Coronavirus

  • What Does Kyari’s, Autopsy Reveal?

    A Facebook post by NEWSFLASHNG.COM posits that the late Mallam Abba Kyari died from ulcer and not coronavirus as is generally believed.

    This statement is outrightly false in the light of its blatantly flimsy attempt to negate the autopsy reports of the doctors and the pronouncements from medical experts from the Lagos State Ministry of Health.

    Full text

    A Facebook post by NEWSFLASHNG.COM on April 18 suggests that the Chief of Staff to the President, Mallam Abba Kyari, died of ulcer and not coronavirus. 

    The post then vainly challenges the Minister for Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, to explain to Nigerians how he (Abba Kyari) died.

    It is no news that the cold hands of death snatched the former chief of staff to the president on the 17th of April, 2020.

    The former chief of staff to the president tested positive to covid-19 on the 23rd of March 2020; losing the fight against the disease on the 17th of April 2020.

    Verification 

    A click on the link leads us to a page with entirely different content from the headline of the post at issue.  The link does not directly lead to the full story as the headline suggested; it instead led to content about a scholarship.

    The headline of the story is starkly different from the main text; suggesting textbook misinformation purveyors employ to garner click-traction to respective sites.

    In truth, the writer is leveraging on emotions with the use of that sensational headline for clicks and views.

    Furthermore, in our research, we came across a few Facebook groups that also shared this same story. And what do these groups have in common? They all share that anti-Buhari, pro-Biafran sentiment. 

    Ridiculous as it seems, they all shared this post regardless of the content; an intent we can only label as malicious as it deliberately misinforms the public.

    The Usual Suspects

    As said in earlier publications, “sensational headlines are a pointer that the news might be fake”. This particular one is indeed fake; it did not only give a false statement on the death of the chief of staff, but it also provided a wrong premise to it. 

    Sites such as these leverage emotions via clickbait titles for notoriety. 

    This piece serving as an example still emphasises the need for readers to be sceptical of any piece of information they come across. Additionally,  readers should ensure they go through the main text and not only the headline. Further, simply reading the text will give the reader confirmation of the author’s intention- to inform or ensnare a reader with the use of sensational headlines.

  • BCG Vaccine May Cure Tuberculosis, But not COVID-19- WHO

    Recent news claiming that the Tuberculosis vaccine- BCG may be effective against Covid-19 is an important one; so much so it requires urgent investigation.

    Full Text

    This claim is rampant on WhatsApp platforms, usually citing studies that examine links between national vaccination policies and Covid-19 incidences. 

    The assumption of the claim is – given that BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) vaccine provides “broad protection to respiratory infections,” it should give some protection against Covid-19. The first study of this kind observed that countries which had universal and long-standing BCG policies were less affected by Covid-19. Therefore, concluding that “BCG might confer long-lasting protection against the current strain of coronavirus”. 

    Verification 

    The World Health Organisation (WHO), the organisation which has global stewardship for public health, has addressed this claim directly. On April 12, the WHO, in recognising the dangers of misinformation at this sensitive time, stated in their scientific brief that:

    “There is no evidence that the Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine (BCG) protects people against infection with COVID-19 virus”. 

    The organisation further puts the claim to rest, saying that two clinical trials that seek to address these very concerns of people are underway.  

    The BCG Vaccine

    A vaccine which has existed for nearly a century is now the center of attention for hopeful global citizens. 

    Health practitioners typically use the BCG vaccine to protect children against severe forms of tuberculosis- a Mycobacterium-caused life-threatening infectious disease. Worse still, health authorities consider this disease, a leading cause of death in many parts of the world, including Nigeria. However, the BCG  vaccine is only effective against 70% to 80% of the most severe forms of TB in children, says the UK’s National Health Service.  BCG does not protect against numerous respiratory infections as the claim suggests; if this were true, we would not still need the influenza vaccine.  

    It is worth mentioning that there is no evidence to support the claims.  The BCG vaccine has no documented protective effects against any other disease but tuberculosis and interestingly, meningitis and leprosy

    Worse still, the fact that viruses such as SARSCov2 neglect to respond in like manner to bacteria further adds to our scepticism. In the same vein, the WHO occasionally reiterates that there are no confirmed vaccines for COVID-19. Also, the organisation affirms that it will be months before they approve a vaccine; adding that the agency is currently investigating about 115 possible vaccines. Hence, we can conclusively say the BCG vaccine is not a means to protect oneself against COVID-19 until reputable health authorities say otherwise. 

    The danger of such assertions 

    At this critical time in the world’s history, the search for a solution to Covid- 19 is imperative; so much so it attracts the attention of scientists, various health practitioners and ordinary citizens alike. Consequently, one must be cautious about propagating news of a cure by BCG or other vaccines until the scientific community so confirms. Similar claims have been made about chloroquine, just as is the claim about an imminent Covid-19 vaccine.  

    Conclusion

    As evidenced by the preceding, it is best to disregard this claim. That is, however, until sources of repute proclaim after much research and substantial findings say otherwise. Notwithstanding, it is understandable to see optimism in ongoing research efforts in the face of the novel coronavirus pandemic; still, citizens must remain critical and well-informed. 

  • WhatsApp Message Highlights Presidency’s Shortcomings with Kyari’s Burial

    On Saturday, April 18th, news of Abba Kyari’s death went viral; as a result, Nigerians took to their social media handles to share their thoughts about the President’s Chief of Staff. While Twitter welcomed mixed-reactions from the people, we received a long text from WhatsApp. 

    From the text, we have drafted the following claims:  

    1.  Flown from Abuja to Lagos when he tested positive (breaking lockdown rules)
    2.  He was treated privately at First Cardiology in Ikoyi  (not Isolation Centre)
    3.  His body was released for burial contrary to what Lai Mohammed said that COVID 19 dead bodies cannot be released for burial.
    4. Claims about unprofessional and unhealthy conduct at the burial site.

    Full Text

    Abba Kyari and COVID-19

    Thisday broke the news on Abba Kyari’s COVID-19 on March 24. However, Sahara Reporters first broke the news a day before, albeit based on a gut-feeling; the paper later confirmed their suspicion the following day when hunch became fact.  Kyari, himself further affirmed the revelation in his statement on 29th, where he revealed he would be going to Lagos for further tests and observation. He was there till April 18th, Saturday where he reportedly died.

    CLAIM 1: Abba Kyari was Flown from Abuja to Lagos when he tested positive, thereby breaking lockdown rules.

    Verification

    The lockdown in Abuja, Lagos and Ogun became effective 11 pm on 30th Of March; occurring a day after Abba Kyari released a statement, confirming his COVID-19 status. In this statement, released on the 29th of March, Kyari announced his transfer to Lagos for further observation and tests.

    “I am writing to let you know that on medical advice, I will transfer to Lagos later today for additional tests and observation…”

    Supporting this report is the publication by DailyTrust that included Kyari’s arrival in Lagos in an air Ambulance. The Lockdown, however, did not start until 11 pm on the 30th of March. 

    Be that as it may, a publication suggested that Kyari violated the Quarantine Act for embarking on private treatment against advice of government officials and top health practitioners.

    Conclusion

    While is true that Abba Kyari was flown to Lagos from Abuja, it is important to note that according to available evidence, he arrived Lagos before Lockdown came into effect.

    CLAIM 2: He was treated privately at First Cardiology in Ikoyi  (not Isolation Centre).

    Verification 

    The Lagos State Commissioner for health, Akin Abayomi, has confirmed, as published by Premium Times, that the former Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari had died in a private hospital identified as First Cardiology Consultants, situated in Ikoyi, Lagos.

    However, we recall the health minister, Osagie Ehanire, previously said that there were no private hospitals for managing confirmed cases of COVID-19 disease in the country. He made the statement while responding to questions on whether any private hospital had been accredited for the management of COVID-19. He added that the management of the disease is difficult and can overwhelm private facilities. 

    While the hospital is not an isolation centre, the Lagos State government has said the hospital has the capacity to manage COVID-19 cases and has been accredited.

    “hospital is a Lagos State designated high care, biosecurity-compliant, COVID-19 facility, accredited by the Health Facility Management and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) of the Lagos State Ministry of Health.”

    However, The Nigeria Medical Association had warned against treating COVID-19 patients outside isolation centres; as “there are so many things involved which go beyond the expertise of the medical personnel.”

    Following the death and burial of Kyari, the Lagos state government has ordered for the closure of First Cardiology and suspension of operations at the private hospital for decontamination.

    Conclusion

    The chain message was accurate concerning Kyari’s treatment being in a private hospital. The said hospital in Lagos State managed his condition until he died. This action, however, has sparked reactions from health experts as well as the Lagos State government who reportedly closed the hospital for fumigation.

    CLAIM 3: The authorities released his body for burial, contrary to what Lai Mohammed said about COVID-19 dead bodies.

    Verification

    On April 3rd, The Nation noted the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Muhammed, saying that corpses of COVID-19 positive patients were the purview of the ministry of health; further stating that loved ones cannot claim them for burial. He also said the department of health would handle the bodies because they are contagious.

    Yet, on 18th of April, authorities released Abba Kyari’s body and flew him to Abuja for burial at Gudu Military Cemetary. However, the men that buried his remains were ensembled in protective equipment.

    Are COVID-19 dead bodies contagious?

    According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), in its Interim Guidelines for the Safe Management of a Dead Body in the Context of COVID-19, bodies of coronavirus victims can be infectious only if the pathologist mishandles the patient’s lungs during an autopsy. The agency further said, “To date, there is no evidence of infectious bodies of persons who died of COVID-19.” 

    But NCDC has not stated whether it is right or wrong to release COVID-19 dead bodies for burial but has made provision for family members and friends to view the corpse before burial while making sure to observe certain precautions during and after viewing.

    “Family and friends may view the body after it has been prepared for burial, in accordance with customs. They should not touch or kiss the body and should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water following the viewing; physical distancing measures should be strictly applied (at least 2 meters between people).”

    Additionally, the NCDC put guidelines in place for anyone that wants to bury the dead.

    Conclusion

    The WhatsApp claim is accurate. However, Lai Mohammed’s statement that the bodies are contagious is not entirely true. Remains can only be infectious if the Pathologist mishandles the patient’s lungs of the patients during an autopsy. However, seeing as the amount of care rendered during Kyari’s autopsy (concerning his lungs) remains with his Pathologist, we cannot be sure; even a report may not paint an accurate picture. 

    CLAIM 4: Claims about unprofessional and unhealthy conduct at the burial site.

    Verification

    The Health and Human Services Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Authority has acknowledged and addressed all unprofessional conduct presented in the WhatsApp message in a statement. The statement urged residents to remain calm; further promising that in the future, burial arrangements will be in line with the protocols established by the NCDC. 

    Conversely, the taskforce refuted a falsehood circulating on social media; positing the agency gave a would-be apology for violating social-distancing protocols. Notwithstanding, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, subsequently admitted to “unintentionally” violating COVID-19 protocols. Mustapha, who doubles as the head of the Presidential Task-Force (PTF) on COVID-19, made this revelation during a PTF briefing.

    Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory Enforcement Team expressed their aloofness with regards to the burial. The team’s head, Attah Ikharo, revealed this, also stating how the agency has prosecuted over 150 persons; promising more ongoing prosecutions as the team ascertains the total number for the day. It is also important to note that the presidency has denied Villa access to some of its aides; the ones who attended the funeral.

    Conclusion

    All available evidence supports the assertion that the funeral proceedings breached NCDC’s protocols; however, the federal authorities launched preemptive initiatives to curb the spread resulting thereof.

  • Weekly Newsletter on the Ongoing Infodemic: April 20, 2020

    For most of last month, news columns were filled with sponsors doling out billions of Naira to the Nigerian government. But who exactly is getting the money? How much is it? What projects are being implemented? And if you don’t have access to the funds, what home remedies can you do to cheat death?

    Infodemic and crises: often inseparable

    A look at trends in Nigeria shows that fear, confusion and hope trump logic during socio-political, economic, religious or public health crises. In truth, during the 2013 general elections, a significant number of killings were perpetrated by young men (politically motivated thugs). This group then successfully encouraged voters to boycott the polls in some states; a feat that has remained a constant feature in all Nigerian elections till date. Economic inequality and government unaccountability have exacerbated secessionist movements in later years; while Ebola and the current Covid-19 pandemic led to a spike in inconceivable fake cures that have proven fatal.

    Financial accountability

    Because the Nigerian system is often perverse to inquiries, full disclosure by public office holders and susceptible to emotional sways, the odds for false information are high. When news reports surfaced about several donations of about N43 Billion to provide beds for isolation centres, intensive care unit facilities and direct access to medical advice; Nigerians’ rainbow of hope turned to a mere display of colours after fire gutted the office of the Accountant-General. 

    It was no wonder that online media was awash with comparisons between the fire and government mismanagement of funds. Sooner than later, the usual suspects took to meme-making webpages to doll out fake pictures to show that “all the billions donated to tackle covid-19 has been burnt as a result of the fire”. Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Ms Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, was also wrongly quoted to have claimed that the government lost 700 billion naira in donations from individuals to the fire. However, Dubawa debunked both claims, rating them- FALSE.

    Fake cures and False information

    Similarly, the Nigeria Centre for Disease and Control (NCDC) had to refute rumours that it spent 1billion Naira on educating Nigerians about the coronavirus pandemic through SMS/Text Messages. The post, which started circulating on April 8, has been found on WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter.

    As there are no detailed publicly available records of the use of COVID-19 funds and mixed messages, fake news on social media continues to soar. And so also for preventive measures and fake cures because covid-19 is a novel flu that has never been the focus of medical study until recently. And when scientists discuss as-yet-unproven theories, anxious people can take unnecessary risks.

    From the viral WhatsApp audio message urging Nigerians to eat garlic three times a day to the very explanatory ‘false’ post that Africans are immune to the virus, different variations of cures and preventive measures seem to surface daily. Our recent fact-check shows that other food items – lemon, lime, avocado – also made the list. At this point, one wonders if hope is still a big motivation for these cures or transcendence to financial incentives.

    CORONAVIRUS Q & A 

    What Nigerians are asking
    • Can coronavirus be transmitted through fart?

    At the moment, experts are not sure, although a doctor raised the issue on social media. In his findings, Australian doctor Andy Tagg cited tests carried out earlier this year which showed 55 per cent of patients with SARS-CoV-2 had it present in their faeces. Still, the jury is currently out on this one. And even if it turns out to be accurate, you are way more likely to catch it by being in close contact with someone who coughs or sneezes, or by picking up droplets (from coughs or sneezes) on your hands when you touch a hard surface, except you intend to use your nose to inhale someone’s fart in very close proximity.

    • Can coronavirus survive in the heat?

    Granted, some viruses such as cold and flu viruses spread more quickly in the colder months; still, it does not mean that their activities stop when weather conditions become harsh. As it stands, scientists do not know how temperature changes will influence the behaviour of SARS-CoV-2. Plus, case count in Africa (and Nigeria) shows that coronavirus can survive in hot climates, perhaps not as alarmingly high as colder regions; still, we do not know what other factors could be curtailing its spread.

    • When will coronavirus end?

    No one truly knows, but a lot depends on humans practising social distancing, proper hygiene and other measures that reduce human contact. New York Times says that a better question might be: “How will we know when to reopen the country?” For now, let’s stay at home, self-isolate from others in the household if we feel unwell, and contact NCDC if symptoms persist.

    • What are WHO-recommended coronavirus prevention tips?

    This information is available on the WHO’s website, but in summary: “Most people who become infected experience mild illness and recover, but it can be more severe for others. Take care of your health and protect others by doing the following:

    • Wash your hands frequently
    • Maintain social distancing
    • Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
    • Practice respiratory hygiene
    • Stay informed and follow the advice given by your local authorities.”

    TIP OF THE WEEK

    #FAKENEWS ALERT

    There’s precious little that we can do about the barrage of misinformation that we see daily, but there’s a lot we can do together if we learn to identify suspicious claims in the news and refrain from fuelling the fire by spreading them! Here are our top picks of likely-to-be-false news which [sadly] couldn’t be fact-checked.

    We added this to our last newsletter, but it’s still in circulation. So we ask again, is it possible to test for a disease over the phone? Has GTBank announced it’s involvement in this? Has there been any news report from credible platforms to corroborate the claim? The answers will tell if the news is genuine or not.

    At the time of this publication, vaccines are still in development, with only a small handful in Phase 1 trials, which involves making sure the vaccine isn’t dangerous to humans. Besides, a similar claim that a vaccine trial resulted in the death of seven children in Senegal turned out false.

    In essence, know a little about medical procedures and you could save yourself from a bit of misinformation 

    Ignoring the spelling errors, when a non-news platform, in its traditional sense, uses the word breaking to disseminate a message on its public page to thousands of viewers with a fake image, the first thing to look out for is the source of the news. As you would assume, there is no citation of a news platform, yet the post garnered 3.6K shares and 609 shares.

  • Stop Waiting on the ₦5000 Alert from Obasanjo- It’s a Hoax!

    A blog post quotes ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo as saying he sent 5,000 naira each to all Nigerians, further citing a Channels television interview as the source of this intel. 

    The former President of Nigeria did not donate 5000 naira each to Nigerians totalling 1billion dollars. Further, the last interview Obasanjo granted on Channelstv was about national security and not on covid-19.

                                Full text

    A blog post claims former President Olusegun Obasanjo donated 5000 naira each to Nigerians, summing up to 1billion dollars as part of his effort to ease the effect of the covid-19 lockdown on Nigerians.

    The post also quoted Obasanjo as saying when he was the president he knew how difficult it was to manage a country. Further, the post also claimed that Obasanjo had said that he has tried to clean Nigeria, adding that the problem remains that all of the officials are corrupt and as a result, brought tears to his eyes, thus prompting him to be generous to Nigerians by giving everyone 5000 naira each.

    Verification 

    Following the wake of COVID-19, there have been several donations; these contributions to relief, in truth, have been in cash and kind to the government. However, contrary to this claim by this blogpost, the former president never donated money to the government or Nigerians.

    Amongst the numerous donations, that of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo in March was his former residence. Indeed, his contribution featured a 32-room facility in Abeokuta, presented to the Ogun State Government; to convert into an isolation centre for covid-19 patients.

    During this research, Dubawa confirmed the last interview the former president featured in was a Channels news broadcast; where he (Obasanjo) spoke briefly on March 2nd on the state of security in the country.

    At no point in the broadcast did the former president mention that he would send cash donations to every Nigerian; simply because he felt Nigerians had not been treated fairly. 

    Apart from the donation of his former residence to the Ogun State government, the former president has not made any financial donation to the government or individual Nigerians.

    Questionable post

    On first glance, the blog post raises issues of credibility  of the claim.  

    First, the author only mentioned the date of the interview; he or she failed to state the exact month and year of the said interview, making our search cumbersome. 

    Secondly, it is quite ridiculous to say that each Nigerian received 5000 naira; as Nigerians are known to hype good deeds.

    Thirdly, if the claims were valid, the former president would have communicated publicly why, when and how the fund would be disbursed. 

    Furthermore, it is essential to note that this is not the first time blogs have attributed such inciting statements to the ex-president; statements about the ineptitude of the government, which invariably turn out false. Besides, the obscurity about the interview is not in sync with Obasanjo’s style of open letter writing to and about the federal government. 

    Conclusion

    There was no donation to Nigerians. At least no Nigerian have attested to that fact on social media as many Nigerians would customarily have done.

    The only documented donation was ex-President Obasanjo’s residence in Ogun state; which he reportedly converted to an isolation centre for confirmed coronavirus cases.

  • Trained Shot Against the Gate’s Family Misses- Again!

    A Facebook user claims Melinda Gates divorced her husband, Bill Gates, for wanting to destroy Africa.

    During an interview with Poppy Harlow on CNN, Melinda discussed her Foundation’s plans to tackle the pandemic. She further advised African leaders to act fast, as their countries will arguably be the worst hit. At no point, however, did she discuss her marital affairs; nor proclaim her husband a killer or someone with a murderous mind. Most importantly, any information of this magnitude about the world’s richest couple would hit the headlines of major news platforms; not just social media outlets, least of all from users with no credibility or track record. 

    Full text

    A Facebook user on April 8th 2020  has claimed that Melinda Gates, the wife of the famous philanthropist, Bill Gates, has divorced her husband.

    The post made mention of the fact that Bill Gates also plans through a vaccine to poison and destroy Africa. And while not willing to be privy to this wickedness, the wife has decided to divorce him.

    Verification

    For many years now, Bill and Melinda Gates have been developing tools and strategies to reduce the danger of infectious disease and child mortality in developing countries with the aid of science and technology.

    Their foundation is unarguably interested in global health by investing heavily to achieve that purpose in many countries, especially in the Global South.

    Questionable Source

    Moreover, the fundamental questions that every news story should answer are lacking in this story. Firstly, the post failed to mention a source, the time, or place, Melinda broke such news. Furthermore, no credible news platforms broke the news. Customarily, such information about one of the most famous couples on the globe would make headlines in major outlets and newspapers. More so, the story’s first point of entry would not be a social media post; least of all one with no credentials or track record of credibility.

    Possible genesis of the conjecture

    On April 10, Melinda Gates granted an interview with  CNN’s Poppy Harlow; here, the conversation centred around “coronavirus pandemic” and the “crisis” facing countries in Africa. 

    Melinda further gave insight on the Foundation’s plans to develop a vaccine as a means to end the pandemic. She did not, at any point, provide any hint concerning her marital relationship with her Bill. Her statement focused only on the need for Africa to act fast to curb the spread of the COVID-19; this according to her is to avoid a large death count in Africa that could arise from the inadequate health care systems in most of Africa.

    None of Melinda’s statement correlates with this Facebook post insinuating she has divorced her husband. But if that were the case, Melinda would surely have made it known herself, especially that the Facebook post came out two days before the interview.

    Ebola still without a vaccine

    Concerning the outbreak of 2014, the Gates Foundation released $50million to support emergency response to Ebola without any trace of malevolent intention. And in reality, there are no reports to suggest that vaccination resulted in the deaths of a million children. Further, no credible publication or post suggested that Bill Gates’ intervention in the Ebola epidemic had any hidden motive, other than corporate philanthropy. Although there are antiviral drugs to treat the symptoms of Ebola, there is still no vaccine available, according to the United States, Centre for Disease Control.

    Courtesy: US Centre for Disease Control

    Malicious intent

    While the reason for false claims about Bill’s marital life and about his hidden intention for paying philanthropic attention to Africa still eludes us, available evidence so far suggests that the post is a hoax. This all further places emphasis on the need to verify a message before sharing.

  • Did Nigeria Hit the 100 Billion Mark in COVID-19 Donations?

    A blog post suggests that the Finance Minister says the federal government lost 700billion naira covid-19 relief fund to the fire outbreak at the Accountant General’s office.

    The Finance minister never made such a comment; with her agency issuing a tweet that rebuffs the falsehood. Moreover, the donations so far are not up to 700 billion naira.

    UPDATE

    While we thought we had put this claim to rest, like the walkingdead, it keeps coming back up. This iteration featured a viral WhatsApp picture-text preaching the same message:

    The image in the background whose appearance is similar to a news frame shows the burning treasury house LIVE on the top left corner. It presents its message in the form of breaking news… a tactic not obscure to trained eyes.

    Meanwhile, after speaking with the Minister of State, Premium Times identified the cause of the fire as an electric spark earlier on April 8.

    So, back to the image; on first glance, a straightforward verdict is evident- FALSE. Because the picture carries the watermark of a meme making website, its foundation is baseless at best. Further, the site also has an app which provides users with a template of a news frame; thereby, making it easier for anyone to break the news at their leisure.

    Also, it seems this is not this site’s first rodeo; as it has further contributed to the wave of misinformation surrounding the pandemic on several occasions in the past.

    Moreover, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba – the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning – already said that the agency did not lose any data to the fire. The minister made this comment while addressing the discussions on social media concerning possible funds lost. He further revealed that the ministry’s operations are digital and that all data are intact.

    By: Lateef Sanni

    Full text

    The nation was awash with several conspiracy theories in respect of the fire outbreak Wednesday, April 8, 2020. Several unsubstantiated claims have ensued. Some of these conjectures claimed that the inferno was a pretext for the pilferage from the COVID-19 donation funds.

    Amongst these falsehoods, comes this page which quotes Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Ms Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed. According to the page, she exclaimed that the government lost in a fire accident, 700 billion naira in donations from individuals.

    This big “reveal” came after a section of the office of the Accountant- General of the federation was gutted by fire on April 8.

    The page in question further states that the minister made the proclamation at a press interview the next day, Thursday, April 9.  

    The quote attributed to Ms Ahmed on the page reads:

    “We are sorry about the incident last occurred on Wednesday been 8th of April 2020, the government lost 700billuon naira Covid-19 relief funds due to the fire outbreak, it’s caused a lot of damages in the office and were yet to investigate on what caused the outbreak.”

    Verification 

    While it is factual that fire engulfed a section of the office of Accountant-General of the federation; the minister of finance did not exclaim that the government lost donations as a result of the fire. 

    Furthermore, we checked the total donations, so far, and it corresponds to about 43billion naira; not 700billion naira as the post asserts. So far, no credible platform has reported the claim either, calling its integrity into account. 

    Secondly, in a Twitter response to the claim, the Ministry of Finance debunked this news.

    Meanwhile, the fire razed the fourth floor and fifth floors, which are reportedly cash processing floors off the office. The fourth-floor hosts processing of allocations to the federal, state, and local governments; the fifth-floor houses the office of the Accountant General. 

  • Was President Buhari Smug Over the Two-Week Extension to the Lockdown?

    A blog post headlined that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria said Nigerians should appreciate him for the two-week lockdown extension.

    During his speech, the President did not make such a statement; this is a clear illustration of a falsified headline purposely meant to catch the reader’s attention.

    Full text

    Monday, April 13 marked the end of the two weeks lockdown initiated by the Federal government, or so we thought. As the countdown slowly came to a halt, everyone waited anxiously for a directive from the presidency; although all indications pointed to a possible extension. And just yesterday, the suspense was over. The administration announced another two weeks of self-isolation for the citizenry. 

    Shortly after President Buhari’s nationwide address on the 13th of April 2020, a blog site- Oyinbonaija- decided to add fuel to the fire of uncertain emotions embodied by Nigerians. The website’s publication which already garnered over 469 views suggests that President Muhammadu Buhari urged Nigerians to appreciate him for the extension. 

    But is this really the case? Did the President make such a comment while giving his speech?

    Verification

    A proper look at the publication revealed that the only contradicting statement of the publication was the headline. The main text was starkly different from the headline.

    A section of the President’s speech read:

    “With this in mind and having carefully considered the briefings and Report from the Presidential Task Force and the various options offered, it has become necessary to extend the current restriction of movement in Lagos and Ogun States as well as the FCT for another 14 days effective from 11:59 pm on Monday, 13th of April, 2020. I am therefore once again asking you all to work with (the) Government in this fight”. 

    However, at no point in time did the President say that Nigerians should appreciate him for the lockdown, at least not in his speech.

    Sensational headlines

    Oyinbonaija in its publication, like many other misleading pieces, leverages emotions via sensational headlines for clicks and views. This tactic, however, is not novel and not in the least imperceptible.

    Consequently, Dubawa still urges readers to be sceptical of any piece of information they come across. Additionally,  readers should ensure they go through the main text and not only the headline. This will give the reader the idea the source of the message is trying to pass.

    And as a reminder, sensational headlines are a pointer that the news might be fake. At the very least, interrogate the piece with a simple google search; better still, reach out to us.

    Conclusion

    The President did not say in his speech that Nigerians should appreciate him for extending the lockdown by two weeks. Sites such as these leverage emotions via clickbait titles for notoriety. 

  • Working during a crisis is one of the hardest things to do, But fact-checkers are doing it anyway!

    Are you afraid of the world as it is or what could come next? You may not feel terrified or anxious but acknowledge that others do, for legitimate reasons. Life as we know it is changing. People are dying; businesses are retrenching their workers, thus making a global recession imminent. Humans, regardless of race, colour, gender or social class, are being forced to make death-defying decisions or just pause.

    A mandatory long pause.

    But what happens when you’re an essential service and have to work in a fast-paced environment? 0r substitute sleep, safety, tik-toking and family time for the mental strain of repeated exposure to disturbing news and round-the-clock reporting? In Italy that has recorded one of the highest death rates so far (about 17,669 deaths), a journalist speaks

    I think it’s inevitable that I eventually go and do some on-the-ground reporting because that’s what the best version of journalism is, but the trade-offs of doing it have never felt so immense before.”

    Worse still, some people don’t even think you’re essential. New generation critics argue that media coverage and fact-checking are exacerbating public fears and need to stop.

    Yet, even the World Health Organization’s Director-General, Tedros Adhanom, has emphasised that accurate, timely information is essential to fighting COVID-19. This rationale holds as reports suggest that factual information during the initial outbreak in China’s city of Wuhan in December may have resulted in quicker responses by some governments to the emerging contagion. 

    And then, there’s the issue of viral claims about fake cures which threaten to kill as many people as the virus itself.

    In the US, people are spreading false cures and preventive measures like drinking bleach to cure the virus. And some people have adopted such untested measures because they want to find a fast cure. So our [fact-checkers’] hands are falling, typing and searching for data so people can make good decisions… Fact-checkers need to be protected, the work they do is precious”, opined Cristina Tardaguila, the Associate Director of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN). 

    Interestingly, Cristina is leading an alliance of more than 100 fact-checkers from 60+ countries across 43 languages and 16 time zones; the league have debunked around 3,000 hoaxes regarding COVID-19.

    The CoronaVirusFacts/DatosCoronaVirus Alliance is currently helping citizens make better decisions with accurate information.

    I found that the pandemic brought way more work than I bargained for… like a game of whack-a-mole: debunk one piece and two come out in its stead,” says Victor Ndukwe, Editor at Dubawa, a fact-checking project in Nigeria. “Although there’s the cold comfort in knowing that it’s a group effort, several others are slugging it out in over 45 countries.” 

    Recently, a fact-checking organisation in Belgium, Fact-check.Vlaanderen posted an overview article about the most prevalent conspiracy theories in the region. Using Facebook to boost the report, the platform saw their post reach a decent target audience; but not without people accusing the authors of being mainstream-media puppets, covering up the real truth about what is going on.

    Turning lemons to a healthy lemonade, Guy De Pauw feels that authors “now have a pretty good overview of which conspiracy theories are really sticking in the region of Flanders, and just how immune some people are to factual information”. 

    Correctiv in Germany had never experienced such pressure before – about 30 emails per day and 1,500 claims submissions within two weeks.

    There is no socialising in coffee breaks anymore. We were a team of four fact-checkers in March; now we are eight. Because one of our colleagues got infected with coronavirus, we now work from home, constantly chatting via slack or video conferences. We have to and want to go on!”, says Alice Echtermann. 

    At the same time, Full Fact, a UK-based fact-checking organisation that has run around 70 fact-checks on the coronavirus sees it “as a marathon and not a sprint. And because people are facing a lot of challenges, [they] will continue to provide the support [they] can”. 

    Faraway Kenya reports a similar tone of helplessness. Managing Editor at Pesacheck.org, Eric Mugendi explains:

    Having to look at these things over and over again has been quite tiring (and draining), and the fact that, from a distance, we watched it spread elsewhere and we’re now watching it spread here is made worse because people are not complying with the government directives. When Kenya’s first case was confirmed, it became more real for everyone, and now, we are being inundated with requests for information and to verify claims, so we can no longer avoid the news about the disease.”

    Generally, most fact-checking organisations have small teams, and even larger organisations are still struggling.

    Laura Zommer, CEO of Chequeado in Argentina explains that the increase from 2 or 3 articles a day to 35-50 fact-checks per week is hard for her 22-man team. And because this situation is peculiar, fact-checkers have to rethink traditional ways of working.

    Balancing family time and working is difficult, for sure. In the first weeks, it was almost impossible to homeschool the kids, do groceries, cook and other domestic chores that are women’s responsibility in Latin American homes. Thankfully, my team made some rules that encourage colleagues to disconnect for a while at different moments of the day. We encourage the team to take care of themselves and engage in activities related to yoga, meditation and exercise. Obviously, it is not very easy. But at least at this moment, perhaps because we feel that the demand is so high, we realise that it is something that we should do. But we also know that we should be more careful about ourselves; we must take care of ourselves.”

    For all the fact-checkers, journalists and essential workers out there, we say – Hey, that’s some tough work you’re doing. Are you okay?
  • SMS Advisories Has Been A Recent NCDC Strategy, But Did It Cost Them a Fortune?

    A picture text circulating on WhatsApp attributed to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control claims they spent 1 billion naira on SMS notifications to educate Nigerians.

    The NCDC did not claim that it spent one billion naira on the circulation of SMS to Nigeria. Instead, the text messages on COVID-19 are in-kind support by telecommunication companies, Airtel, Glo and MTN.

    Full Text

    A viral screenshot reveals that the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has spent 1billion Naira on educating Nigerians about the coronavirus pandemic through SMS/Text Messages. The post, which started circulating on April 8, has been found on WhatsApp, Facebook and Twitter.

    The author presented the claim in the form of a screenshot of a supposed news site.  It has ‘NEWS’ written on the top left corner, followed by a big headline which reads, “Breaking: We have spent 1B Naira on SMS just to educate Nigerians – NCDC.” Below the headline was the NCDC logo and the body of the news which seems cropped off immediately after the first paragraph.

    In addition to using its social media platforms and website, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), has also chosen text messaging as a medium to inform and educate people on the new coronavirus. But has the centre incurred up to 1billion Naira on educating the public via SMS?

    Verification

    Often, fake news platforms commit horrendous spelling and grammatical errors. In this case, one such error is the spelling of the word “centre” in the picture-text. The choice to opt for the American version of the spelling- “center” is questionable. This is especially true as we adopt the British spelling in this country and one would think officials ought to know that. Not to mention, when such a blunder was used in the organisation’s name.

    Also, it is common practice in journalism to indicate how an author comes about a comment; a vital piece absent in the claim attributed to the NCDC and one Dubawa notes as a main-stay element of false statements.

    Another factor that immediately portrayed the claim as fake is the fact that no credible media outlet published it. The issue addressed in the publication is too essential for the mainstream media to miss or ignore. The silence of the media on this information, therefore, waved a red flag on the post.

    NCDC rebuffed the assertion

    But whatever doubt existed that the claim was fake evaporated when the NCDC dissociated itself from the publication. In a post on its Facebook Page, on Thursday, the public health agency tagged the post fake, saying its officials never made such comment. 

    The agency then explained:

    “The headline claiming that NCDC has spent 1 billion naira on SMS to Nigerians is FALSE‬. ‪While communication through SMS is a key part of our #COVID19 response strategy, this has been largely provided as in-kind support by Airtel, MTN & Glo mobile network providers #TakeResponsibility.”

    It is worth noting that since the pandemic spread to Nigeria, an infodemic ensued; and perpetrators have mischievously attributed concocted claims to the NCDC. The agency, however, has been prompt in disproving and disowning them. 

    As Dubawa noted here, purveyors of misinformation often attribute falsehoods to high profile people and organisations. Consequently, Dubawa recommends adequate scrutiny of every information you receive, before taking any action based on it; especially if it’s attributed to the NCDC. This rationale also applies to other agencies as well.

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