Connect with us

News

Fifty Editors for NGE- EU Workshop on Combating Fake News

Those to make presentations at the programme are Mr. Azu Isiekwene, Executive Vice Chairman/Editor-in-Chief, LEADERSHIP Newspapers and Dr. David Ajikobi, Executive Director, Africa Check.

Published

on

461 Views

• NGE President, Mr. Eze Anaba

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and the European Union (EU) are collaborating through a one-day training programme for editors and media executives to stem the negative impact of fake news, disinformation and misinformation in the Nigeria media landscape.

In a statement signed by the NGE President, Mr. Eze Anaba and the General- Secretary, Mr Onuoha Ukeh, the Guild said that the training programme, taking place in Lagos (July 25, 2025), with institutional support by the EU, is informed by the growing concern that fake news has a huge capacity to damage the credibility of journalists and the media, if not checked.‘

’The EU and the NGE will organize a one-training programme for editors and media executives across different media platforms.

The objective of the programme is to equip editors with the necessary skills and knowledge required to identify and debunk misinformation, fake news, disinformation, promoting accurate/trustworthy reporting, and imbibing the discipline of verification in news reporting – in the Nigerian media industry’, the NGE stated.

Giving a background and justification to the programme, the professional body of editors and media executives in Nigeria said that the spread of misinformation, fake news and disinformation has become a major concern in Nigeria, with fake news and propaganda threatening to undermine the credibility of the mass media and the stability of the country.

It added: ‘’It is a common knowledge that editors/media executives play a critical role – in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the information published in their respective media organizations.‘’

However, recent experiences have proved that editors need the necessary technical skills and training to effectively identify and debunk misinformation.’’

The Guild explained further that the proliferation of social media and other digital platforms has made it easier for misinformation and fake news to spread quickly, often with devastating consequences.

According to the Guild, ‘’the Nigerian media industry requires accurate and trustworthy reporting to promote informed decision-making, stability and holding government at all levels to account.

Editors play a critical role in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the information published in their respective media outfits.’’

On the expected outcomes of the training programme, the NGE said it aims to improve fact-checking skills and knowledge to effectively identify and debunk misinformation; enhance accuracy and reliability of reporting in the Nigerian media landscape.

Targeting 50 editors from various media houses, including print, online, and broadcast media, the statement added that the programme is expected to promote informed decision-making among the Nigerian public through access to accurate and trustworthy information.

Those to make presentations at the programme are Mr. Azu Isiekwene, Executive Vice Chairman/Editor-in-Chief, LEADERSHIP Newspapers and Dr. David Ajikobi, Executive Director, Africa Check.

They will treat such topics as “Principles of Fact-Checking: Understanding the Role of Editors in Fact-checking And the Principles of Accuracy, Fairness, and Transparency;” Identifying Misinformation and Disinformation: Analyzing Examples of Misinformation, Desinformation and Fake News” and “Fact-Checking Tools and Resources: Overview of Fact-checking Tools; Analyzing Complex Fact-checking Scenarios.

“The statement said that the EU Ambassador to Nigeria/ECOWAS, His Excellency, Gautier Mignot, will declare the training program open after a brief remarks.

For: Nigerian Guild of EditorsEze AnabaPresident, NGE Onuoha UkehGeneral Secretary, NGE

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

ICPC Denies El-Rufai Doctor Access Over Eye Condition

Published

on

3 Views

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has again denied former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai access to medical care despite his complaints of swollen, reddish, and itchy eyes.

According to a press statement issued on Friday by his media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai’s family drew the attention of ICPC operatives to his deteriorating eye condition and requested a hospital visit. Two officials reportedly inspected his eyes, yet no medical attention or doctor was provided.

The statement alleged that one Henry, believed to be seconded to the ICPC, falsely claimed to a family member that El-Rufai did not wish to see a doctor. This claim was strongly challenged by the family.

El-Rufai was taken to an eye clinic on Thursday, 4 June 2026, but his condition worsened overnight, causing significant discomfort. His wives, who visited him on Friday, expressed alarm at his state.

The statement noted that El-Rufai’s lawyers had already secured a court order for him to have access to his personal doctors, but the ICPC has continued to deny him proper medical treatment.

“ No agency of the government is allowed to be indifferent to the medical condition of a person in their custody,” the statement stressed, urging the ICPC to respect human rights and obey court orders.

Continue Reading

News

REPS MINORITY LEADER: AGBESE DENIES ENDORSING UGOCHINYERE

Honourable Philip Agbese alleges that his signature was forged on a document purportedly backing Ugochinyere’s nomination.

Published

on

By

24 Views

The House of Representatives has been thrown into a rowdy session at Thursday’s plenary following fresh controversy over plans to name Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere as Minority Leader

Honourable Philip Agbese alleges that his signature was forged on a document purportedly backing Ugochinyere’s nomination.

The disruption occurred as lawmakers debated the opposition’s vacant Minority Leader position, with Agbese rejecting claims that he endorsed the nomination document reportedly signed by 61 opposition members.

The Benue lawmaker alleged that his signature was included without his consent and demanded an investigation into the matter.

The development comes amid ongoing efforts by opposition lawmakers to secure formal recognition of a new minority leadership structure following the vacancy created by the exit of former Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda.

The dispute could delay the formal announcement of the new minority leader by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen.

Continue Reading

News

Sunday Igboho declares himself Invincible, ” Nobody Can Kidnap Me,” Seeks Oyo Govt’s backing to confront bandits

If they are serious about rescuing the victims, they should tell my boys and me to chase them out of the forests in our regions and see if those people will remain there even with their bombs and sophisticated weapons.

Published

on

By

27 Views

Sunday Igboho

Yoruba activist, Sunday Adeyemo, widely known as Sunday Igboho, boasted that “No one can take me or my family captive, as they reside abroad.”

Igboho made the declaration when the newly elected officials of the National Association of Nigerian Students, led by Akinteye Bàbàtunde, visited him at his Ibadan residence.

In a video posted by Wisdom TV, Igboho revealed his willingness to confront the bandits directly but claimed he was met with resistance from the state government.

He insisted that he never sought any financial compensation from the Seyi Makinde administration for the rescue of the 47 kidnapped individuals.

“If I am permitted to burst into the hideouts, they will flee. They are neither gnomes nor mannequins; they are humans, so that they could be dislodged. I know the politicians behind them, and if they do not stop perpetrating their evil acts, I will mention them all. I know them. The politicians behind them are the ones giving them ammunition and money,” said Igboho.

Igboho noted: ” They (Oyo government) informed me that the kidnappers said if I try to force myself to come rescue the children, they will kill them all.

If they are serious about rescuing the victims, they should tell my boys and me to chase them out of the forests in our regions and see if those people will remain there even with their bombs and sophisticated weapons,” he said.

Igboho compared the current political climate to past events, stating, “The same thing they did to Jonathan is what they are doing to Tinubu. They want to make the country ungovernable for him. They even have fake news propaganda to scare the masses and divert supporters away from the President. Suppose the recent abduction is not a game. In Oyo, they made away with children. I volunteered to go, but the state government said ‘No.’”

He went on to recount a warning he received, stating that the kidnappers threatened to kill the children should he attempt a rescue. “If they are serious about saving the victims, let them instruct my team and me to chase the bandits out of our forests and see if they can withstand the onslaught, even with their sophisticated weapons,” he asserted.

Government approval for his security initiative, “Iru Ekun,” the Oyo State Government has prohibited him from intervening, claiming any rescue attempt could endanger the kidnapped children.

“After forming ‘Iru Ekun,’ the Federal Government backed me, but the state warned that no security forces could assist me. Are we supposed to wait while they continue to terrorize? I care deeply for these abductees; no one can take me or my family captive, as they reside abroad,” he stated.

Questioning the motivations behind the political situation, Igboho remarked, “No matter how flawed Buhari’s regime may have been, he finished his term. Why are they trying to sabotage a Yoruba man—Tinubu—from completing his? It was Tinubu who liberated me when I was in exile. Why should I oppose him, or why are they trying to undermine his administration?”

In light of these challenges, Igboho is pushing to officially launch his “Iru Ekun Security Network” to combat the criminal activity plaguing the South-West’s forests, while also pledging to adhere to the new regulations set forth by Governor Seyi Makinde to manage private security firms in Oyo State.

This development led Igboho to seek approval to launch his security outfit, “Iru Ekun Security Network,” as part of efforts to dislodge criminal elements from the South-West forests.

He also expressed his readiness to comply with the Executive Order recently issued by the Oyo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, to regulate the activities of private security firms in the state.

Continue Reading

Trending