Banky W has commented on the incidents which has happened in the United States and Nigeria in the last few days.

The singer stated that everyone is almost getting numb to news of people being killed every day in the country.

Banky W also pointed out that while it is white cops killing unarmed black people in the United States, there is genocide and tribalism in Nigeria where we share the same colour. The singer averred that the killings recorded in Jos and Kaduna is fueled by hatred.

He urged everyone to volunteer and be part of putting some good back in this world.

He wrote;

Bad news everywhere, all the time. It’s exhausting. My only suggestion: please try and DO something to make your part of the world a little better. Be part of SOMETHING GOOD that is bigger than yourself. Volunteer, donate, serve. Do something. Anything. Please.

So much darkness. So much violence and hatred. We’ve heard of people being killed so much, we’ve become numb to it. Different day, different victims, same story, same hashtags. “Thoughts and Prayers for… (insert victim or city name here). #BlackLivesMatter #RIPGeorgeFloyd

This world is exhausting. In America, it’s racism – white cops killing unarmed black people. In Nigeria, where we share the same skin colour, it’s tribalism & genocide. Every other week there’s another story of mass murder; Kaduna today, Jos tomorrow. So much hatred. I am tired

#DontJustTweet Be a part of something that is bigger than yourself.. something that means more than your personal chase for success. Volunteer/Donate/Serve… somewhere/someone/anywhere/anyone in need. Play your part in putting some good back in this world. Tweets are not enough.

Rising talented singer, Laime releases a brand new song titled “Higher Vibration“. This smashing tune will impressive at first play. Pure Afrobeat vibe infuesd with the mid pop sound.

“This song, “Higher Vibrations” came to me at a very difficult period in my life. I had just lost someone very special to me and I hadn’t recorded music for months. I was under pressure from my label, family and friends to deliver and nothing seemed to be going right. The producer Telz was working on the instrumental for another artists but as soon as I heard it there was suddenly a warmth in my life. Recording the song was easy, the hard part was letting my emotions out.

I want this song to do to everyone what it did to me – bringing out positive higher vibrations from your soul to lift the body and spirit“…. from Laime With Love

Producer: Telz
Mix & mastered: Timijay
Executive Producer: RNO ENT

Listen, Enjoy and share below

DOWNLOAD MP3

Connect with Laime on Social media: @ LAIMEONLY

The post Laime – “Higher Vibrations” appeared first on tooXclusive.

Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, has said that Nigerians are ‘glad’ the president ‘came our way’, Igbere TV reports.

In his usual Friday article tagged ‘From the Inside’ posted on Facebook, Mr Adesina wrote in commemoration of the administration’s first year of second term.

He wrote: “Can anybody, no matter how he or she feels, wish away those millions and millions of voters? Not by any stretch of the imagination. Over the hills and the valleys, in clement and inclement weather, they trooped out to vote for the man they loved. And as he marks five years in office today, we are glad he came our way. ‘We?’ Yes, ‘we.’ We are in millions upon millions, even more than went out to vote, as there are many quiet disciples, who didn’t vote, or who didn’t even register to vote.

“President Buhari completes the first year of a second four-year term today. And despite it all, in spite of all the challenges; insecurity, poor economy, deliberate sabotage, poor health at a time, evil wishes from some quarters, foul language, and all sorts, we are glad he is here.

“When he rode triumphantly to power in 2015, the average Nigerian was tired of the state of the country. Massive looting of the treasury by the party in government, and no one was being called to order, because there was no moral will to do it. Terrible insecurity in the country, with at least 17 local governments already annexed in the North-east of the country by insurgents. They had planted flags of a funny type of caliphate, and were sitting in palaces of the emirs, who had shown clean pairs of heels.”

Adesina said that although another recession lurks because of the economy hit by the coronavirus pandemic, “we are still happy Buhari came.”

He added: “I say it again. We’re glad this President came our way. In the height of global health and economic challenges, with revenues already abysmally low, government continues to do the needful. A directive has been given to fund the first phase of the Presidential Power Initiative, being done in collaboration with Siemens of Germany. Work on the Second Niger Bridge is not stalled, road projects are to restart as the economy reopens gradually, and salaries and pensions are being paid. Promise made, and promise being kept.

“We need to count our blessings as a country, instead of dwelling on things that have not been done.”

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PentHauze presents Cheque’s latest single – “Satisfied”.

Cheque – “Satisfied“… Following the announcement by Phyno about a year ago, subsequent feature ‘Recognize’ and release of his impressive verse in ‘Warlords’ by Olamide, exciting and emerging Nigerian rapper CHEQUE is back with his first single of 2020 titled ‘SATISFIED‘, a syrupy and hit potential record released via Penthauze Records imprint.

Born Akanbi Bamidele Brett, Cheque was known as ‘Kyle B’ until his signing to Penthauze Records in February 2019 where he has contributed to hits like ‘Nyem Space,’ as well as his acclaimed solo debut tracks on the label – “Jeka soro”, “Pain Away” and “Abundance”. Cheque is a super talented Nigerian singer, rapper and Chemical Engineering graduate that hails from Ondo State, Nigeria with music influeces evidently from diverse genres of both local and international artists.

Produced by Masterkraft, his new single ‘Satisfied’ sees Cheque in his glorious form as a versatile musician. He waxes lyrical about deserving satisfaction from the opposite gender, using his smooth delivery and catchy flow to great effect. His delivery on the Swaps-mixed ‘Satisfied’ shows unforgettable cadence, right until he brings the track to the perfect crescendo.

‘Satisfied‘ is a superb Afropop number. Check on it.

DOWNLOAD MP3

Watch the Lyrics video below

CONNECT WITH CHEQUE:
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/superboycheque
Twitter: http://Twitter.com/superboycheque

The post Phyno Presents: Cheque – “Satisfied” appeared first on tooXclusive.

Emmanuel Ononiwu

Abia State Government has released photos of the man who absconded from a holding facility in the state after testing positive for COVID-19.

Emmanuel Ononiwu escaped from a holding facility in Aba just before he was to be moved to an isolation centre. He switched off his phone afterwards and also his wife has remained unreachable despite calls for her to present herself for a test.

The Abia state government has now released photos of Ononiwu in a bid to recapture him and force him to go into isolation.

Sharing photos of the COVID-19 patient, the Abia state government wrote: "Wanted Person: Emmanuel Ononiwu. These are file pictures of Emmanuel Ononiwu who was declared wanted by Abia State Government after he tested positive to COVID-19 and absconded from a holding center in Aba prior to being moved into isolation.

"He is a generator mechanic, uses a Mercedes V-Boot car, previously used a Mercedes 190 brand and is believed to be from Ikeduru LGA of Imo State but resident in Aba.

"If seen, please call 0700 2242 362 and do not approach him physically without adequate protection to avoid being infected with COVID-19.

"All enforcement units at the borders and security checkpoints are hereby notified to be on the look out for him as there are indications he is planning to flee the state."

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Nigeria’s information minister has said the country is yet to receive ventilators promised by US President Donald Trump in April.

Lai Mohammed has denied Mr Trump’s remarks made last week that he had sent 1,000 ventilators to the West African country.

Mr Mohammed said that if the consignment had arrived, it would be announced publicly.

President Trump made the promise during a telephone call with President Muhammadu Buhari on 28 April.

He said the US was committed to helping Nigeria’s response to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Last week, during a tour of the Ford motor plant in Michigan, Mr Trump said the US had just sent 1,000 ventilators to Nigeria.

Nigeria has so far recorded 8,915 coronavirus cases, including 259 deaths.

Multi Talented Artiste MaxiMoney, Dishes Out Yet Another Afro RnB tune tagged “Calling”, an instant hit at the very first listen.

Having wowed to his fans and music lovers with his versatile talent and extremely unique style of music on his CONFIRM EP, @_MaxiMoney came through on “CALLING” with a total different and dynamic delivery

“Calling” was produced by @OfficialGeniuz who worked with MaxiMoney on his debut EP..

Download, Listen & Watch Below:-

DOWNLOAD

The video, shot and directed in Nigeria by @ConfyX_Visuals who further adds a feather to the already glowing cap of MaxiMoney.

Watch and Enjoy the music video accompanied with the new song below

The post [Audio + Video] MaxiMoney – “Calling” appeared first on tooXclusive.

Kylie Jenner has fired back at Forbes Magazine over a report which stripped her of her billionaire status and also accused her of lying about her cosmetic company’s earnings.

We reported earlier that the bombshell publication alleged that Kylie’s team forged financial documents to secure her billionaire status. The American business magazine recalculated her net worth at just under $900 million, a year after being crowned Forbes’ youngest self-made billionaire.

Reacting to the allegation raised in the report, the 22-year-old mother of one said she can “name a list of 100 things more important right now than fixating on how much money she has”.

She tweeted;

What am i even waking up to. i thought this was a reputable site.. all i see are a number of inaccurate statements and unproven assumptions lol. i’ve never asked for any title or tried to lie my way there EVER. period

“even creating tax returns that were likely forged” that’s your proof? so you just THOUGHT they were forged? like actually what am i reading.

but okay i am blessed beyond my years, i have a beautiful daughter, and a successful business and i’m doing perfectly fine.

i can name a list of 100 things more important right now than fixating on how much money i have

And when a follower asked if “this is what you’re worried about right now,” Kylie responded by writing “This is literally the LAST Thing I’m worried about right now”.

President Donald Trump announced Friday that the United States will cut ties with the World Health Organization.

“China has total control over the World Health Organization despite only paying $40 million per year compared to what the United States has been paying, which is approximately $450 million a year,” Trump said during a news conference in the White House Rose Garden.

“The world needs answers from China on the virus. We must have transparency. Why is it that China shut off infected people from Wuhan to all other parts of China?” he added. “It didn’t go to Beijing, it went nowhere else, but they allowed them to freely travel throughout the world, including Europe and the United States.”

He says all funds will now be redirected to other global public health needs.

”Because they have failed to make the requested and greatly needed reforms, we will be today terminating our relationship with the World Health Organization and redirecting those funds to other worldwide and deserving urgent global public health needs. The Woeld needs answers from China on the virus” he said

Watch the video below;

Trump has repeatedly criticized the WHO’s response to the coronavirus, which has hit the U.S. worse than any other country, amid scrutiny of his own administration’s response to the pandemic.

He has claimed the WHO is “China-centric” and blames the agency for advising against China travel bans early in the outbreak.

“Fortunately, I was not convinced and suspended travel from China saving untold numbers of lives,” Trump said April 14.

Source: CNBC

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Former President Barack Obama has put out a statement on George Floyd, a black man who died after being pinned down by police in Minneapolis.

Obama, 58, released a statement via his Twitter page, saying it “cannot be normal” in 2020 and urged the Minnesota authorities to ‘ensure that the circumstances surrounding George Floyd’s death are investigated thoroughly’.

Obama, U.S. first black president, added: “This shouldn’t be ‘normal’ in 2020 America. It can’t be normal. If we want our children to grow up in a nation that lives to its highest ideals, we can and must do better.

“It was fall mainly on the officials of Minnesota to ensure that the circumstances surrounding George Floyd’s death is investigated thoroughly and that justice is ultimately done.

“But it falls on all of us, regardless of our race or station – including the majority of men and women in law enforcement who take pride in doing their tough job the right way, every day – to work together to create a “new normal” in which the legacy of bigotry and unequal treatment no longer infects our institutions or our hearts.”

“It’s natural to wish for life “to just get back to normal” as a pandemic and economic crisis upend everything around us,” he said.

“But we have to remember that for millions of Americans, being treated differently on account of race is tragically, painfully and maddeningly “normal” – whether it’s while dealing with the healthcare system, or interacting with the criminal justice system, or jogging down the street, or just watching birds in a park.”

My statement on the death of George Floyd: pic.twitter.com/Hg1k9JHT6R

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 29, 2020

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The General Court Martial (GCM) sitting in Abuja has jailed six Nigerian Air Force (NAF) personnel who were aides to the former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Late Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh.

NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

Daramola said the six NAF personnel, who were standing trial for various offences were Sqn Ldr Tom Gwani, Flight Sergeant Amu David, Flight Sergeant Philemon Degema, Flight Sergeant Sabo Simon, Sergeant Mukhtar Abdullahi and Sergeant Alfred Alexander.

He said the charges included failure to perform military duties by absconding from the convoy of the deceased former CDS while it came under attack as well as Conduct to the Prejudice of Service Discipline, for giving false statements.

“The charges against the accused also included other Civil Offences of Criminal Conspiracy and Miscellaneous Offences Relating to Property, for illegally disposing of 79 rounds of 5.56mm live ammunition issued for the protection of the late CDS, among others.

“On the count of Aiding and Abetting, 2 of the personnel were found not guilty, while the other 4 personnel who were detailed to provide armed escort were handed various sentences.

“While pleading in mitigation, the Defence Counsels urged the Court to show leniency, describing the accused persons as first time offenders,” he said.

Daramola said the GCM President, Air Commodore David Aluku, delivering his judgement, pronounced the six accused personnel guilty of the charges.

He said the sentences were announced as being subject to confirmation by the appropriate superior authority.

Daramola said four of the personnel were detailed to provide armed escort for Badeh, while two others were detailed for guard duty at his house when the late CDS was killed on December 18, 2018.

Badeh was ambushed and murdered by gunmen on his way from his farm along Gitata-Keffi Highway in Nasarawa State.

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IPOB members

This year’s ‘Biafra Day’ is being commemorated low-key as Nigeria grapples with restrictions put in place to curb the coronavirus pandemic which has spread to all but one state in the West African country.

The event is marked every May 30 mostly by pro-Biafra sympathisers and many Igbos in remembrance of the brutal civil war which ended exactly 50 years ago after claiming millions of lives.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a separatist group calling for an independent Biafran country, has led protest march and rallies to mark the civil war. But this has often resulted in violent confrontations between them and security agencies over the past few years.

At least 150 peaceful pro-Biafra protesters were killed between August 2015 and August 2016 as Nigerian security forces embarked on – what Amnesty International described as – a chilling campaign of extrajudicial executions and violence in the Southeast.

During the 2017 Biafra Remembrance Day march, at least 60 people were killed as hundreds of protesters clashed with security forces across the Southeast region, according to Amnesty International.

IPOB resorted to sit-at-home protests the following years of ‘Biafra Remembrance Day,’ especially in the memory of pro-Biafra activists killed by security agencies over the years.

In 2018, the group called for the closure of all markets within “Biafran territory”, and a halt of all vehicular movements in the area from 12 a.m. on May 29 till midnight of May 30.

The order was overwhelming observed that year but partially adhered to in 2019.

Following lockdowns already in place against the coronavirus which has affected the Nigerian economy, the separatist group said it has replaced the sit-at-home order with a three-day fasting and prayer.

“There won’t be any sit-at-home or indoor protest or remembrance because our people have stayed much at home during the coronavirus lockdown. IPOB wouldn’t like to bother the people with another lockdown in form of sit-at-home”, Emma Power, IPOB media secretary said in a statement on Thursday.

“After much consideration and deliberations, IPOB high command, therefore, urges Biafrans both at home and in the diaspora to observe this year’s remembrance day with fasting and prayers.

“The programme for this year’s event will last for three days from May 27 to 30, 2020.

“This year’s episode and the event will start with prayers and end with prayers. There will also be a candle processions at every state, local government area, ward, and the church in our land.”

The Biafran Civil War

The Nigerian Civil War, better known as the Biafra war (July 6, 1967 – January 15, 1970), was a war fought between the government of Nigeria and the secessionist state of Biafra. Immediate causes of the war in 1966 included a military coup, a counter-coup, and persecution of Igbos living in Northern Nigeria.

Ultimately, it led to the declaration of a sovereign state of Biafra by the then 33-year-old military officer, Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu at the helm in 1967.

In reaction, the Nigerian government declared war and after 30 months of fighting, Biafra surrendered. On January 15, 1970, the conflict officially ended.

The government’s policy of “no victor, no vanquished” may have led to a lack of official reflection, but many Nigerians of Igbo origin grew up on stories from people who lived through the war.

The government has often been condemned for not prioritizing the preservation of the historic event like other countries such as Rwanda and the U.S. who have also fought civil wars.

There is no date marked in the Nigerian calendar for the remembrance of the civil war and no cenotaph was built in remembrance of any of those who died.

These and many other perceived marginalisation fueled agitations from the Nnamdi Kanu-led IPOB that is at the vanguard of the call for the independent Biafra Republic from the Nigerian state through a referendum.

Other Activities to mark Biafra Day

Meanwhile, there are some other activities lined up for the remembrance event.

Human Rights activist and former Executive Chairman of National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu is among Igbo leaders expected to speak, online, on Saturday, as part of 53rd anniversary of Biafra.

Other speakers include Social Scientist and founder of Enugu Center for Memories, Patrick Okigbo III; Nicholas Omenka, visiting Professor of History, Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu; Ifeoma Ezedinachi, lecturer, Department of History and International Studies, Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu; and Nana Nwachukwu, knowledge management advisor, DFID.

The BBC is also organizing a live panel session by 12 p.m. to mark the event. Those to speak are Onyeka Onwenu, singer and human rights activist; Nnia Nwodo, President of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization; and Tony Nnadi.

Biafra war timeline compiled by the BBC

January 1966 – Nigerian government was overthrown in what was seen as an “Igbo coup” led by junior army officers

January 1966 – Lt Col Odumegwu-Ojukwu appointed the military governor of Eastern Region

July 1966 – Second coup masterminded by Murtala Muhammed, Lt Col Yakubu Gowon becomes head of state

June to October 1966 – Riots in northern Nigeria targeted at Igbos, killing many and forcing up to a million to return to south-eastern Nigeria

May 1967 – Ojukwu declares the independence of the Republic of Biafra
July 1967 – War begins

October 1967 – Biafran capital Enugu falls

May 1968 – Nigeria captures oil-rich Port Harcourt

April 1969 – Umuahia, new Biafran capital falls to Nigerian forces

January 1970 – Ojukwu flees Nigeria

January 1970 – Biafra surrenders

***

Via PREMIUM TIMES

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Hardcore Marlians allover Nigeria and beyond are celebrating May 30, #MarliansDay in grand style.

Recall that Naira Marley revealed on his birthday that there would a big celebration on May 30, Marlians’ Day.

May 30 was declared Marlians’ Day to commemorate the day he was released from prison.

Prominent among hardcore Marlians who celebrated today are; President Naira Marley himself, DJ Cuppy, Lil Kesh and others diehard fans.

Taking to his official page today, Naira tweeted to wish his fans a happy Marlians’ Day.

DJ Cuppy who headlined the entire celebration took to Instagram to rock her #MarliansDay customized jacket.

Watch Dj Cuppy celebrating #MarliansDay below;

Below is how other Marlians celebrated #MarliansDay today;

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No fewer than 268 Nigerians evacuated from China have arrived in Abuja.

The flight that conveyed the evacuees landed at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport on Saturday afternoon.

This was disclosed by the Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa via a tweet.

Dabiri-Erewa said the returnees would proceed on compulsory 14 days quarantine as stipulated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control.

Some of the nationals had faced serial racial discriminations in Guangzhou, China, from provincial officials.

They were reportedly evicted from their apartments and hotels following their alleged refusal to go for the mandatory quarantine imposed by the Guangdong Provincial authorities sequel to the outbreak of coronavirus.

Recall that a video of a woman with two children who were staying on the streets was shared by some Nigerians.

In the footage, the unidentified woman was feeding her infant daughter as the older second child slept in a baby walker; she was allegedly evicted from her apartment.

Reacting to the incident, the Chinese authorities said they subsequently provided free hotel accommodations for 207 Nigerians.

The government said the beneficiaries included Nigerians who were evicted from their hotels and apartments by officials in the wake of the compulsory quarantine and testing of foreigners for coronavirus by the Guangzhou Municipal Authorities.

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Africa has counted 5,017 new confirmed cases of Covid-19.

This has pushed the number of positive cases to 135,292 as of May 30.

This update was contained in the latest tweet by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

The Continent has also recorded additional 1,520 recoveries from the infection increasing the count to 56,416, says the Africa CDC.

However, the Covid-19 death toll has risen by 122, bringing the total to 3,922.

“#COVID19 update in Africa (As of 30 May 2020, 9 am East Africa Time) 54 African Union Member States reporting 135,292 cases, 3,922 deaths, and 56,416 recoveries, ” the AfrivaCDC tweeted.

A Nigerian couple has told BBC OS that the coronavirus restrictions have been wonderful for their marriage.

Yinka, who lives with his wife Desola in the main city of Lagos, says it all comes down to time:

My wife is a professional that works from nine to five – and because of traffic in Lagos sometimes we only see each other around 10pm.

We hardly see each other except on the weekend – and the weekend most times is occupied with different activities.

But with the lockdown we are able to bond together. We are able to see the softer part of ourselves.

Basically the lockdown seems more like a honeymoon without a honeymoon.”

The Federal Government has pushed the battle to contain Coronavirus to states and communities, Chairman of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on the pandemic, Mr. Boss Mustapha, said on Sunday.

According to him, the Federal Government will henceforth only provide supervision and coordination.

Mustapha, the secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), spoke on Sunday at the State House after members of the PTF briefed President Muhammadu Buhari and discussed their recommendations on the next phase of the battle.

With him at the briefing were Minister of Health Dr. Osagie Ehanire; National Coordinator of the PTF Dr. Sani Aliyu; Director-General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Dr. Chikwe Ihekwaezu, and Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola.

Mustapha said: “The ownership of the next stage will be the responsibility of the states because we have gone into community transmission.

”Where are the communities? The communities are in the states. So, the ownership of the next stage will be the responsibility of the states, the local government, the traditional institutions, the religious leaders at the different levels of our communities, because that is where the problem is.

”Like we’ve kept saying, 20 local governments out of 774, account for 60 per cent of confirmed cases in Nigeria today. So where are these 20 local governments? They are in communities. It means we have reached the apex of community transmission and we must get the communities involved.

”So, the issues of places of worship, the issues of schools, the issues of some certain businesses that were not opened hitherto are part of the packages that we have looked at and we have made the appropriate recommendations, but you know that Mr President is the only one that can take decisions in respect of these.

”In the framework, the states are subnationals, they have their own responsibilities too, so it is in the exercise of those responsibilities that they had meetings with those religious bodies and agreed on the guidelines and protocols on how they can open up, but in the framework of the national response, we are taking that into consideration”, he said.

According to him, Nigeria had reached the critical stage of community transmission, adding that communities were under the supervision of the council areas, under which structure the communities fall.

He said there would also be the full involvement of traditional and religious institutions, adding that managing the health crisis at this point had melted down into the more complex community level.

The PTF chairman said the advice on the reopening of the economy and worship centres had been delivered to President Muhammadu Buhari who will take the decision likely to be communicated to Nigerians today.

The Nation

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DEALING WITH HATE SPEECH AND FAKE NEWS

Lecture presented at the iMedia Virtual Conference of the Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (OMPAN), Imo State Chapter;

By: Emeh James Anyalekwa
OMPAN National President
Date: Sunday, May 31, 2020
__________________________________
Introduction:
In an era where information spreads amazingly fast, one of the resultant effects is people craving to play frontline role in dissemination of information, in manners suggestive of some sort of gains in being the “first to publish” the news. Consequently, a lot of what is churned out is alarming, and it has become a norm overtime to mislead people and contradict stories with ‘catchy headlines.’ While some of these information put out there are a result of shallow research and ignorance, some others are deliberate, with the author meaning to misinform and mislead people, and to spark-off emotional responses.

What does this mean for journalists and media practitioners?
Journalists play a key role in the dissemination of correct information, and information literacy for citizens. However, with the emergence of improved information and communication technologies, comes also faster and wider spread of negative information. This is a challenge, not just for media practitioners, but the society at large. It is, therefore, imperative that journalists upgrade their fact-checking skills, using appropriate technologies and strategies, if they have to occupy frontline in the war against “fake news” and “hate speech.”

What can we do to prevent hate speech?
One of the ways we can fight hate speech is by speaking up. The more we can undermine hate speech with loving words, logical arguments, and truth-telling, the more that hate speech will begin to lose its power.
Another method that can combat hate speech is education. When it comes to bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and hate crimes, the more people are educated on these issues, the more we can prevent them in the future.
Hate speech/fake news presents a major challenge to today’s journalism. Therefore, everyone has a responsibility to combat the scourge of fake news in the media. This ranges from the promotion of strong norms on professional journalism, supporting investigative journalism, reducing financial incentives for fake news, and improving digital literacy among the general public.
On social media, report to Facebook or Twitter to remove any messages in which people are attacked on the basis of their race, religion or ethnicity. If it is an open-group, ask the administrator or moderator to remove hateful comments or fake news with a warning to the creator.

What else can you do?
React to the hate speech. Even if you are not personally the victim of hate speech, you can do something about it. For example, you can make it clear that you do not agree with a post or status update.

The following tips may be helpful:
1 Do not target the author, but rather the content of the statement;
2 Refute false claims where possible with facts. Refer to reliable sources;
3 Express your disbelief and displeasure, but do not get involved in pointless arguments and insults;
4 Be aware that certain messages are published with the intention to provoke. So don’t get carried away and be provoked.

How to spot and deal with fake news / hate speech
Separating fact from fiction accurately can seem daunting. Keeping oneself up-to-date on what happens in the world is essential for both professional and private reasons. Some listen to the radio, others read newspapers or visit some blogs. Regardless of the source, it is not always easy to tell right from wrong. However, with a few simple precautionary measures, one can easily stay informed while recognising suspicious media content.

1. Develop a Critical Mindset.
One of the main reasons fake news is such a big issue is that it is often believable, which means it’s easy to get caught out. Many fake news stories are also written to create shock value. This means it’s essential that you keep your emotional response to such stories in check. Approach what you see and hear rationally and critically.
Ask yourself, “Why has this story been written? Is it to persuade me of a certain viewpoint? Is it selling me a particular product? Or is it trying to get me to click through to another website?”

2. Check the Source & Author
If you come across a story from a source that you have never heard of before, do some digging! Find out a bit more about the publisher – is it a professional and well-known news agency or is it someone’s personal blog? Is the author a media professional, a public figure or a well-known expert in his/her domain? Is the author citing his/her sources? If sources are absent, it would be useful to cross-check the information with other sources to verify its veracity.
Investigate the source of the page, unusual URLs, site names, or social media profiles try to look like legitimate news or information sites but are not. Check what the web says about the source against what they say about themselves.
Strange-sounding URLs that end in extensions like “.infonet” and “.offer,” rather than “.com” or “.org,” or that contain spelling errors, may mean that the source is suspect.
If the information is something that you have been told by another person, consider his reputation and professional experience. Is he known for his expertise on the matter? Or does he tend to exaggerate the truth?

3. See Who Else Is Reporting the Story
Check whether the story has been picked up by other well-known news publishers. Rather than relying where you first saw the information, go out and fetch same information from a higher quality source. If the information seems true, but a credible mainstream source hasn’t reported it, dig deeper. When it comes to World news, stories from organizations like CNN and BBC, will have been checked and verified beforehand. If the information you have isn’t from a well-known source, there’s a chance that it could be fake.
However, you need to be careful even here. People who spread fake news and “alternative facts” sometimes create web pages, newspaper mockups, or “doctored” images that look official, but are not.
So, if you see a suspicious post or image that looks like it’s from CNN, for example, check CNN’s homepage to verify that it’s really there.

4. Check for Publication date, bad English and Clickbaits
Is the story relevant up-to-date? Does the date of publishing support the date/period of the event?
Credible authors make less repeated spelling and grammatical mistakes. Check for headline grammar error or typo, avoid news in all-caps and exclamation marks.
Beware of articles that compulsorily encourages you to click or share a hyperlinked text, image or video, or sparks off an extreme reaction in you.

5. Examine the Evidence
A credible news story will include quotes from source (which is sometimes, “unnamed”). If these are missing or the source (if “named”) is an unknown expert, question it! But have it at the back of your mind that some quotes can sometimes be “twisted” to back up a particular viewpoint.

6. Look for Fake Images or File Photo
Modern editing software has made it easy for people to create fake images that look professional and real. Some publishers equally pick file photo and make it look as if the story is new and recent. Use tools such as “Google Reverse Image Search” (https://images.google.com) to check if that particular image had been altered, or had appeared in older stories.

7. Check That It “Sounds Right”
Use your common sense! If a story sounds unbelievable, it probably is. Bear in mind that fake news is designed to “feed” your biases or fears. And, remember, just because a story sounds “right” and true, doesn’t mean that it is.
For example, it is unlikely that your favorite phone maker or network provider is giving away a million free phones or airtime to people who turn up to a suspecting website.

Conclusively, as “hate speech” and “fake news” continue to threaten the peace, unity and corporate existence of the world and Nigerians in particular, I believe that if more journalists and bloggers were made to realize the possible consequences of these things, they would have acted better; they would have been more critical. Since hate speech and fake news are spread through the media, public trust in the media is negatively affected, thus the high level of public distrust and scepticism of the media.

We must recognise that hate speech can harm individuals, communities and societies. Targets of hate speech can experience negative emotional, mental, and physical consequences. These can include low self-worth, anxiety, fear for their lives, depression and even self-harm or suicide. Hate speech harms everyone. They are designed to inflame our emotions and prevent us from evaluating the truth or falsity of the claim.

There is no cure for hate speech, but there is a way to stand up against it. Speak out against hate speech – fight racism and bigotry with love, empathy, compassion, and strength. We may not be able to eliminate hatred entirely, but the more steps we can take to educate and support human beings, and speak out against injustice, the better this world will become – bearing in mind that hate speech (including name-calling, racist comments, hateful phrases) is a precursor or even a prerequisite for violence.

Thank you for your attention.

Useful Links:
Fact Checking sites for fake news
Factcheck.afp.com
Africacheck.org
Factcheck.org
Snopes.com

Info on Site Domains
Whois.net
Domainbigdata.com

Images originality
https://images.google.com/
https://tineye.com/
https://www.duplichecker.com/reverse-image-search.php
Exifdata.com

Videos
Invid-project.eu

Example of Fake News

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A Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere sentenced a former Exxon Mobil engineer to 15 years imprisonment today, June 1, 2020.

James Onuoha was sentenced to 15 years jail term without an option of fine after he was found guilty of raping his tenant’s niece, who was 14 years old at the time.

The incident happened on January 4, 2016, and caused outrage at the time, with a number of celebrities lending their voice to call for justice.

At the last adjourned date, on January 14, 2020, the court adjourned the case until March 25, for judgment, after the parties adopted their final written addresses.

However, the judgment could not be delivered on March 25 due to lockdown resulting from the COVID- 19 pandemic.

At the resumed hearing of the matter, Justice Adedayo Akintoye delivered judgement on  Onuoha.

Before handing down the verdict, the convict’s counsel, Dr Victor Olowonla, in his allocutus, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy as he was a first time offender.

Onuoha was first arraigned in January 2016 at the Magistrates’ Court on a four-count charge of defilement.

Onuoha was remanded in Kirikiri correctional centre pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Following his indictment by the DPP, the case was transferred to the high court for trial.

The state government accused Onuoha of committing the alleged offences on January 4, 2016, at 11:30 a.m., at 25, Samuel Amoore Street, Idowu Estate, Ike-Ira Nla, Ajah, Lagos.

The prosecution led by Dr. Jide Martins said the defendant willfully had an unlawful sexual act with the teenager without her consent.

He said the offences contravened Sections 134 (2), 135 (1), and is punishable under Sections 137 and 258 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

Onuoha, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.?

Davido has been pictured using crutches after he fractured his left leg.

His lawyer, Bobo F. Ajudua shared photos of the singer grappling with crutches while wearing a medical walking boot for broken foot.

He wrote in his caption: ‘How some people chose to enter June. Nawa. At some point yesterday we were literally thanking God there are no shows right now. Get well soon bro @davidoofficial.’

See more photos below.