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FG Unveils Campaign against Fake News

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Alhaji Lai Mohammed, minister of Information and Culture, has launched a National Campaign Against Fake News, calling the phenomenon a time bomb that can detonate with deadly consequences if left unchecked.

 

Addressing a world press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the Minister also described fake news as a global epidemic that could be worse than all the plagues that the world has recorded put together, a clear and present danger to global peace and security, and a threat to democracy.

 

He said the fake news phenomenon is capable of undermining confidence in the media, adding: ”Once the people lose confidence in the media, the media and the society are in trouble.”

 

Alhaji Mohammed said the essence of the campaign is to ”sensitize all Nigerians to the dangers posed to the peace and security, and indeed the corporate existence of Nigeria by the phenomenon, and the fact that each and every Nigerian has a role to play in curtailing the spread of fake news”.

 

He explained that though the federal government has been calling national attention to the issue of fake news and hate speeches since last year, ”the timing of the launch is also not unconnected to the role of fake news in aggravating the various crises in the country as well as the need to check this phenomenon ahead of the 2019 elections.”

 

The Minister said the government will use all the information dissemination tools at its disposal, work with both the traditional and social media, as well as the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to sensitize Nigerians.

 

He said the campaign will, however, not involve the use of coercion and censorship, but appealed to the media to lead the campaign, and to Nigerians not to share any news or message unless they can vouch for its source and authenticity

 

Citing instances from around the world to illustrate the dangers posed by fake news, Alhaji Mohammed said a recent study by researchers at the Ohio State University in the US concluded that Russian interference and the fake news it promoted probably played a significant role in depressing Hilary Clinton’s support on election day during the 2016 presidential elections in the US.

 

He also said that in India, about a dozen people have been killed in the past six weeks just because of fake news or hoax messages, noting: ”The victims were lynched after they were falsely accused of child abduction based on fake messages circulated via the social media platform, WhatsApp.”

 

The Minister said that last week, a national newspaper in Nigeria reported on its front page that a court has ordered the National Assembly to begin impeachment of Buhari, which was not the case.

 

”The problem with that news item is that it is fake news. According to the certified true copy of the order, the Presiding Judge of the Federal High Court in Osogbo ordered and I quote: ‘The applicants are hereby granted leave to issue and bring an Application for the order of Mandamus to compel 1st to 3rd Respondents to start impeachment proceedings against the 4th Respondent, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria’. This was manipulated to read that the court has given the go-ahead for the National Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the President. Fake News,” he said

 

The launch, which was sponsored by the NTA, FRCN, and three newspapers – The Nation, Vanguard and Leadership – was attended by all the heads of the media parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), representatives of the security agencies, social media practitioners and journalists.


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Adeleke Describes Adenuga’s Contribution to African Economy as Unquantifiable

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Senator Ademola Adeleke, the Osun State Governor, has described the Chairman of Globacom, Dr. Mike Adenuga, Jr., as an icon who has made enormous contributions to the development of Nigeria and Africa.

Speaking when he received the Public Sector team from Globacom in his office at Osogbo recently, the governor also commended the positive impact the company has made in the telecoms industry in terms of innovation and pricing.

He described Dr Adenuga as a great believer in Nigeria “whose impact on the Nigerian and the African economy cannot be quantified”.

Adeleke assured the Globacom team led by Niyi Odejobi of his government’s readiness to explore areas of business partnership with the company. “Be rest assured that this partnership is already a reality. We just need to work out the details”, Senator Adeleke noted.

He urged telecommunications companies to strengthen ties with the state government, adding that “the subnational entities are where your market is. Even though the regulatory body is national, your market base remains the states and the local governments. You must deliberately prioritize partnership with the state government.

“The telecom community must understand that giving full support to the states in terms of payment of right taxes and corporate social responsibility is an investment in your market. The more robust the state governments are, the more buoyant your market will be,” the governor said.

In his own remarks, Odejobi pledged Globacom’s support for the growth and development of Osun State, adding that it would deploy various internet and digital infrastructure to promote governance and businesses in the state.


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Foodstuff Store introduces Innovative Recycling Program

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Foodstuff Store, an AgriTech company on Wednesday announced the introduction of its innovative recycling program. The expansion of the corporate mission to include waste management and recycling solutions underlines the company’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Foodstuff Store is providing a way by which their customers who are provided with wholesome and fresh food products directly from farmers can now dispose of their plastic wastes as an added service, thereby reducing their ecological footprint.

For every waste item delivered for recycling by customers, they’ll receive a credit that can be used for a next purchase at the Foodstuff Store.

Not only will this ensure a contribution to a cleaner environment, but it will also provide a way to incentivise their efforts towards adopting sustainability practices.

“We are thrilled to offer our customers a convenient way to recycle and contribute to a cleaner Nigeria and a cleaner planet,” says Diana Tenabe, Chief Operating Officer at Foodstuff Store. “By offering rewards for recycling, we hope to incentivize eco-conscious behavior within our communities in Nigeria.”

Nigeria faces a significant challenge with plastic pollution. The prevalence of single-use plastics, which is caused by widespread use of sachet water pouches, plastic shopping bags, and take-away containers, leads to massive waste generation. There are also recycling capacity challenges in Nigeria, where only a small percentage of plastic waste gets recycled.

Additionally, indiscriminate disposal of plastics and other waste materials contributes to overflowing landfills with plastics, clogged drainages that lead to flooding, and harming marine life.

Foodstuff Store believes that by working together with its customers, it can create a positive impact on the environment. This new program allows customers to enjoy the quality products and services they expect from Foodstuff Store, while also contributing to a more sustainable future.


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Edenlife Opens the first Homemade Outlet Store in Oniru, to open 49 more Across the Country 

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Homemade by Eden, the food retail business of Nigerian home concierge startup, Edenlife has marked a significant step towards National expansion with the launch of its first Outlet store in Oniru, Lagos State. This move signals the company’s commitment to bringing its signature homemade meals directly to consumers across the country.

Commenting on the launch of the Oniru Outlet, Nadayar Enegesi, CEO of Edenliife stated, ‘’At Eden Life, it’s in our DNA to adapt and meet the evolving needs of our consumers.

The new outlet store by Homemade exemplifies this commitment. These outlet stores will deliver delicious, home-cooked meals to its customers and create job opportunities in logistics and tech support, driving local economic growth.

By sourcing fresh ingredients from smaller Nigerian farms, we strengthen the agricultural sector and ensure a reliable supply chain. And there’s more to come we have plans to launch mobile kitchens in other strategic locations across the nation.

It’s a win-win situation – our customers enjoy a taste of home, we create jobs, empower local businesses, and contribute to a stronger Nigerian economy.’’

The establishment of these outlet stores translates to new job opportunities in logistics and potentially tech support for the mobile units. Additionally, the focus on fresh, local ingredients could encourage partnerships with smaller Nigerian farms, strengthening the agricultural sector and supporting local food production.

This localized approach to food delivery keeps money circulating within communities and fosters a more sustainable economic ecosystem.

Speaking at the launch event on Friday, May 10, 2024, Orafiri Adoki, Business Lead of Homemade stated that some of Nigeria’s food culture has not been fully explored.

She stated, “Nigeria has such a rich culture around food, which has not been explored to its maximum. So, with the launch of the Homemade outlet, we hope to introduce some of the meals Nigerians are used to at home while providing creative and innovative ways to enjoy these meals,” .

As Nigeria’s e-commerce sector continues to evolve, Eden Life’s innovative approach positions the company as a frontrunner in driving industry growth and reshaping consumer expectations. By providing a seamless omnichannel shopping experience, Edenliife not only captures market share but also cultivates meaningful connections with Nigerian consumers.

Nigeria’s e-commerce industry has been experiencing a boom in recent years, driven by factors like increasing internet penetration, smartphone adoption, and a growing young population. The e-commerce market in Nigeria is estimated to be around USD 8.53 billion in 2024.

It is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.82% during the forecast period (2024-2029), reaching approximately USD 14.92 billion by 2029. E-commerce is expected to continue its strong growth trajectory in Nigeria, presenting immense potential for e-commerce platforms like Edenlife to capitalize on the rising demand for convenient and affordable food options.


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