A portal, https://npower-fmhds-gov-ng.web.app/, recently surfaced on WhatsApp, claiming that Npower has shortlisted applicants for its second stage and that applicants can log in to check their status.
N-Power did not shortlist applicants. The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs has debunked the claim. Also, the website peddled as the link for checking is fake, and users risk having their information in the wrong hands.
Full Text
Recently, a web-link (https://npower-fmhds-gov-ng.web.app/) claimed that N-Power has shortlisted applicants for its second stage of recruitment, and that applicants can log in to check their status.
It has since gone viral on WhatsApp, as N-Power applicants and prospective applicants share the message amongst themselves.
It was also posted on a blog, MediaNgr. As of Saturday it has more than 11,000 views.
But the claim did not only turn out to be false, users could also be vulnerable to cyber attack as they risk losing their information to the site creator.
N-Power
N-Power is a Nigerian government social investment programme that employs young Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 35, and pays them 30,000 naira per month for two years.
In 2016, the Federal Government engaged 200,000 N-Power Volunteers. In 2017, the Federal Government enlisted 300,000 more, according to Npower website.
In June, 2020 N-Power portal was opened for registration to absorb 400,000 youths.
The commencement of the Batch C enrolment “is a sequel to far-reaching consultations and a review of the submissions on the reform and realignment of the programme for greater efficiency,” according to a statement from the ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management which oversees Npower.
Verification
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs has debunked the claim through its twitter handle.
It posted on its verified twitter handle: “ Please disregard, Kindly share and help us in checking these fraudulent messages.”
Red Flags
The website currently run by Npower is ‘NPOWER.FMHDS.GOV.NG.’ On the contrary, the fake website making the claim is ‘NPOWER-FMHDS-GOV-NG.WEB.APP.’ Take note of ‘.GOV.NG’ and ‘.WEB.APP’. Also, the period (.) in the genuine website and the hyphens (-) in the fake website.
Further, the fake site asks users to send complaints or request assistance through npower.fmhds.ng@gmail.com, when in fact, Npower complaints mail is apply@npvn.ng, according to the genuine website.
The website is designed to look typically like the genuine Npower website. It has all the emblems in the right colors and arrangement. However, there are only two dashboards where users are requested to type their email and phone number.
Below the dashboard by the right, the site requests unsuccessful applicants to click. On clicking, they will then be asked to type personal information such as full names, phone numbers, and Application ID.
Conclusion
Npower did not shortlist applicants. The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs has debunked the claim. Also, the website peddled as the link for checking the claim is fake, and users risk having their information in the wrong hands.
The researcher produced this fact-check per the Dubawa 2020 Fellowship partnership with Vision FM to facilitate the ethos of “truth” in journalism and enhance media literacy in the country.
