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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.

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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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Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

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The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

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“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

READ ALSO:How Wike Rescued Me From Political Oblivion — Oshiomhole

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

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According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

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READ ALSO: He Can’t Fix His Party Let Alone Nigeria – Oshiomhole Blasts Atiku

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

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He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

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Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

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Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

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READ ALSO: Wale Edun Opens Up After Sack

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

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He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

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Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

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Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.

‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”

‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection

It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.

‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.

‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.

‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

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READ ALSO: Egor LG Chair, Ogbemudia, Vice, Osawe Impeached

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

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Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”

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