2027: NGO Trains 22 Gombe Clerics In Combating Fake News

A total of 22 Islamic clerics in Gombe State have been trained to combat misinformation and promote media literacy, as part of efforts to curb the spread of fake news ahead of Nigeria’s election cycle.

The two-day workshop, which commenced yesterday and ends today, is organised by Alkalanci, a verification and media literacy organisation.

It is aimed at equipping religious leaders with fact-checking skills and tools for verifying information before sharing it with their communities.

In his welcome remarks, the editor of Alkalanci, Alhassan Bala, described the training as timely, warning that misinformation and disinformation were expected to rise in the build-up to elections, including foreign interference and manipulation.

He also expressed concern over the growing use of artificial intelligence to generate deepfake videos, audio and images, noting that such content could mislead the public and threaten peace if not properly checked.

Bala said the workshop was specifically designed for Islamic clerics because of their influence on public opinion, stressing that sermons and teachings delivered by religious leaders shape community perceptions and must therefore be based on verified information.

He explained that participants would be introduced to practical tools for verifying text, images and videos, while also building a culture of critical thinking to help them guide their congregations to confirm information before sharing.

The Emir of Gombe, Alhaji Abubakar Shehu Abubakar, represented at the event by Abubakar Ismail, commended the organisers and described fake news as devastating.

He warned that misinformation could undermine unity and peaceful coexistence if left unchecked.

Sheikh Musa Adam Maihula, the Chief Imam of Umar bin Kaddaab mosque, Federal Low cost, Gombe, emphasised the responsibility of clerics to verify information before delivering it to the congregations.

Several participants at the training shared their separate experiences countering fake information.