News
You Need to Know What Your Mother Is Sharing on Whatsapp, Don’t Mute Her
By Joel Popoola
To many Nigerians, WhatsApp is the internet. 85% of Nigeria’s 24 million internet users – over 17 million people – use the application to keep in touch with friends and family. Increasingly, it is their main source of news too.
Less affected by unreliable internet connections than other platforms and not needing users to create profiles or remember passwords, it’s particularly popular with older Nigerians. And having not grown up with the internet like younger generations, some users have yet to learn that they cannot trust everything they read.
Current “news” being shared on WhatsApp by well-meaning Nigerians includes Russian President Putin releasing lions onto the streets to enforce his country’s own coronavirus lockdown.
One Nigerian woman’s tweet about her mother placing an onion in the corner of every room to “absorb toxins” after being forwarded the “advice” from “the WhatsApp mother’s cult” was retweeted almost 50,000 times, with a worrying number of Nigerians admitting their mothers had done the same thing.
Some Nigerians have reported being so bored of their mothers sending them advice about which underpants apparently give you cancer that they are muting them.
This is the wrong thing to do.
Think about the COVID-19 crisis. Thanks to WhatsApp, some Nigerians are – as we speak – sharing a video of the coronavirus leaving the Earth in the form of a giant flying dragon.
It may sound silly, but we all know older people are the most at risk from the deadly disease. If they don’t take the necessary steps to keep themselves safe because they believe this crisis is over as COVID-19 has taken the form of an enormous winged reptile and flown off into space, this nonsense could even become a matter of life and death.
Another COVID-19 myth doing the rounds on African social media was the story of Chinese-owned businesses being destroyed across Nigeria. The video in question actually showed a street market in Ibadan on fire, but the video was viewed over a million times before Twitter removed it.
Younger generations of Nigerians are more digitally literate than their parents and grandparents. Instead of tuning out, they have a responsibility to educate and enlighten their relatives – as infuriating as it is.
Or, they could direct them to more reliable information.
I am the founder of the Digital Democracy project, created to use technology to bring people and politics closer together. One of our initiatives is the Rate Your Leader app. Using the free app, users are put in direct person-to-person contact with their local politicians. That way they can get information straight from the people who really know what they are talking about.
Of course, we are not so naive to believe that all politicians will give you good information.
America’s President Trump has recommended fighting the coronavirus by drinking bleach, whilst Tanzanian President John Magufuli has recommended inhaling steam to kill off the virus. Despite coming from world leaders both these pieces of information were wrong and potentially dangerous.
So this is where the rating comes in. If a politician gives out wrong information, voters can rate them badly. That way, their neighbours can objectively see if this source of information is a reliable one.
As our nation celebrates Democracy Day this week is it important not just to celebrate the restoration of democracy to Nigerian but to think about its future. A future where Nigeria is Africa’s first truly digital democracy.
For the first time in our nation’s history, digital technology gives everyone the same access to information, and literally puts it in the palm of their hand.
But this information must be the right information.
Information which comes unfiltered from our political leaders and institutions, delivered in the spirit of transparency and accountability, carries the watermark of credibility that no alternative source can match.
And if people publically endorse those sources of information, it creates a virtuous circle of improved trust in those leaders and institutions, and wider democratic engagement.
To some, this might sound a daunting challenge. But it is better than having your mother put an onion in the corner of every room.
Joel Popoola is a Nigerian tech entrepreneur, digital democracy campaigner and creator of the free Rate Your Leader app. Contact us via Joel@rateyourleader.com
The Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) has debunked reports about an ongoing recruitment in the Commission, saying it is not true.
The Public Relations Officer of the FCSC, Mr. Taiwo Hassan, quoting the Chairman Tunji Olaopa on Monday night, clarified that there is no fresh recruitment currently going on at the commission.
“The attention of the FCSC has been drawn to information making the rounds on various media platforms about advertised vacancies and recruitments in the commission.
“The commission unequivocally declares that the information containing the commission’s website and the name of the Director (Recruitment and Appointment) did not emanate from the commission.
“It is fictitious and should be disregarded,” Hassan said.
He warned members of the public to be wary of activities of fake recruitment syndicates and racketeers.
He said the commission would officially announce to the public on national dallies and through its website whenever such recruitment exercise commenced.
Nigeria has extended invitation to foreign investors with the assurance that the electricity sector is ripe for investment and transformative growth.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, extended the invite during his address at the African Energy Summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Speaking to a gathering of selected investors and development partners ahead of the Africa Heads of State Energy Summit, Edun noted the government’s commitment to achieving macroeconomic stability, advancing clean energy goals, and ensuring universal energy access.
He described Nigeria’s power sector as a pivotal area for investment and collaboration, aligning with the country’s broader energy transition goals under the “Mission 300” initiative.
A statement from the ministry said Edun detailed the Federal government’s focus on ensuring energy security while pursuing the global shift toward sustainable energy solutions. According to the minister, the Nigerian electricity sector offers vast opportunities for foreign and domestic investors. With a focus on clean energy transition and grid modernization, the government aims to increase the capacity and reliability of the power sector, unlocking its potential to drive economic growth.
Edun also informed the audience that President Bola Tinubu would personally participate in the summit, signifying Nigeria’s commitment to leading conversations on energy access and clean energy in Africa. The president’s attendance is expected to strengthen collaborative efforts among African nations, investors, and development partners toward achieving the continent’s energy and climate goals.
“Nigeria’s electricity sector is poised for transformative growth, and investors are invited to be a part of this exciting journey,” Edun said. He expressed optimism that Nigeria’s robust investment climate, supported by the government’s economic reforms, would attract global stakeholders to help drive progress in the energy sector.
“With one of the largest populations in Africa, Nigeria’s demand for reliable electricity continues to grow, presenting immense opportunities for investment. The federal government has already taken steps to reform the power sector, focusing on expanding access to renewable energy sources, encouraging private-sector participation, and ensuring regulatory stability to attract investors.
“As President Tinubu is set to join the discussions, Nigeria aims to build on its energy ambitions, securing investments that will empower its citizens, strengthen the economy, and contribute to Africa’s clean energy future,” he said.
Impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has described the corruption allegations against him as “fictitious and unsubstantiated”.
Speaking during a welcome rally at his residence in GRA, Ikeja on Saturday, Obasa maintained that he was not afraid of being impeached but emphasised that due process was not followed.
The former Speaker alleged that his removal was orchestrated while he was away, and accused the state commissioner of police of aiding the process.
He claimed security agents, led by the police commissioner, invaded the assembly complex and his homes in Agege and Ikeja, locking his family indoors with over 200 officers present.
Obasa dismissed allegations of misappropriation.
He mocked claims that a gate construction had cost N16 billion, saying, “Is it the wall of Jericho?”
He said: “I am not afraid of being removed, after all, it is not my father’s chieftaincy title. I am representing my people and they have returned me six times. If you want to do anything, do it well.
“They did the removal all because I was out of the country. Lagos is a special place, we cannot denigrate the state.
The former Speaker cited the case of the former speaker, Rt. Hon Jokotola Pelumi.
He said when Pelumi was removed, he was in the assembly and “we did not invite policemen.
“When my sister, former deputy speaker of the House, Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho was removed, we did not invite the police.”
Obasa said an innocent person should not be discredited, and there must be proof of allegations showing exactly what he has done.
“The Lagos State House of Assembly is above common standard of excellence.
“I appreciate the members of the governance advisory council and Governor Babajide Olusola Aanwo-Olu of the state. He is my brother and he always calls me his younger brother.”
Obasa was impeached on January 13 by more than two-thirds of the 40-member legislative house over alleged misconduct and sundry offences.
His Deputy, Mojisola Meranda, was immediately elected the new speaker, becoming the first female to take charge of the legislative body in the State.
