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Tag: misinformation

  • NiMet Rejects N5 Trillion Loss Claims, Says Reports Are Baseless and Misleading

    NiMet Rejects N5 Trillion Loss Claims, Says Reports Are Baseless and Misleading

    The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has strongly dismissed reports alleging that Nigerian farmers lost about N5 trillion as a result of inaccurate weather forecasts, describing the claims as false, misleading and unsupported by credible evidence.

    In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, NiMet faulted publications by The Nation on February 2, 2026, and Daily Trust on February 3, 2026, which attributed the claim to the Foundation for Peace Professionals. The agency said the reports amounted to a deliberate attempt to misinform the public.

    The statement, signed by Rabiatu Lawal Ado, Acting Head of NiMet’s Public Relations Unit, said the alleged N5 trillion loss was not supported by any verifiable data, transparent methodology or independent assessment.

    “The alarmist claim that Nigerian farmers lost nearly N5 trillion in productive capital as a result of NiMet’s weather forecasts is entirely unfounded and economically irresponsible,” the agency stated.

    NiMet stressed that it has provided reliable weather and climate services in Nigeria for more than 140 years, supporting planning and decision-making across critical sectors of the economy, particularly agriculture.

    According to the agency, independent evaluations by development partners, the World Meteorological Organization, sector stakeholders and farmers nationwide indicate that NiMet’s forecast accuracy has improved significantly over time. The agency said its accuracy now exceeds the 60 per cent benchmark and has reached over 90 per cent in recent years.

    NiMet explained that its Seasonal Climate Predictions, early warning alerts and location-specific agro-advisories are designed to help farmers make informed decisions on planting dates, crop selection, irrigation planning and risk management.

    “These products are disseminated through state governments, agricultural extension services, traditional media platforms and digital channels to ensure wide reach and accessibility,” the agency noted.

    The meteorological agency also referenced the executive summary of the 2025 Wet Season Agricultural Performance Survey in Nigeria, conducted in collaboration with key institutions across the agricultural value chain. According to NiMet, the survey recorded increased crop yields and livestock production across the country.

    The findings showed improved output in major crops such as rice, maize, cowpea, yam, cassava and groundnut compared to 2024. The survey also indicated a reduction in food prices across all geopolitical zones, reflecting improved supply conditions and the impact of effective policy interventions.

    Reaffirming its commitment to national food security, climate resilience and sustainable agricultural development, NiMet said it would not be distracted by what it described as sensational narratives.

    The agency called on stakeholders, civil society organisations and the media to engage responsibly and ensure that public discourse is guided by facts, credible evidence and verified data.

  • Social Media Reports On Justices Nomination List, ‘Mischief-Making’, Says NJC 

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) has disowned reports credited to it in the social media that it was not aware or did not receive nomination list for Supreme Court vacancies from the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC).

    The Director of Information, Barrister Soji Oye, on Sunday, said that he never had discussion with anybody regarding receiving or not receiving the list of Justices nominees from the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC).

    He described the social media reports on the matter as deliberate handiwork of mischief -makers, insisting that reports on such matters are always by official press statement from the Council through his office.

    The NJC Spokesperson cautioned against unverified reports circulating on social media regarding Supreme Court nominations and the process being followed to fill vacancies on the bench.

    It will be recalled that there were reports stating that the FJSC released 22 names for NJC’s consideration to fill vacancies at the Apex Court bench. 

    The nomination reportedly includes regional distribution of candidates across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.

    According to the report, the nomination of Justices for the bench followed complaints in

    September that the Supreme Court was operating with only 10 out of its constitutional strength of 21 Justices.

    Based on the depletions of Justices due to retirement and deaths, it was reported that the FJSC subsequently submitted a shortlist to address the vacant positions.

    Oye warned the media, especially social media operators to always get their information from rightful sources so as not to mis-inform the general public on Supreme Court nominations and the process being followed to fill vacancies on the bench.

  • Gov Alia Wasn’t Stoned By Youths, Benue Govt Debunks Reports

    Gov Alia Wasn’t Stoned By Youths, Benue Govt Debunks Reports

    The Benue State government has denied allegations that youths threw objects at Governor Hyacinth Alia during his visit to Vaatia College in Makurdi. 

    Reports had emerged on Wednesday that youths stoned the governor while protesting over plans to bury their proprietor within the school premises in their community.

    The proprietor, Engr Vaatia, who died two days ago, was buried today.

    Sir Kula Tersoo, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, labeled the reports as untrue and aimed at tarnishing the governor’s image.

    Tersoo clarified that the governor’s purpose at Vaatia College was to address incidents of vandalism and theft, directing authorities to apprehend those responsible. 

    He emphasized that Governor Alia’s visit was uninterrupted, highlighting the governor’s track record of moving around the state without harassment.

    In urging media professionals to verify news sources before publication, Tersoo emphasized the need for accuracy and investigative reporting. 

    He condemned the “ill-intended” nature of the reports and stressed the importance of ensuring the truthfulness of news before dissemination.

  • CCLCA decries campaign of calumny against Gbajabiamila

    A civil society organization, Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness (CCLCA), has condemned a campaign of calumny again the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila from certain political actors who missed out on the ministerial and other lists.

    The group drew the attention of Nigerians to the acerbic attacks on the chief of staff to President.

    The group, coalition of 92 civil society organizations, through its Director General, Dr Gabriel Nwambu, decried that the political actors are hell bent on spreading falsehood against the Chief of Staff.

    According to him, they are blaming him for their inability to occupy appointive office at the moment, even though it is the president, acting in consultation with the leadership of the All Progressive Congress (APC), the Governors, and other key stakeholders in the polity, that appointed Ministers and Board Chairmen. 

    However, he stated that Nigerians are not buying the falsehood, and we have seen socio-cultural groups like Arewa Youth Forum and Ohaneze Youth Movement call on Nigerians to ignore the accusations thrown at Gbajabiamila over the constitution of boards of government agencies.

    He therefore, appealed to Nigerians to disregard the detractors, saying that the chief of staff is well experienced and capable of carrying out his duties.

    “This people do not care for the fact that positions came at the time destined, and that clearly, everybody cannot be a minister at same time.

    “Hon Gbajabiamila’s, antecedents as a public servant with a sterling record and a sticker for truth and fairness, and due process would entertain the absurdities ascribed to him for a second. 

    “As a Surulere, Lagos born politician cum technocrat, he comes to the present assignment fully qualified, having been in the house of Representatives for two decades (2003 – 2023), boasting record of unblemished service. 

    “Throughout his sojourn in public service, Hon Gbajabiamila has been a very close and loyal disciple of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Recall that as a speaker of the 9th assembly, it took his intervention to end the protracted and unending ASUU strike of the university lecturers. As the chief of staff, he had participated actively on resolving the disagreement between Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress”

    While passing a unanimous vote of confidence, the Director General of CCLCA, stated that President Tinubu, took into consideration Gbajabiamila’s track record and his commitment to the actualization the Renewed Hope Agenda.

    He further asked the political actors to cease the needles casting of aspersions and leave the chief of staff to do his job.