Niger NUJ Raises Concern Over Increase Content Creators Spreading Fake News

By YM Bina and

Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Niger state Council, Dr Abu Nmodu has raised concern over the recent proliferations of content creators claiming to be Journalists across the state, accusing them of spreading fake news on the social media.

He made this known at the training workshop for local government information officers and media aides with the theme: “Effective Communication for a Stronger Local Government and a Greater Niger State”

organised by the Niger State council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), in collaboration with Niger State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Minna.

According to him “most of the news from LGAs are either misinformation or disinformation because they are from non professionals; whereas we have so many Information officers who can give us verified information.

“I want to urge the state and local governments to stop working with content creators because they are impersonating the professionals who are trained co Journalists.

Dr Abu Nmadu explained that the training for media aides and information officers was to set the right agenda for the society, he stated that it is very sad that information officers are no longer available to ditch out the right information from their various beats and LGAs

“Information officers must be up and doing so that we do not give content creators the space to feed us with lies but try as much as possible to liaise with other journalists so that we can interface regularly to breach the gap in the profession”.

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Obed Nuhu Nana emphasized the importance of LGA information officers adding that the LGA Chairmen should prioritise information and liaise with the State Ministry of Information and Orientation.

Obed Nana however charged the information officers to distinguish themselves by being productive and assertive and then acquire the prerequisite qualifications to function effectively and efficiently.

In his remarks, National President, Association of Information Officers of Nigeria, Jibril Bisalla Suleja charged the officers to work closely with their principals so as to project their activities regularly.

The training workshop provided three presentations from desperate paper presenters on different topics to includes: “Building Core Competences of Information Officers for Effective Communication of the New Niger Transformative Initiative” by Dr Ternege Ende representated by Dr Andrew Engene of IBBU Lapai,.

Also “Repositioning Local Government Information Officers and Media Aides for Communication and Effective Media Relations Ahead of 2027 Elections” by Comrade Gambo Yusuf retired director and former NUJ chairman of Niger State council.

As well as the third topic was on “Strengthening the Capacity of Local Government Information Officers in Niger State for Strategic Image Creation and Management in the New Media Era” by the Director Niger state Ministry for Information and Orientation Malam Yunusa Abugi respectively.