Anambra 2025: SIDEC launches truth ambassadors to combat information disorder

 

By Okechukwu Onuegbu 

The Social And Integral Development Development Center (SIDEC), on Thursday, unveiled its Truth Ambassadors, a group of fact-checkers committed to combating information disorders in Anambra State, especially within and after the November 8 gubernatorial poll.

The team comprises of journalists, bloggers, civil society members, youth, children parliament, traders and staff of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) across the 21 Local Government Areas (LGAs), and sets to fact-check every information related to the forthcoming election with a view to dismissing fake news, misinformation, malinformation, hate speeches, falsehood and other forms of information disorders that could cause voters apathy or mar the electoral processes.

The SIDEC Truth Ambassadors were trained and empowered at a 2-day capacity building organised in a collaboration with The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room with the support of Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

The participants were empowered with capacities to identify misinformation, malinformation, disinformation, fake news, hate speech, propaganda, and how to fact check tgem using the Artificial Intelligence and digital communication tools.

According to the Executive Director, SIDEC, Ugochi Ehiahuruike, the programme which was part of their Project IMPACT, is a shared commitment to address a pressing challenge facing the democratic landscape of Anambra state, a harmful narratives threatening the electoral integrity, erode trust in governance, and disproportionately impact vulnerable groups like women, youths and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).

 "Through Project IMPACT, SIDEC is steadfast in equipping citizens, government actors, civil society organizations (CSOs), media professionals, PWDs, and community influencers with critical tools and knowledge. Today’s gathering marks a significant step toward activating a robust network of Community Truth Ambassadors, grassroots champions poised to fact-check, counter harmful narratives, and foster safer, more inclusive civic spaces, particularly as Nigeria approaches pivotal electoral engagements.

"Our objectives are to enhance capacity to identify, share with SIDEC secretariat, verify, and counter false information, promote digital literacy and fact-checking prowess among diverse stakeholders, establish a sustainable network of Community Truth Ambassadors, and cultivate fact-based and inclusive civic engagement.

"Through expert-led sessions, hands-on fact-checking practice, role-plays, and collaborative roadmap development, we envision at least 30 participants leaving empowered to detect, report back to SIDEC secretariat and combat disinformation. We anticipate strengthened digital and media literacy, especially benefiting women and PWDs in markets and communities. Let this training catalyze action, foster collaboration, and amplify voices committed to truth and accountability.

Also speaking, a board of trustee member of SIDEC, Professor Uche Nwogwugwu, described the programme as timely and action useful, even as he expressed confidence that the knowledge garnered through it would be utilised even at homes, societies, to mention but a few.

In a remark, the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor charged the truth ambassadors to live up to their expectations by becoming responsive and responsible, because according to him, allowing information disorder to hold sway in an election could jeopardize the credibility of the poll.

Mefor assured the collaboration of the ministry with the SIDEC towards sustaining and stepping down the training to the journalists and other members of the society for a maximum impact.

Contributing, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, INEC, Anambra State, Dr Queen Elizabeth Agwu, congratulated the Truth Ambassadors for embracing the vocation, urging them to separate themselves from political or economic reasons when it comes to Fact-Checking so as to successfully execute the act. 

Some of the participants, Dr Dennis Ekemezie, Mrs Regina Igwebuike and Miss Victory Ekwunife commended the organisers for the opportunities, assuring that they would put the knowledge into use.

Earlier in the training, the consultant/resource person, Dr Austin Aigbe, urged the participants not to relent in delivering on the mandates, arguing that failure to fight information disorder could be disastrous because it undermines democracies, reduce trust in the democratic processes, promote violence extremism and hate speech.