In a concerted effort to combat health misinformation, fellows of the Niger State Health Misinformation Management Fellowship, under the Nigeria Health Watch (NHW), held a sensitisation campaign in collaboration with various partners.
Led by state team leader Mr. Daniel Atori, the fellows and partner organisations braved the early morning rain on Monday to gather at the Obasanjo Shopping Complex Roundabout in Minna. They embarked on a road walk through the city centre, culminating at the Late Sen. Dahiru Awaisu Kuta Primary Healthcare facility in the Commissioners' Quarters area.
At the healthcare facility, the team engaged with women attending antenatal care (ANC) and other individuals seeking healthcare services. Mr. Atori emphasised the severe consequences of health misinformation on individuals, society, and the nation. He urged the public to seek health information from credible sources and verify any information, especially from social media, before sharing.
Speakers at the event included the state health educator representing the Commissioner for Primary Healthcare, the state director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the state director of information services, and representatives from the ministries of secondary and tertiary healthcare, women affairs, and social development. They all encouraged the public to avoid self-medication and seek professional health advice.
The speakers also addressed misconceptions about government health intervention programs, particularly immunisation activities, assuring that all vaccines undergo rigorous testing and are safe.
The event featured dancing and chanting slogans such as "Health is Wealth," "Verify before you share," and "Don't share if you are not sure." The team also distributed insecticide-treated mosquito nets to women attending ANC at the healthcare facility.
The Niger State Police Command has firmly dismissed rumours circulating on social media about a critical security threat involving Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in the state.
In a press release signed by the state police command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Wasiu Abiodun, and obtained by Newsline yesterday, the command labelled the alleged threat as untrue, baseless, and unfounded, urging the public to disregard such misinformation.
The police clarified that the IEDs recently destroyed were part of proactive public safety measures. These devices were recovered during joint counter-insurgency operations in Shiroro LGA between 2021 and 2022. The prolonged storage of these materials posed significant risks to lives and properties, necessitating their immediate destruction.
"Contrary to the assertions in the false publication, there is no critical threat targeting any public area or infrastructure in Niger State. This misinformation appears to be a calculated attempt to incite panic and unnecessary fear," the statement emphasised.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Shawulu Ebenezer Danmamman, reassured residents that the destruction of the IEDs was a precautionary measure to ensure public safety. He encouraged the public to continue their daily activities without fear, affirming the commitment of the police and other security agencies to protect lives and property within the state.
CP Danmamman reiterated the dedication of the police and sister security agencies to maintaining peace and security in Niger State.
