tertiary institutions, the general public seem to overlook the right place and importance of this noble profession which has been a blessing to generations. This oversight is glaringly evident in the meager compensation they receive, impacting not only their standard of living but also their demeanor, fashion sense, and overall well-being, consequently influencing public perceptions of their profession. In the foregoing, a journalist, who also volunteers as a part-time Creative Arts teacher in a…