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Edo Poll: Journalists Trained To Curb Misinformation, Fake News

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By Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin 

No fewer than 40 journalists have been trained by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) and DUBAWA on modern technologies and skills on fact-checking.

The two-day training which was held in Benin City was in partnership with Google News Initiative, and was aimed at equipping journalists with necessary skills in checkmating misinformation and fake news even as the Edo State governorship election draws nearer.

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INFO DAILY reports that the journalists most of whom are Benin-based were introduced to modern technologies in fact-checking such as Google Reverse Image Search; Forensically; Deepware; Google Pinpoint; Google Advanced Search; Google Maps,/Earth; Search4faces, etc.

Speaking on the sub-topic: ‘Elections, Fact-checking and Observer Networks: Leverage and Lessons for Upcoming Election’ as it relates to Edo election, Mboho Eno of CJID, emphasised the need for collaboration between journalists, media organisations and civil society organisations in order to achieved the desired results in the election.

READ ALSO: Presidency Cautions Speculators As Naira Maintains Steady Appreciation

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He urged journalists to hone their fact-checking skills with relevant google tools in order to prevent the spread of misinformation during the election.

Group photograph of journalists and the facilitators after the two-day training.

Eno, while urging journalists to give reports of the right information during the election, said if journalists do not give life to misinformation, it won’t spread.

…critical role of elections reporting, fact-checking and observer networks is to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.

“That is why we need to have journalists who are always looking out for potential threats to peace and stability during the election.

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“Our aim is to ensure that during the election process in Edo State, we have some forms of decorum,” he added.

READ ALSO: Delta Killings: Military Sets To Build Barracks On Okuama As Demolition Of Houses Continues

Also teaching on the sub-topic: ‘Using the RTI in Fact-checking,’ Akintunde Babatunde, Programme Director, CJID, urged journalists to utilise the Freedom of Information Act to hold public office holders accountable.

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Teaching on the sub-topic: ‘Digital Verification Skills and Tools’ Silas Jonathan, while opening journalists’ eyes to modern technologies used to verify information before going to the press, said this will differentiate them from untainted journalists.

DUBAWA/CJID fact-checker, Silas Jonathan teaching journalists on moderns to use in fact-checking.

Lateef Sanni, teaching on the sub-topic: Digital Safety and Security for Journalists, urged journalists to always be at alert as they use the cyberspace for their job, just as he advised them to protect their gadgets from hackers.

Lateef Sanni teaching

Earlier, Temilade Onilede, while giving an overview of the programme, said CJID was concerned about how fake news is spreading faster, and how best to use journalists to checkmate spread of such fake news even as the Edo State governorship election draws nearer.

Temilade Onilede

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JUST IN: Court Declares Utomi’s ‘Shadow Govt’ Unconstitutional

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A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Pat Utomi, a professor of political economy, and his associates to halt their plan to establish a shadow government.

In a judgment delivered on Monday in a case filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), the judge, Justice James Omotosho, declared that the idea of a shadow government or cabinet is unconstitutional and incompatible with the nation’s presidential system of government.

The judge held that the idea was inconsistent with the country’s presidential system and could mislead citizens.

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READ ALSO:DSS Sues Pat Utomi Over Shadow Government

He ruled that Nigeria’s constitution does not recognise any parallel or alternative government outside the one it provides for.

Section 14(2)(c) makes no allowance for a shadow government. The defendant cannot use foreign constitutional models to confuse the people. Such a shadow government is hereby declared void,” the judge ruled.

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JUST IN: ASUU Issues Ultimatum To FG Over Unresolved Issues

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The Academic Staff Union of Universities has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The union made the decision following a National Executive Council meeting held on Sunday at the University of Abuja.

The national president of ASUU, Prof. Chris Piwuna made this known in a copy of strike action he personally signed and made available to our correspondent in Abuja.

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At the National Executive Council meeting held at the University of Abuja on the 28th of September, 2025, the Union decried the neglect of the University system and the government’s consistent refusal to heed to its demands.

READ ALSO:ASUU Threatens To Due JAMB Over UTME Mass Failure

“Accordingly, ASUU has given the Federal Government of Nigeria an Ultimatum of fourteen (14) days within which to address these issues. If at the end of the fourteen-day ultimatum, the Federal Government fails to address these issues, the Union may have no option but to, first, embark on a two-week warning strike and thereafter, a total and indefinite strike.”

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Recall that the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education set up a committee headed by the permanent secretary of the ministry, Abel Enitan to look into a proposal for ASUU in a bid to ensure stability across universities.

At the time of filing this report, the committee has yet to make any decision known to the public.

ASUU’s core demands remain largely unchanged: renegotiation of the 2009 agreement, adequate revitalisation funds for univer­sities, settlement of outstanding salary arrears, and sustainable funding mechanisms.

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JUST IN: NNPC, NUPRC, NMDPRA Shut As PENGASSAN Begins Strike

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The nationwide strike declared by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria on Monday paralysed operations at key oil and gas regulatory institutions, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

The industrial action, which followed the weekend directive by the union’s National Executive Council, saw members across the country withdrawing their services, effectively shutting down critical agencies that drive Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

It was observed that at the NUPRC headquarters in Abuja, the main gate was firmly locked, leaving several employees stranded outside the premises. Security operatives on duty confirmed that no staff were allowed entry, in line with the strike directive issued by the union.

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Similarly, activities at the NMDPRA headquarters in the busy Central Business District were completely grounded as workers fully complied with the industrial action.

READ ALSO:Dangote Hits Out At PENGASSAN, Says Union ‘Serial Saboteurs, Serving Oligarchs’

Confirming the situation, the PENGASSAN Chairman in NMDPRA, Tony Iziogba, told The PUNCH that the union had achieved “100 per cent compliance,” effectively restricting access to staff and visitors.

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He added that his colleagues had also enforced 100 per cent compliance at the NNPCL and other relevant agencies.

PENGASSAN said the strike became inevitable after the alleged wrongful dismissal of about 800 workers at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.

The union’s directive to halt crude oil and gas supplies to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has sent shockwaves through the energy sector, with oil marketers warning of severe disruptions in fuel distribution. This move is expected to choke the domestic market, driving up demand and prices.

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READ ALSO:JUST IN: PENGASSAN Strike May Trigger Nationwide Blackout, Thermal Plants Shut Down

On Sunday, PENGASSAN announced a nationwide strike, instructing all its members in various offices, companies, institutions, and agencies to cease all services starting at 12:01 am on Monday, September 29, 2025.

The union also directed members stationed in various field locations to down tools from 6:00 am on Sunday, September 28, and commence a round-the-clock prayer vigil.

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In a strongly worded resolution signed by PENGASSAN General Secretary, Lumumba Okugbawa, the union accused the refinery of violating Nigerian labour laws and International Labour Organisation conventions by sacking workers for joining the union. It alleged the dismissed workers had been replaced by foreigners.

READ ALSO:PENGASSAN Reacts As Dangote Refinery Misses Production Deadline

All processes involving gas and crude supply to Dangote Refinery should be halted immediately,” the resolution declared. “All IOC (International Oil Companies) branches must ramp down gas production and supply to Dangote Refinery and petrochemicals.”

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The development has heightened fears of fuel scarcity and blackouts, as NNPC remains the sole importer of petrol while the midstream and downstream authority regulates supply and distribution. Similarly, NUPRC is responsible for monitoring crude production and enforcing gas supply obligations to power plants.

All eyes are now on Monday’s emergency meeting convened by the Minister of Labour. Whether dialogue can restore calm or whether Nigeria plunges deeper into crisis may depend on the willingness of both sides to compromise.

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