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Fake News Travels Faster on Social Media – NITDA DG, Kashifu laments
Nasiru Yusuf
The Director-General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi has lamented that fake news is travelling faster than factual stories on social media, thereby threatening the journalism profession.
KANO FOCUS reports that NITDA Boss made this known on Friday at the just concluded digital journalism workshop held for Journalists in Kano.
The workshop with the theme “Digital Journalism, Media Ethics and Responsible Reporting” was jointly organized by Image Merchants Promotion Limited, publishers of PRNigeria and the Penlight Centre for Investigative Reporting with the supports of NITDA.
Participants
“Today, courtesy of the internet and social media, fake news travels 15 times faster than the factual stories, which is a great threat to journalism. So training like these would help media professionals to help mitigate this threat.
“We at NITDA, have an ambitious target to achieve 95 percent digital literacy by 2030. We are going to work with journalists and other organisations to see how we can promote digital literacy because it is the greatest resource you can have to thrive and survive in the digital era.
“We are in the era of the knowledge-based economy – digital economy whereby what is underneath us doesn’t matter as what we know – the talent we have and the media has the greatest tool to help our country achieve that.
Speaking on cybersecurity in Nigeria, Kashifu said the government had put in place structures to protect the ecosystem under its strategic roadmap and action plans.
He said: “Cybersecurity is one of the strategic pillar under our strategic roadmap and action plan which is more about social engineering. So, we do three things. We do a lot of awareness so that people need to know the do and don’ts of social media. That’s what will hold them to protect confidential information.
“Secondly, we have a centre called the computer emergency readiness and response centre working round the clock to make sure we proactively protect our digital space. We help MDAs, private organisations and individuals to protect the data and information.”
Participants
He further revealed that the agency has people trying to get inside from what’s happening in the deep web and dark web all in an effort to proactively protect the country adding that a team of professionals are also on standby to help people restore their services in case their system is compromised.
Earlier, the IMPR boss, Yushau A. Shuaib, said the workshop was to acquaint journalists and social media influencers with the appropriate digital tools to promote professional standards and enhance their jobs.
Shuaib said over 100 journalists have benefitted from the 3-Days training that was hosted in Abuja, Kwara and Kano States. He added that some of the topics at the workshop included: Digital Journalism for tackling Fake News Menace; Media Ethics and Responsible Reporting, Open Source Intelligence Tools (OSINT), Media Monitoring and Search Engine Optimization, Self-Censorship and National Security, Media management among others.
At the end of the workshop, the NITDA DG, Mr. Kashifu Inuwa was presented with the ‘ICT Personality of the year award’ by the Network of Advocates for Digital Reporting (NADIR), a forum of journalists covering the ICT sector.
M D Lawan presenting the award to Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi
Meanwhile, at the end of the workshop, the participants (Journalists) noted that there are expectations on the media, government, regulatory authorities, and the members of the public to achieve ethical and responsible online journalism.
In a communique signed by Isiyaku Ahmed, It was observed that digital technology is critical to the professional practice of journalism, especially in the adoption of digital tools to carry out fact-checking and investigative reportage.
Isyaku Ahmed presenting communique to Malam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi
Therefore, the importance of formulating appropriate regulation to guide the practice of online and citizenship journalism, and self-censorship to promote patriotism and national security. They noted that it is imperative for media practitioners to embrace ethical standards and conduct in their reportage to meet global best practices.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
While commending the organizers and sponsors of the training programme, especially the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Professor Ali Isa Pantami who has been in the forefront in advocating for the use of digital tools for economic development, they expressed optimism that this initiative will be sustained as part of steps to guarantee responsible online journalism, national security, and growth of the digital economy.
In their determination to ensure the practice of a digitally driven, ethically responsible and development conscious online journalism, the participants pledged to ensure that 20 per cent of their reports will focus on creating awareness on digital literacy and inclusion; demonstrate practical use of digital tools for fact-checking, investigative and developmental journalism as well as promote national unity and cohesion and as well actively participate and attend periodic training and other relevant institutions to regularly upgrade their skills in online journalism, as well as stepping down the knowledge to colleagues.
Ibrahim Khalil
The Kano State Police Command has arrested eight suspects in separate operations targeting drug peddling and thuggery in Panshekara and Kunchi/Ghari Local Government Area.
KANO FOCUS reports that the command disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori.
According to the statement, the operations, conducted on September 9, 2026, were part of the command’s intelligence-driven efforts to tackle drug abuse, thuggery and violent crimes across the state.
It said operatives of the Surveillance Team attached to Panshekara Police Division, acting on credible intelligence at about 2:30 p.m., intercepted eight suspects, including a 21-year-old man identified as Samson Yakubu of Samegu Quarters, at a suspected criminal hotspot.
A search of the suspects reportedly led to the recovery of 15 Pregabalin capsules, five Diazepam tablets, 10 Exol tablets and some quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
The police said the suspects were in custody and undergoing interrogation, while investigations were ongoing to establish the source of the suspected illicit drugs and identify other members of the alleged syndicate.
In a related operation conducted between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. the same day, operatives of the Kunchi/Ghari Division carried out a coordinated market patrol and raid at Matanfada Market.
The command said the area had been identified as a place where youths allegedly intimidate traders and residents during market sessions.
Five suspects were arrested during the operation. They were identified as Abdullahi Isah of Dustin; Haruna Isah of Daqarawa Village; Habu Badamasi of Dan Taimu Village; Gambo Ya’u of Kura Village; and Abubakar Dahiru of Farau Village.
The police said investigation was ongoing to identify and arrest other suspected accomplices, while exhibits recovered during the operation had been taken into custody as evidence.
CP Bakori commended the operatives for what he described as their professionalism and swift response, assuring residents that the command would sustain its operations against drug abuse, thuggery and other violent crimes.
“In line with the IGP’s policing vision and our mandate to ensure a safe and secure Kano, we will continue to be proactive,” the commissioner said.
“We are sending a clear message to criminal elements that Kano State will not be a breeding ground for their activities.”
The command also appreciated members of the public, community leaders and vigilante groups for providing information that aided the operations.
It urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station.
The command said all suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The funeral prayer for the late Shehu Kabir Bayero, Barde Kerarriya of Kano and District Head of Dorayi, was held on Thursday evening at Kofar Kudu, Kano Emir’s Palace.
KANO FOCUS reports that the prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Khamsus Salawati Mosque, Kofar Kudu, Malam Bello, and attended by hundreds of people from different parts of Kano State.
Among those who attended were the Secretary to the Kano State Government, Alhaji Umar Faruk; representative of the Emir of Kano, Matawallen Kano, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Matawalle; Chief of Staff to the Kano State Government House, Dr Sani Wali; as well as district heads and members of the Muslim community.
Shehu Kabir Bayero died in a hospital in Egypt following a period of illness. He is survived by his wives, children and other relatives.
Until his death, the late Bayero served as Commissioner of Police in Gombe and Osun states before retiring from the Nigeria Police Force.
Following his retirement, the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, appointed him as the Barde Kerarriya of Kano and District Head of Takai Local Government Area after the death of his father, the late Kabir Bayero, an elder brother of the former emir.
He later served as District Head of Gwarzo.
Due to his wealth of experience in security matters, the current Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, subsequently reassigned him as District Head of Dorayi, where he was expected to contribute to the sustenance of peace and security in the area.
The late district head was remembered for his service to the state and his experience in security and traditional administration.
May Allah forgive his shortcomings, have mercy on his soul and grant him Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Ministry of Education, with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has held a planning meeting on the implementation and effective utilisation of the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the meeting brought together relevant stakeholders from various ministries, agencies and development partners working in the education sector.
According to Malam Naziru Sirajo, deputy director EMIS and statistics in the Ministry of Education, the meeting was aimed at reviewing the current status of the Nigeria Learning Passport in Kano and developing a coordinated plan to strengthen its implementation, content utilisation, course completion, monitoring of learners’ progress and certification.
The Nigeria Learning Passport is a digital learning platform designed to provide Nigerian children and young people with access to curriculum-aligned educational content, including lessons, learning materials and assessments.
The platform is also designed to support learning continuity, including for learners facing limited or intermittent internet connectivity, while providing teachers and education stakeholders with digital resources to complement classroom instruction.
In Kano, the initiative is expected to strengthen awareness and utilisation of digital learning, while building the capacity of master trainers and technical teams to support schools, teachers and learners in using the platform effectively.
The effective utilisation of the Nigeria Learning Passport is expected to expand access to quality digital learning resources, promote independent learning, strengthen digital literacy and support improved learning outcomes and greater equity in access to educational opportunities.
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