Please note that the FactCheckHub has not obtained any right from the authors or copyright owners of all third-party contents from embedded links and shall incur no liability in this regard.
Please note that the FactCheckHub has not obtained any right from the authors or copyright owners of all third-party contents from embedded links and shall incur no liability in this regard.
Please note that the FactCheckHub has not obtained any right from the authors or copyright owners of all third-party contents from embedded links and shall incur no liability in this regard.
Please note that the FactCheckHub has not obtained any right from the authors or copyright owners of all third-party contents from embedded links and shall incur no liability in this regard.
A Facebook post which states that the Cameroonian boxer, Francis Ngannou, claimed that Anthony Joshua’s blow was poorly delivered has surfaced online.
The claim, posted by a Facebook user, Kogi Global Media II, on the social media platform, read:
I Didn’t Feel That Knôckout Blôw Because it Was Poorly Delivered – Francis Ngannou
“I didn’t feel that knôckout blôw. All I remember is that I was tu$slîng with Anthony Joshua and then I woke up minutes later to see him celeberating. I didn’t even feel any paîn.”
The claim has circulated widely in multiple Facebook groups, including Ebira 4 real and Kogi Global Media II etc.
CLAIM
Francis Ngannou says Anthony Joshua’s blow was poorly delivered.
THE FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub revealed that the claim is FALSE!
Screenshot of the claim retrieved from a Facebook group. INSERT: False verdict.
The FactCheckHub sourced for appearances of the boxer speaking in relation to the recently conducted match and found a video of the post-fight press conference published by Sky Sports on YouTube.
There was nowhere in the 20 minutes footage where Ngannou said Joshua’s blow was poorly delivered. In the video, he congratulated Anthony Joshua.
Below is an excerpt transcribed from the interview:
‘… Well, I think I was just trying to collect as much as possible to make the count after, you know, I do not stop and start to make a count on what I have done, I was just on my way climbing up until I got stopped by AJ. Congratulations by the way, that was a clean one you know… so, in fact I didn’t feel the punch (laughter), I think that is what a knockout is all about, I don’t feel any pain,[sic] that was how I know I was knocked out.’
THE VERDICT
The claim that Francis Ngannou said Anthony Joshua’s blow was poorly delivered is FALSE; nowhere in the footage from the post-fight press conference did he said that.
AN online news blog, Igbo Times Magazine, has published a report with a claim that the Aba power plant located in Aba, Abia state was allegedly attacked and set on fire by some Fulani herdsmen.
The headline of the report published on March 2, 2024 read:
“Aba Power Plant Engulfed in Flames; Suspected Arson Attack by Fulani Herdsmen”
Further search online didn’t yield any result as our fact-checker found no credible media report regarding the alleged attack and arson on the power plant.
THE VERDICT
The claim that some Fulani herdsmen attacked the Aba power plant is FALSE; Geometric Power Limited has already debunked the report.
A Facebook user, Princess Nenye, has posted an image that shows the Nigerian comedian, Mark Angel, with an aircraft alongside a caption that says he bought a private jet recently and thus become the first African comedian to achieve the feat.
Mark Angel is a Nigerian comedian, scriptwriter, and content creator. He is best known for the Mark Angel Comedy series. He often features his cousin, Emmanuella Samuel who is known by her stage name, Emmanuella.
The claim read: “Congratulations to Nigerian Billionaire Comedian Mark Angel as He bought Private Jet The first African Comedian to own a private aircraft Let’s celebrate him. To everyone typing congratulations to mark angel, your own testimony is next to be celebrated.”
The post has garnered over 15,000 likes, more than 7,500 comments, and has been shared 191 times as of March 14, 2024.
CLAIM
Mark Angel bought a private jet.
THE FINDINGS
Findings by this researcher show that the claim is FALSE!
Through multiple online searches, this researcher retrieved a video where the image in the claim was screenshot from.
The video was posted online by an X (formerly Twitter) user, @noblecoins, on January 22, 2024.
In the video, Mark Angel is seen walking towards the airport terminal with two bodyguards. On his way, an aircraft was seen parked on the tarmac.
Following a closer look at the alleged ‘newly acquired jet,’ this researcher discovered that the aircraft has on its tail a registration number which is 5N-RSG.
When subjected to verification on Flight Radar, it revealed that the ownership of the aircraft is the River State Government.
Furthermore, this researcher thoroughly combed the social media accounts of the comedian, Mark Angel, to see if he has posted any photo of his ‘newly acquired private jet’ but did not see anything related to such.
However, no reputable local or international media reported such feat by the comedian.
THE VERDICT
The claim that Mark Angel bought a private jet is FALSE; checks show that the aircraft belongs to the River State Government and not the Nigerian comedian.
Supported by the Google News Initiative, this initiative aims to equip teenagers with the skills needed to navigate the flood of misinformation on the internet.
The TFCN in Canada will consist of two teams—one for English speakers and one for French speakers. These teams will debunk false information and guide how to discern truth from fiction, particularly on social media platforms.
Brittani Kollar, the deputy director of MediaWise, emphasized the importance of collaboration with MediaSmarts to address the growing need for media literacy, regardless of geographical boundaries.
“What we consume online does not adhere to geographical boundaries, and as neighbors, I am very excited to join efforts with MediaSmarts in media literacy education,” she said.
The primary focus of the TFCN is to empower teenagers to combat misinformation, especially on social media platforms. The teenagers will be able to create engaging videos to teach practical skills such as reverse image searches, enabling the Canadian teens to confidently discuss news and information with their peers and family members.
Kathryn Hill from MediaSmarts, a longstanding advocate for digital literacy in Canada, also believes that despite being strong social media users, Gen Z frequently encounters misinformation in our rapidly changing digital world.
“We feel that the best method to teach Canadian youth fact-checking abilities is to reach them through the social media channels they use and have them learn from their friends. This application allows us to accomplish exactly that,” Hill stated.
Also in an interview with the CTV, Hill reiterated the importance of helping Gen Z develop the instincts and skills to double-check, corroborate, and verify information which is essential in empowering them and the society in combating the proliferation of misinformation effectively.
MediaSmarts will also publish the teens’ videos on its TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube channels. Applications for the French-speaking newsroom are accepted on a rolling basis.
PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has claimed that Nigeria’s population is over 240 million.
Tinubu made the claim while speaking during the Nigeria-Qatar Business and Investment Forum in Doha held on March 3, 2024. The video was also shared on X (formerly Twitter), as archived here.
The visit to the Asian nation led to the signing of several agreements between the Nigerian government and Qatari authorities which range from education to sports.
During the visit, President Tinubu also spoke about the readiness of the Nigerian government to partner with the Qatari authorities and assured them of his government’s resolve to make Nigeria the best investment destination.
He said, “…My responsibility this afternoon is to tell you (the Qataris) that Nigerians are your friends. Open for Business. Open for honest partnerships. To assure you that the country as a whole with over 240 million people is ready and anxious to welcome you and your investment with open arms and open hand…”
CLAIM
Nigeria’s population is over 240 million.
THE FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.
Nigeria’s last conducted population census was in 2006 when the country’s population figure was put at 140 million. Statutorily, another population census was due in 2016, ten years after the last exercise but the Commission failed to conduct the head count.
The National Population Commission (NPC) is responsible for conducting census and managing other population issues in Nigeria. Even though the agency pledged to organise another census in 2023, the exercise was deferred three times before it was finally suspended indefinitely.
According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), population censuses should be conducted at least every ten years but the failure of successive Nigerian governments to do the needful has made the country reliant on alternative sources of data such as the World Bank and the United Nations for the past 17 years. However, none of the estimates provided by these organizations suggested that the population of Nigeria has surpassed 240 million.
Similarly, estimates provided by the World Population Review, according to Statista, show that Nigeria’s population stood at 226.2 million (226,184,946) as of December 2023. The country’s population was calculated to be 216 million in 2022. Similarly, the most recent data from the World Bank shows that the country’s total population as of 2022 is 218.5 million (218, 541, 212).
Nigeria’s population from 1950-2023. CREDITS: Statista
According to the Nigeria Population (Live) counter by Worldometre, a continuously updated estimate of the current population of Nigeria delivered by the organization’s RTS algorithm, Nigeria’s current population was 227.4 million (227,395,447) as of March 5, 2024.
In conclusion, there is no credible publicly available data which corroborates Tinubu’s claim that Nigeria’s population is over 240 million.
THE VERDICT
The claim by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that Nigeria’s population is over 240 million is FALSE; data from the World Bank, Worldometre and United Nations show that the estimated population of the country is not up to the figure stated by Tinubu.
The video of a man speaking on the impoverished state of sub-Saharan Africa has been making its rounds on social media, particularly on TikTok and WhatsApp.
In the viral 4 minutes, 22 seconds footage, the man was speaking on keeping Africa stuck on its role as the raw material producer for the development and prosperity of Europe and the global continents.
In his words:
Sub Saharan in Africa has been fundamental to the global prosperity of the advanced countries and Africa had a role to play. It has a role as a raw material producer, we will not allow sub Saharan Africa to escape that. Okay we do everything to keep sub Saharan Africa where it is also impoverished. It’s absolutely vital for the prosperity of everyone else. So let’s get clear about that okay and this means all the economic structures, all the global institutions and the economics we teach everyone is designed to keep Africa where it is … We need Africa to be impoverished because we need those raw materials and we need them dirt cheap.
The video was posted on TikTok by multiple users as seen here, here, here and here.
Also, the video has been circulating in multiple WhatsApp groups.
CLAIM
Video shows man denigrating Africa in a speech.
THE FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING!
Screenshot of the video posted on TikTok. INSERT: Misleading verdict.
Checks revealed that the man speaking in the video is Howard Nicholas, a professor and Senior Lecturer in Economics at the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of the Erasmus University of Rotterdam, Netherlands.
A keyword search conducted on the words ‘Howard Nicholas Speaks on Africa‘ provided multiple search results including a YouTube video uploaded by Critical Collective.
The video (archived here) is the first of a three part discussion on the underdevelopment in Africa organized by Critical Collective and was uploaded since October 2015.
Further checks revealed that the viral clip was doctored and taken out of context using multiple scenes from the original footage which is nearly thirty minutes, especially at 2:01 and 12:51 respectively.
Nicholas was giving a background of his paper on why the economic structures of sub- Saharan Africa still remains the way it is and NOT denigrating Africa.
THE VERDICT
The claim that the video shows man denigrating Africa in a speech is MISLEADING; the video was doctored and taken out of context from the original version.
AN X user, @Instablog9ja, has posted a video showing the governor of Anambra State, Charles Chukwuma Soludo, chiding a state official over a substandard road project during a site inspection in the state.
The @Instablog9ja, on March 11, 2024 claimed that the video shows the governor blasting the state’s Commissioner of Works over discrepancies observed in the road project.
The claim has garnered more than 800,000 views, over 1,000 reposts, more than 6000 likes plus over 600 comments as of March 12, 2024.
The video was also shared with the same caption on LindaIkeji’s blog.
CLAIM
Video shows Soludo blasting Anambra State’s Commissioner for Works.
THE FINDINGS
Findings by FactCheckHub show that the claim is MISLEADING.
Screenshot of the viral post on X shared by @Instablog9ja.
When The FactCheckHub examined the face of the man in the video, the checks show that the man is not Ifeanyi Okoma, the Anambra State’s Commissioner for Works.
Chairman of Ogbaru Local Government, Paschal Aniegbunam. / Source: Facebook.
In the video, Soludo, who was inspecting Relief Market- Obodo-Ukwu Road in Okpoko within the council area criticized the chairperson over his failure to ensure the construction of a walkway on the ongoing road project in the area.
In the footage, Soludo alleged that the chairperson made no efforts to construct a pedestrian walkway along the road, among other inadequacies observed on the project.
THE VERDICT
The claim that the video shows Soludo blasting Anambra State’s Commissioner for Works is MISLEADING, as the man being addressed in the video is Paschal Aniegbunam, the chairman of Ogbaru LGA in the state.
A former federal lawmaker, Shehu Sani, has claimed that Nigeria is the only country without a museum in its capital city.
Senator Sani made the claim on X (formerly Twitter) while reacting to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to Qatar where he and his entourage were taken on a tour of various Qatari monuments and the National Museum of Qatar by its Director, Abdulaziz bin Hamad Al Thani.
The post read: “I saw the President in the Qatar Museum.If the Emir of Qatar visits Abuja,there is no Museum to take him to.Budget after budget,Nigeria is the only country in the World without a Museum in its capital city.Right now,since the termination of the former DG of the National museum,the new one is yet to takeover.”
The claim has generated over 2,500 likes, more than 400 reposts and almost 400 comments, as of March 12, 2024.
CLAIM
There are no museums in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
THE FINDINGS
Findings by TheFactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE.
The claim posted on X by Senator Shehu Sani. INSERT: False verdict.
Checks show that Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Abuja has several museum centres which serve as a hub of tourism and attractions for visitors from across the country and beyond its borders.
For instance, Thought Pyramid Art Centre located at Wuse 2 in Abuja is an innovative art and museum centre dedicated to promoting contemporary art and culture in Nigeria.
It also serves as a hub for artists, art enthusiasts, and the public to engage with various forms of artistic expression, including visual arts, performances, excursions and events that contribute to the cultural enrichment of the community and the development of arts in Nigeria.
Similarly, there’s the “Discovery Museum” in Abuja which is touted as Nigeria’s first digital museum. The centre comprises both Adult and Children’s museums.
Founded in July 2021, the museum synchronizes art, tech, and history and it was built at the focal point of the Art Tech District. It features physical artifacts, virtual reality, and digital art gallery, among others.
Femi Gbajabiamila, the current Chief of Staff to President Tinubu, who is also a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, visited the centre in April 2023.
AT a time where social media platforms have evolved into battlegrounds for information integrity, arecent study has identified the mechanisms fordisinformationand provided countermeasures to curb it.
“Our findings reveal a disturbing trend of entities engaging in disinformation wars, using the anonymity and reach of social media to influence political and social narratives,” said Maryam Saeedi, the study co-author and Assistant Professor of Economics at the Tepper School of Business at Carnegie Mellon University.
“This manipulation is not only a direct threat to democratic processes but also to the general public’s ability to discern truth from fiction,” Saeedi added.
The study highlights the need to combat disinformation promptly and sheds light on the cunning strategies some regimes and organisations use to sway public opinion.
The study presents a novel preventive technique called “ex-ante content moderation,” which entails giving accounts a disinformation score determined by how likely they are to disseminate misleading information.The goal of this strategy is to proactively detect and lessen the effects of misinformation before a large audience is exposed to it.
Through a case study on the disinformation operations during the protests in Iran following Mahsa Amini’s death in September 2022, they assessed the effectiveness of the technique.The study provides a thorough understanding of how misinformation can be systematically found and refuted, through account classification and analysis of a special Farsi-language dataset spanning from September 2019 to March 2023.
Saeedi emphasizes the significance of this research given the state of world politics at the moment.
She noted that the preservation of democratic ideals and the defence of human rights depend heavily on the ability to recognise and combat disinformation campaigns, given the critical role that digital platforms continue to play in influencing public debate.
The results of this study have significant ramifications for social media companies, legislators, and the broader public.In order to develop and improve content moderation techniques that can successfully stop the spread of false information, the researchers urge cooperation between tech firms, governments, and civil society.
According to Saeedi, this report is a call to action.It emphasizes how important it is to take proactive, creative steps to protect our information ecology from people attempting to destroy it through misinformation campaigns.
The techniques described in the study alsooffer a basis for future attempts to guarantee the veracity and authenticity of information in the digital era, given the rapid evolution of disinformation.
A claim that the Nigerian government has approved the cessation of five South Eastern states from Nigeria has surfaced on TikTok.
The claim was contained in a screenshot of a headline from a popular Nigerian media platform, The Punch newspaper, which was posted by a TikTok user, @be_wise0, on the app on March 5, 2024.
The headline read:
Presidency speak on Biafra, we can’t give out south south, if the 5 south eastern state want to go they are free.
Below the headline, there was a featured image of a sitting of members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives for illustration.
The post also had a caption that read:
Biafra must be happy for this news #biafraly #Viral
The post has garnered over 300,000 views, more than 10,000 likes, over 4,700 comments and 300 shares as of March 8, 2024.
The Nigerian Presidency has approved the cessation of South eastern states.
THE FINDINGS
Findings by The FactCheckHub show that the claim is FALSE!
Screenshot of the post as retrieved from TikTok. INSERT: False verdict.
The FactCheckHub observed that there was no link to the full article attached with the post.
A look at the post shows that the headline was laden with multiple grammatical and spelling errors and wrong use of punctuation marks which is common with most falsified articles.
Screenshot of the TikTok post indicating some identified grammatical and punctuation errors.
Further checks by The FactCheckHub indicate that the date and author’s name which are often by the top left hand side of online reports published by Punch newspaper were missing.
The featured image used does not correlate with the headline in the post. The headline had ‘presidency’ while the featured image used was that a sitting of the House of Representatives’ members.
A Google Lens search conducted shows recent news report in which the same featured image was used as seen here and here.
When subjected to further online search using the same headline as keywords, no article with the headline contained in the Punch screenshot posted by the claimant was found. Thus, it shows that the headline was likely created using code manipulation.
Code manipulation could be used to change headline, stories, pictures and date of a news report on any website.
THE VERDICT
The claim that the Nigerian Presidency has approved the cessation of South eastern states is FALSE; the TikTok post was likely created using code manipulation.
