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News Verifier Africa

News Verifier Africa

By News Verifier Africa

This is a podcast series on COVID-19 misinformation and disinformation.

This podcast contains twin programs, a 10-week COVID-19 fact-check program and a 13-weeks drama series on COVID-19 misinformation and disinformation
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COVID-19 Vaccines and Microchip

News Verifier AfricaSep 06, 2021

00:00
05:02
Ọ̀rọ̀ ǹ pààyàn

Ọ̀rọ̀ ǹ pààyàn

The radio drama series, Àrùn ń rìnhòòhò is aimed at disbanding the rumors and misinformation related with COVID-19 & its vaccines. The title of this episode is Ọ̀rọ̀ ǹ pààyàn.

The characters featured in this episode are: Saamu Eleti-Erin, voiced by Olatunde Falola; Dokita, voiced by Titilayo Akande; Lemọọmu, voiced by Amoo Abass; Taye Alaga, voiced by Ajibola Akinyefa; Ṣaki Ọmọleewe, voiced by Elizabeth Bamgbose; Iya Ṣaki Onigaari, voiced by Sekinat Adegoke; and Baba Mufu Onidanfo, voiced by Adeola Omotade.

Story Idea: Iya Ṣaki Onigaari and Lemọọmu did all they could to get vaccinated but alas, it is already too late. Iya Ṣaki contracts COVID-19 again but this time, she didn't make it out alive. Saamu Eleti-Erin was later arrested but he had caused enough damage than he could ever repair.

Dec 31, 202116:03
Imú Níkà

Imú Níkà

The radio drama series, Àrùn ń rìnhòòhò is aimed at disbanding the rumors and misinformation related with COVID-19 & its vaccines. The title of this episode is Imú Níkà.

The characters featured in this episode are: Ṣaki Ọmọleewe, voiced by Elizabeth Bamgbose; Baba Mufu Onidanfo, voiced by Adeola Omotade; Iya Ṣaki Onigaari, voiced by Sekinat Adegoke; Saamu Eleti-Erin, voiced by Olatunde Falola; Taye Alaga, voiced by Ajibola Akinyefa; and Lemọọmu, voiced by Amoo Abass.

Story Idea: This is the last chance for the people of Ẹni-Afẹ to take the first batch of vaccine that was sent to them. Or else, it will be distributed to other communities who had exhausted theirs. This is also the last chance Saamu is waiting for before he would free his accomplice, Akọwe, from the psychiatric hospital. He lied to the members of his community that the vaccine killed a student and all other students, including their teachers ran out of their class to avoid being vaccinated. The news terrified members of his community and further dissuade them from taking the vaccine, it was later revealed that Saamu himself had received the vaccine.

Dec 31, 202114:52
Ẹní Jẹ Tẹ̀tẹ̀

Ẹní Jẹ Tẹ̀tẹ̀

The radio drama series, Àrùn ń rìnhòòhò is aimed at disbanding the rumors and misinformation related with COVID-19 & its vaccines. The title of this episode is Ẹní Jẹ Tẹ̀tẹ̀.

The characters featured in this episode are: Dokita, voiced by Titilayo Akande; Anti Nọọsi, voiced by Elizabeth Bamgbose; Saamu Eleti-Erin, voiced by Olatunde Falola; and Akowe, voiced by Adebayo Aare.

Story Idea: Saamu Eleti-Erin continued Akọwe’s mission of misinforming his community about the COVID-19 vaccine. He took up Tafa Alajọ's job so he will have the means to distribute fake news without anyone suspecting him. He advised Anti Nọọsi not to take the vaccine as it would block her womb and make her barren for life. At the end of the play, Dokita debunk the rumor and Anti Nọọsi went for the vaccine.

Dec 31, 202114:36
Wèrè Aláṣọ

Wèrè Aláṣọ

The radio drama series, Àrùn ń rìnhòòhò is aimed at disbanding the rumors and misinformation related with COVID-19 & its vaccines. The title of this episode is Wèrè Aláṣọ.

The characters featured in this episode are: Saamu Eleti-Erin, voiced by Olatunde Falola; Taye Alaga, voiced by Ajibola Akinyefa; Dokita, voiced by Titilayo Akande; Akowe, voiced by Adebayo Aare; and Ganiu Arọwaasi, voiced by Ibrahim Agbaje;

Story Idea: Akọwe called on Saamu Eleti-Erin once again to distribute fake news that the COVID-19 vaccine was created by world leaders to turn the whole world to zombies that'll never be able to defy their orders. Akowe put on an act to reinforce the false information but at the end of the play, he ends up in a psychiatric hospital.

Dec 31, 202115:48
Ìjíhìnrere Ọ̀tẹlẹ̀múyẹ́

Ìjíhìnrere Ọ̀tẹlẹ̀múyẹ́

The radio drama series, Àrùn ń rìnhòòhò is aimed at disbanding the rumors and misinformation related with COVID-19 & its vaccines. The title of this episode is Ìjíhìnrere Ọ̀tẹlẹ̀múyẹ́.

The characters featured in this episode are: Wolii, voiced by Olamide Folahanmi; Saamu Eleti-Erin, voiced by Olatunde Falola; Iya Ṣaki Onigaari, voiced by Sekinat Adegoke; Lemọọmu, voiced by Amoo Abass; Arọwaasi, voiced by Ibrahim Agbaje; Baba Mufu Onidanfo and Atumọ, voiced by Adeola Omotade;

Story Idea: Wolii claimed the angels told him that Taye Alaga and Akọwe took malaria dose to lure the people of his community into taking the COVID-19 vaccine. But upon hearing the death of Tafa Alajọ who defied the lockdown law, he secretly went to one of the certified spot to receive the COVID-19 vaccine but he was caught by Saamu Eleti-Erin who has a grudge against him. He blew his cover.

Dec 20, 202113:36
Ọ̀nà Ọ̀fun, Ọ̀nà Ọ̀run

Ọ̀nà Ọ̀fun, Ọ̀nà Ọ̀run

The radio drama series, Àrùn ń rìnhòòhò is aimed at disbanding the rumors and misinformation related with COVID-19 & its vaccines. The title of this episode is Ọ̀nà Ọ̀fun, Ọ̀nà Ọ̀run.

The characters featured in this episode are: Saamu Eleti-Erin, voiced by Olatunde Falola; Akọwe, voiced by Adebayo Aare; Dokita, voiced by Titilayo Akande; Taye Alaga, voiced by Ajibola Akinyefa; and Baba Mufu Onidanfo, voiced by; Adeola Omotade.

Story Idea: Akọwe hired Saamu Eleti-Erin as a false information agent to dissuade the members of his community from taking the COVID19 vaccine. Things later fell on him in a way that he himself has no choice but to take the vaccine.

Nov 19, 202114:22
Odù Kòró Méjì

Odù Kòró Méjì

The radio drama series, Àrùn ń rìnhòòhò is aimed at disbanding the rumors and misinformation related with COVID-19 & its vaccines. The title of this episode is Odù Kòró Méjì.

The characters featured in this episode are: Fatọpẹ Ooguntiojẹ, voiced by Ibrahim Agbaje; Saamu Eleti-Erin, voiced by Olatunde Falola; and Baba Mufu Onidanfo, voiced by; Adeola Omotade.

Story Idea: Saamu Eleti-Erin meets with Fatọpẹ Ooguntiojẹ, a quack herbalist, to look into his knowledge of herbs, to devise a formula that would cure COVID-19. Fatọpẹ received ₦40,000 from Saamu, but at the end of the day, he gave him Ewedu leaves which he called the spirit's leaves. He claimed that he went all the way to heaven's backyard to get the leaves. Saamu saw that all he received from Fatọpẹ was Ewedu leaf and this caused trouble between him and the priest.

Nov 18, 202114:13
Kòró Ayélujára

Kòró Ayélujára

The radio drama series, Àrùn ń rìnhòòhò is aimed at disbanding the rumors and misinformation related with COVID-19 & its vaccines. The title of this episode is Kòró Ayélujára.

The characters featured in this episode are: Saamu Eleti-Erin, voiced by Olatunde Falola; Iya Ṣaki Onigaari, voiced by Sekinat Adegoke; Ṣaki Ọmọleewe, voiced by Elizabeth Bamgbose; and Dókítà, voiced by Titilayo Akande.

Story Idea: Saamu Eleti-Erin paid a visit Iya Ṣaki Onigaari where he met Ṣaki Ọmọleewe using her mother's phone to source solutions for his assignments online. Saamu told her mother how dangerous it is for her to allow Ṣaki to browse the internet as this could expose her to the deadly coronavirus. Iya Ṣaki believed Saamu and even went for a checkup to know if she is still free from the virus. Dokita will be the one to debunk Saamu's claim with facts that he could not respond to.

Nov 08, 202113:57
Omi Kọ̀mpútà

Omi Kọ̀mpútà

The radio drama series, Àrùn ń rìnhòòhò is aimed at disbanding the rumors and misinformation related with COVID-19 & its vaccines. The title of this episode is Omi Kọ̀mpútà.

The characters featured in this episode are: Saamu Eleti-Erin, voiced by Olatunde Falola; Baba Mufu Onidanfo, voiced by Adeola Omotade; Wolii, voiced by Olamide Folahanmi; and Dókítà, voiced by Titilayo Akande.

Story Idea: Saamu Eleti-Erin, transports a rumour he heard from the city to his community that the vaccine is a "computer water" that could be used to control anyone who allows health workers to administer it to his/her body. Dokita will be the one to debunk this rumor with unchallengeable facts.

Nov 04, 202113:30
Náńkàlí Kòró

Náńkàlí Kòró

The radio drama series, Àrùn ń rìnhòòhò is aimed at disbanding the rumors and misinformation related with COVID-19 & its vaccines. The title of this episode is Náńkàlí Kòró. 


The characters featured in this episode are: Lemọọmu, voiced by Amoo Abass; Ganiu Arọwaasi, voiced by Ibrahim Agbaje; and Dókítà, voiced by Titilayo Akande. 


Story Idea: Lemọọmu, the community Islamic cleric, implored his Muslim brothers and sisters to observe their solat in the mosque instead of praying in their own homes as the COVID-19 protocol suggests. He claims the COVID-19 theory is nothing but a trick by Christians to stop Muslims from observing their Islamic rites. He advised his congregation to recite some Quranic verses in a cup of water and drink that every morning to protect them from any disease or illness. At the end of this episode, Lemọọmu himself contracted COVID-19. After he narrowly escaped death, on his way out of isolation, Ganiu Arọwaasi, brought a mammoth crowd to welcome him back to the society.

Oct 25, 202112:49
Ogun Èṣù

Ogun Èṣù

The radio drama series, Àrùn ń rìnhòòhò is aimed at disbanding the rumors and misinformation related with COVID-19 & its vaccines. The title of this episode is Ogun Èṣù. 


The characters featured in this episode are: Taye Alaga, voiced by Ajibola Akinyefa; Saamu Eleti-Erin, voiced by Olatunde Falola; Wolii Abẹ Igi Mangoro, voiced by Olamide Folahanmi; Atumọ, voiced by Adeola Omotade; and Anti Nọọsi, voiced by Elizabeth Bamgbose. 


Story Idea: The Wolii told members of his church that there is no such thing as COVID-19, dubbed it as a means that the devil and his children in the government house devised to stop people from going to church when they knew Jesus is about to return. Meanwhile, Anti Nọọsi was declared wanted by Taye Alaga for not submitting herself to the NCDC after contracting COVID-19 and transmitting it to Tafa Alajọ. She later went to meet Wolii for spiritual help, but upon seeing her coughing at the entrance of the church, Wolii ran away and called the NCDC.

Oct 16, 202115:09
Ẹní Jẹ Gbì

Ẹní Jẹ Gbì

The radio drama series, Àrùn ń rìnhòòhò is aimed at disbanding the rumors and misinformation related with COVID-19 & its vaccines. The title of this episode is Ẹní Jẹ Gbì. 


The characters featured in this episode are: Taye Alaga, voiced by Ajibola Akinyefa; Saamu Eleti-Erin, voiced by Olatunde Falola; Iya Ṣaki Onigaari, voiced by Sekinat Adegoke; Baba Mufu Onidanfo, voiced by Adeola Omotade; Anti Nọọsi, voiced by Elizabeth Bamgbose; and Tafa Alajọ, voiced by Adebayo Aare. 


Story Idea: Tafa Alajọ, a local thrift collector, refused to obey the lockdown laws for his daily business. He set out to the community, moving from one house to the other to receive his customers' savings. He had a talk with Saamu Eleti-Erin who further embolden him that COVID-19 is a poor man's disease, especially for people like them who lives in rural area and feed on fresh vegetables. Later, he (Tafa Alajọ) contracted the disease from the local pharmacist, Anti Nurse, and from there, he contracted it to everywhere he stopped by to collect thrift. It will later be revealed that he enhanced the spread of COVID-19 with his business.

Oct 08, 202113:50
Kòró Mẹgbẹ́ ẹ̀

Kòró Mẹgbẹ́ ẹ̀

The radio drama series, Àrùn ń rìnhòòhò is aimed at disbanding the rumors and misinformation related with COVID-19 & its vaccines. The title of the maiden episode is Kòró Mẹgbẹ́ ẹ̀.  


The characters featured in this episode are: Taye Alaga, voiced by Ajibola Akinyefa; Iya Ajao, voiced by Sekinat Adegoke; Dokita, voiced by Titilayo Akande; Akọwe, voiced by Adebayo Aare; and Anti Nọọsi, voiced by Elizabeth Bamgbose  


Story Idea: Taye Alaga, the Chairman of Ẹni-Afẹ community, traveled to Benin Republic for a three days vacation. Upon his return, he was advised by Dokita who gave him a medical check up to isolate himself for the next 14 days as directed by the government to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Taye Alaga ignored this advise, without knowing that he had already contracted the virus. He unknowingly transmitted it to his friend, Akọwe, and elder sister, Iya Ajao, who also transmitted it to Anti Nurse in her bid to get a cure for what she thought was malaria. At the end of the day, all other three, including Taye Alaga, who first contracted the virus survived it. But Iya Ajao, who is an elderly person did not. She died at the end of the first play. The cause of her death will be revealed and traced to her younger brother, Taye Alaga.

Oct 06, 202112:47
COVID-19 Vaccine and Change in DNA (Yoruba Version)

COVID-19 Vaccine and Change in DNA (Yoruba Version)

The campaign to get more people vaccinated against the coronavirus across the world has been met with serious resistance from anti-vaxxers and others who are hesitant about taking the shot due to some concerns.

One of such concerns is the fear that the vaccines would alter or modify the DNA of those who took them. This fear, like many others about the vaccines continues to spread widely on social media where people who are skeptical about the vaccine have shared them as justification for not taking the vaccines.

Our anchor, Adebayo Aare examined the claim that one’s DNA can be modified by COVID-19 vaccines. It was discovered that claim stating that coronavirus vaccines can alter human DNA started after a misrepresentation of a non-peer-reviewed article that was published in December 2020. The authors of the controversial study, which included two respected biologists from MIT, claimed that the novel coronavirus could modify human DNA. Mind you, the study did not say the vaccine could alter the human DNA but that the virus itself could.

Even at that many experts heavily criticised the conclusion of the study describing it as “strong, dangerous and largely unsupported." However, a conspiracy theory blog, Algora.com, took the report of the study and turned it on its head with the headline: “MIT & Harvard Study Suggests mRNA Vaccine Might Permanently Alter DNA After All," from there, the claim went viral after the misleading article was shared widely on social media.

We interviewed an expert, Dr. Bamidele Iwalokun, a molecular biologist with the Nigerian Institute Of Medical Research (NIMR) who shed more light on the rumour and tell us more about why the COVID-19 vaccine cannot alter our DNA. From our interview and rigorous research analyses from renowned medical organization, we arrived at our verdict for this week, press play to know our VERDICT on the viral claim.

The Production Team for this week’s episode are:

Olakunle Mohammed – Project Manager

Nicholas Ibekwe – Researcher and Assistant Producer

Oluwatosin Ologun – Producer

Adebayo Aare – Presenter

Oct 05, 202105:21
COVID-19 Vaccine and Change in DNA

COVID-19 Vaccine and Change in DNA

The campaign to get more people vaccinated against the coronavirus across the world has been met with serious resistance from anti-vaxxers and others who are hesitant about taking the shot due to some concerns.   


One of such concerns is the fear that the vaccines would alter or modify the DNA of those who took them. This fear, like many others about the vaccines continues to spread widely on social media where people who are skeptical about the vaccine have shared them as justification for not taking the vaccines. 


Our anchor, Zainab Sanni, examined the claim that one’s DNA can be modified by COVID-19 vaccines. It was discovered that claim stating that coronavirus vaccines can alter human DNA started after a misrepresentation of a non-peer-reviewed article that was published in December 2020. The authors of the controversial study, which included two respected biologists from MIT, claimed that the novel coronavirus could modify human DNA. Mind you, the study did not say the vaccine could alter the human DNA but that the virus itself could. 


Even at that many experts heavily criticised the conclusion of the study describing it as “strong, dangerous and largely unsupported." However, a conspiracy theory blog, Algora.com, took the report of the study and turned it on its head with the headline: “MIT & Harvard Study Suggests mRNA Vaccine Might Permanently Alter DNA After All," from there, the claim went viral after the misleading article was shared widely on social media. 


We interviewed an expert, Dr. Bamidele Iwalokun, a molecular biologist with the Nigerian Institute Of Medical Research (NIMR) who shed more light on the rumour and tell us more about why the COVID-19 vaccine cannot alter our DNA. From our interview and rigorous research analyses from renowned medical organization, we arrived at our verdict for this week, press play to know our VERDICT on the viral claim.  


The Production Team for this week’s episode are:  

Olakunle Mohammed – Project Manager  

Nicholas Ibekwe – Researcher and Assistant Producer  

Oluwatosin Ologun – Producer

Zainab Sanni – Presenter

Oct 05, 202104:60
COVID-19 Vaccines and Infertility (Yoruba Version)

COVID-19 Vaccines and Infertility (Yoruba Version)

Sometime in December 2020, prominent anti-vaccine campaigners started a buzz on social media, expressing concerns that the COVID-19 vaccine causes infertility in some women. 


Our anchor, Adebayo Aare examined the claim that COVID-19 vaccines are dangerous to women reproductive health and could cause infertility. The origin of this claim can be traced to a December 1, 2020 letter sent by two European anti-vaccination activists to the European Medicines Agency claiming that the COVID-19 “vaccine contains a spike protein called syncytin-1 [that is] vital for the human placenta in women.” This claim generated controversy and topical discussions on social media after Sherri Tenpenny, a prominent anti-vaxxer claimed that the COVID-19 “can bind to the ovary” and that the vaccines are part of a plot by “the globalists and the de-population eugenicists, the stated Satanists who are out to destroy the world.” 


By April 2021, the claim had spread further after prominent feminist author turn anti-vaccination activist, Naomi Wolf, posted a link to a Facebook group claiming “hundreds of women on this page say that they are having bleeding/clotting after vaccination, or that they bleed oddly AROUND vaccinated women. Unconfirmed, needs more investigation, but lots of reports.” We spoke with Dr. Akinyode, who is an epidemiologist throws more light on the claim that the Covid-19 vaccine causes infertility. 


From our interview and rigorous research analyses from renowned medical organization, we arrived at our verdict for this week, press play to know our VERDICT on the viral claim. 


The Production Team for this week’s episode are: 

Olakunle Mohammed – Project Manager 

Nicholas Ibekwe – Researcher and Assistant Producer 

Oluwatosin Ologun – Producer

Adebayo Aare – Presenter

Sep 11, 202104:45
COVID-19 Vaccines and Infertility

COVID-19 Vaccines and Infertility

Sometime in December 2020, prominent anti-vaccine campaigners started a buzz on social media, expressing concerns that the COVID-19 vaccine causes infertility in some women.


Our anchor, Zainab Sanni examined the claim that COVID-19 vaccines are dangerous to women reproductive health and could cause infertility.


The origin of this claim can be traced to a December 1, 2020 letter sent by two European anti-vaccination activists to the European Medicines Agency claiming that the COVID-19 “vaccine contains a spike protein called syncytin-1 [that is] vital for the human placenta in women.” This claim generated controversy and topical discussions on social media after Sherri Tenpenny, a prominent anti-vaxxer claimed that the COVID-19 “can bind to the ovary” and that the vaccines are part of a plot by “the globalists and the de-population eugenicists, the stated Satanists who are out to destroy the world.”


By April 2021, the claim had spread further after prominent feminist author turn anti-vaccination activist, Naomi Wolf, posted a link to a Facebook group claiming “hundreds of women on this page say that they are having bleeding/clotting after vaccination, or that they bleed oddly AROUND vaccinated women. Unconfirmed, needs more investigation, but lots of reports.”


We spoke with Dr. Akinyode, who is an epidemiologist throws more light on the claim that the Covid-19 vaccine causes infertility. From our interview and rigorous research analyses from renowned medical organization, we arrived at our verdict for this week, press play to know our VERDICT on the viral claim.


The Production Team for this week’s episode are:

Olakunle Mohammed – Project Manager

Nicholas Ibekwe – Researcher and Assistant Producer

Oluwatosin Ologun – Producer

Zainab Sanni – Presenter

Sep 09, 202105:01
COVID-19 Vaccines and Microchip (Yoruba Version)

COVID-19 Vaccines and Microchip (Yoruba Version)

In 2020, as the race to develop vaccines to roll back the spread of the coronavirus outbreak which has reached a pandemic proportion, news started spreading on social media and even on some traditional media that the vaccines that were being developed contain microchips which will be implanted in people upon being injected with the vaccine to monitor them. 


On this episode, our anchor, Adebayo Aare, queried the claim that those who take the COVID-19 vaccines are implanted with microchips that have been put in the vaccines. In March 2020, billionaire and philanthropist, Bill Gates in a chat of the social media site, Reddit, about the pandemic suggested that a time will come when everyone might be required to a digital passport showing their health records. A Swedish biohacking website reported the Reddit discussion of the former richest man in the world with the headline: “Bill Gates will use microchip implants to fight coronavirus.” Since then, the claim has gained massive acclaim by anti-vaxxers through the preaching of Adam Fannin, an American Baptist televangelist and Roger Stone, a former political strategist to a former US President Donald Trump. In Nigeria, two prominent televangelists—Chris Oyakhilome and Chris Okotie—are at the forefront of this rumour and teaching that vaccine is the 666 biblical mark of the beast swollen and that Gates has an agenda to depopulate the earth with it. 


We interviewed Mr. Aliyu Olateju, an ICT expert, who talked about how microchips can be infused into vaccines and if it’s possible that this is contained in the COVID-19 vaccine. And also spoke to Dr. Akinyode, an epidemiologist who talked about microchips inside the COVID-19 vaccine. These twin interviews bring us to our verdict for this week, press play to know our VERDICT on the viral claim. 


The Production Team for this week’s episode are: 

Olakunle Mohammed – Project Manager 

Nicholas Ibekwe – Researcher and Assistant Producer 

Oluwatosin Ologun – Producer

Adebayo Aare – Presenter

Sep 06, 202105:10
COVID-19 Vaccines and Microchip

COVID-19 Vaccines and Microchip

In 2020, as the race to develop vaccines to roll back the spread of the coronavirus outbreak which has reached a pandemic proportion, news started spreading on social media and even on some traditional media that the vaccines that were being developed contain microchips which will be implanted in people upon being injected with the vaccine to monitor them. 


On this episode, our anchor, Zainab Sanni, queried the claim that those who take the COVID-19 vaccines are implanted with microchips that have been put in the vaccines. In March 2020, billionaire and philanthropist, Bill Gates in a chat of the social media site, Reddit, about the pandemic suggested that a time will come when everyone might be required to a digital passport showing their health records. 


A Swedish biohacking website reported the Reddit discussion of the former richest man in the world with the headline: “Bill Gates will use microchip implants to fight coronavirus.” Since then, the claim has gained massive acclaim by anti-vaxxers through the preaching of Adam Fannin, an American Baptist televangelist and Roger Stone, a former political strategist to a former US President Donald Trump. In Nigeria, two prominent televangelists—Chris Oyakhilome and Chris Okotie—are at the forefront of this rumour and teaching that vaccine is the 666 biblical mark of the beast swollen and that Gates has an agenda to depopulate the earth with it. 


We interviewed Mr. Aliyu Olateju, an ICT expert, who talked about how microchips can be infused into vaccines and if it’s possible that this is contained in the COVID-19 vaccine. And also spoke to Dr. Akinyode, an epidemiologist who talked about microchips inside the COVID-19 vaccine. These twin interviews bring us to our verdict for this week, press play to know our VERDICT on the viral claim. 


The Production Team for this week’s episode are: 

Olakunle Mohammed – Project Manager 

Nicholas Ibekwe – Researcher and Assistant Producer 

Oluwatosin Ologun – Producer

Zainab Sanni – Presenter

Sep 06, 202105:02
COVID-19 Vaccines and Magnetism (Yoruba Version)

COVID-19 Vaccines and Magnetism (Yoruba Version)

As the world struggled to end the coronavirus pandemic through vaccination, we have had to deal with obvious disinformation and misinformation about the virus and its vaccines.    


On this episode, our anchor, Adebayo Aare, looked at at the viral claim that “coronavirus vaccines causes magnetism.” Sometime in May, videos of people sticking spoons and coins to their arms whilst claiming the objects stuck to their bodies after they took the Covid-19 vaccine started circulating online. These claims then went viral in June after Dr Sherri Tenpenny, a prominent American anti-vaxxer and author of the book, “Saying No to Vaccines”, told Ohio lawmakers the coronavirus vaccine causes an increase in protein that makes “a metal attached to it.”  


To debunk this claim, we interviewed Dr. B A. Iwalokun, of the Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Department in the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), who clarified how vaccines work in a human body. Also, the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says there is absolutely no truth to the claim.  


The interview with Dr. Iwalokun and publicly available evidence from a verified public health organisation brings us to our verdict this week, press play to know our VERDICT on the viral claim. 


The Production Team for this week’s episode are:  

Olakunle Mohammed – Project Manager  

Nicholas Ibekwe – Researcher and Assistant Producer  

Oluwatosin Ologun – Producer

Adebayo Aare – Presenter

Sep 02, 202104:58
COVID-19 Vaccines and Magnetism

COVID-19 Vaccines and Magnetism

As the world struggled to end the coronavirus pandemic through vaccination, we have had to deal with obvious disinformation and misinformation about the virus and its vaccines.   


On this episode, our anchor, Zainab Sanni looked at at the viral claim that “coronavirus vaccines causes magnetism.” Sometime in May, videos of people sticking spoons and coins to their arms whilst claiming the objects stuck to their bodies after they took the Covid-19 vaccine started circulating online. These claims then went viral in June after Dr Sherri Tenpenny, a prominent American anti-vaxxer and author of the book, “Saying No to Vaccines”, told Ohio lawmakers the coronavirus vaccine causes an increase in protein that makes “a metal attached to it.” 


To debunk this claim, we interviewed Dr. B A. Iwalokun, of the Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Department in the Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), who clarified how vaccines work in a human body. Also, the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says there is absolutely no truth to the claim. 


The interview with Dr. Iwalokun and publicly available evidence from a verified public health organisation brings us to our verdict this week, press play to know our VERDICT on the viral claim.


The Production Team for this week’s episode are: 

Olakunle Mohammed – Project Manager 

Nicholas Ibekwe – Researcher and Assistant Producer 

Oluwatosin Ologun – Producer

Zainab Sanni – Presenter

Aug 26, 202105:08
Facts About COVID-19 Vaccine (Yoruba Version)

Facts About COVID-19 Vaccine (Yoruba Version)

Nigeria has just received its second batch of the COVID-19 vaccines and is about to resume vaccination across the country and we thought it would be great to share facts you should know about COVID-19 vaccines. 


On this episode, our anchor, Debayo Aare touched on some viral claims about the vaccine circulating within social media and what public health organizations and fact-check platforms have said about them.  


Our guest for this episode is someone who has received the COVID-19 vaccine, and shared her personal experience.


The Production Team for this week’s episode are:

Olakunle Mohammed – Project Manager and Researcher

Oluwatosin Ologun – Producer

Adebayo Aare – Presenter

Aug 22, 202105:06
Facts About COVID-19 Vaccines

Facts About COVID-19 Vaccines

Nigeria has just received its second batch of the COVID-19 vaccines and is about to resume vaccination across the country and we thought it would be great to share facts you should know about COVID-19 vaccines. 


On this episode, our anchor, Zainab Sanni touched on some viral claims about the vaccine circulating within social media and what public health organizations and fact-check platforms have said about them. 


Our guest for this episode is someone who has received the COVID-19 vaccine, and shared her personal experience.


The Production Team for this week’s episode are:

Olakunle Mohammed – Project Manager and Researcher

Oluwatosin Ologun – Producer

Zainab Sanni – Presenter

Aug 19, 202104:31
COVID-19 and Hydroxychloroquine (Yoruba version)

COVID-19 and Hydroxychloroquine (Yoruba version)

On this week’s edition of VERDICT, we take a look at a viral claim that hydroxychloroquine is a possible treatment for COVID-19. 


The anchor, Debayo Aare stated that the viral claim that chloroquine cures COVID-19 went viral in March 2020 when former U.S. President Donald Trump stated that hydroxychloroquine was a possible treatment for the virus. 


Although the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine as an emergency treatment for COVID-19 patients but the drug was revoked by the FDA in June after documenting series of side effects. Use of chloroquine as a possible treatment was debunked by several fact-check organisation, still the chloroquine cure claim garnered spotlight again in July 2020 when a video began circulating in Nigeria's social media space. 


The video showed a US based doctor, identified as Stella Immanuel, claiming that hydroxychloroquine can be used to treat COVID-19. Recently, News Verifier Africa also debunked the claim on our fact-check website and you can check out the detail on www.newsverifier.africa 


To verify this claim, the programme featured Mr. Ore Alabi, a pharmacist with the Lagos State Health Commission who shed more light on why hydroxychloroquine and its use as treatment for COVID-19. After the facts, debunks by public health experts and organisations, press play to know our VERDICT on the viral claim.


The Production Team for this week’s episode are:

Olakunle Mohammed – Project Manager and Researcher

Oluwatosin Ologun – Producer

Adebayo Aare – Presenter

Aug 18, 202105:14
COVID-19 and Hydroxychloroquine

COVID-19 and Hydroxychloroquine

On this week’s edition of VERDICT, we take a look at a viral claim that hydroxychloroquine is a possible treatment for COVID-19.

The anchor, Zainab Sanni stated that the viral claim that chloroquine cures COVID-19 went viral in March 2020 when former U.S. President Donald Trump stated that hydroxychloroquine was a possible treatment for the virus. Although the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine as an emergency treatment for COVID-19 patients but the drug was revoked by the FDA in June after documenting series of side effects.

Use of chloroquine as a possible treatment was debunked by several fact-check organisation, still the chloroquine cure claim garnered spotlight again in July 2020 when a video began circulating in Nigeria's social media space. The video showed a US based doctor, identified as Stella Immanuel, claiming that hydroxychloroquine can be used to treat COVID-19. Recently, News Verifier Africa also debunked the claim on our fact-check website and you can check out the detail on www.newsverifier.africa

To verify this claim, the programme featured Mr. Ore Alabi, a pharmacist with the Lagos State Health Commission who shed more light on why hydroxychloroquine and its use as treatment for COVID-19. After the facts, debunks by public health experts and organisations, press play to know our VERDICT on the viral claim.


The Production Team for this week’s episode are:

Olakunle Mohammed – Project Manager and Researcher

Oluwatosin Ologun – Producer

Zainab Sanni – Presenter

Aug 12, 202105:06
COVID-19 and Herbal Cures (Yoruba Version)

COVID-19 and Herbal Cures (Yoruba Version)

On this week’s edition of VERDICT, we take a look at a viral claim that certain herbs can cure COVID-19. 

The anchor, Adebayo Aare revealed that the misinformation began to gain more waves in Nigeria when a post surfaced on Facebook in July 2020 announcing that the National Agency For Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has approved the PaxHerbal-remedy as a treatment for COVID-19. 

The origin of this claim and other on herbal cures couldn’t be traced to a particular origin but it went viral on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp. To verify this claim, the programme featured Dr Abubakar Jimoh, the Director of Public Affairs for NAFDAC, who shed more light on the traditional herbs, medicines and treatment approved by Nigeria’s drug control agency, NAFDAC, to cure COVID-19. After the facts, debunks by public health experts and organisations, press play to know our VERDICT on the viral claim.


The Production Team for this week’s episode are:

Olakunle Mohammed – Project Manager and Researcher

Oluwatosin Ologun – Producer

Adebayo Aare – Presenter

Aug 11, 202105:10
COVID-19 and Herbal Cures

COVID-19 and Herbal Cures

On this week’s edition of VERDICT, we take a look at a viral claim that certain herbs can cure COVID-19. 


The anchor, Zainab Sanni revealed that the misinformation began to gain more waves in Nigeria when a post surfaced on Facebook in July 2020 announcing that the National Agency For Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has approved the PaxHerbal-remedy as a treatment for COVID-19. 


The origin of this claim and other on herbal cures couldn’t be traced to a particular origin but it went viral on Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp. 


To verify this claim, the programme featured Dr Abubakar Jimoh, the Director of Public Affairs for NAFDAC, who shed more light on the traditional herbs, medicines and treatment approved by Nigeria’s drug control agency, NAFDAC, to cure COVID-19. After the facts, debunks by public health experts and organisations, press play to know our VERDICT on the viral claim.


The Production Team for this week’s episode are:

Olakunle Mohammed – Project Manager and Researcher

Oluwatosin Ologun – Producer

Zainab Sanni – Presenter

Aug 05, 202104:52
COVID-19 and Breathing Test Claim (Yoruba Version)

COVID-19 and Breathing Test Claim (Yoruba Version)

Lóri ètò ìdájọ́ l'ọ́sẹ̀ yi, a tan iná wo àhesọ ọ̀rọ̀ kan tí ó ní sisé èémí fún ìṣejú àáyá mẹwa jẹ́ ọ̀nà lati mọ̀ bóyá èèyàn ní ààrùn COVID-19. 


Atókùn ètò, Adébáyọ̀ Ààrẹ, jẹ k'ó di mímọ̀ pé ìròyìn irọ́ òhún bẹ̀rẹ̀ sí níí tàn kálẹ̀ ní osù kejì ọdún 2020, nígbà tí ọ̀rọ̀ àhesọ kan bẹ̀rẹ̀ síníí lọ káàkiri lójú òpó ìbánidorẹ Facebook, WhatsApp, àti Ìkànnì abẹ́yẹfò twitter pé tí èèyàn bá le sé èémí fún ìsẹ́jú àáyá mẹ́wa ajẹ́'pé ẹni bẹ́ẹ̀ kò ní ààrùn COVID-19 nìyẹn. 


Ìtànkálẹ̀ ọ̀rọ̀ ọ̀hún ni ìwádi fi hàn pé lati orí àwòráń kan tí wón ní ó wá lati ọwọ́ onísègùn òyìnbó ọmọ ilẹ̀ japan kan lóti bẹ̀rẹ̀, tí ó sì jẹ́ títàn kálẹ̀ lati ọ̀dọ̀ akọ̀ròyìn ilé'ṣẹ móhùnmáwòrán fox news tí orúkọ rẹ̀ n jẹ́ Geraldo Rivera lórí ètò kan nílé iṣẹ́ náà. 


A gba àlejò onísègùn òyìnbó kan tí onímọ̀ ìjìnlẹ̀ nípa àjàkálẹ̀ ààrùn, tí ó sì túń jẹ́ òṣìṣẹ́ ilé isẹ́ tí ó ń rí sí ọ̀rọ̀ ààrùn COVID-19 nipinlẹ̀ Ọ̀yọ̀, tí ó bá wa tan ìmọ́lẹ̀ sí ọ̀rọ̀ níì lati jẹ́ k'á mọ àyẹ̀wò tí ó tọ̀nà lati mọ̀ bóyá èèyàn ní ààrùn COVID-19 lárá, nínú síṣe àyẹ̀wò tí àwọn elétò ìlera f'ọwọ́ sí. 


Lẹ́yìn àwọn òótọ́ ọ̀rọ̀, àti ìdásí àwọn akọ́ṣẹ́ mọṣẹ́ onímọ̀ ìṣègùn òyìnbó, àti àwọn àjọ t'on rí sí ètò ìlera, ẹ dara pọ̀ mọ́ wa lati mọ ìdájọ́ wa lórí àhesọ ọ̀rọ̀ irọ́ náà.


The Production Team for this week’s episode are:

Olakunle Mohammed – Project Manager and Researcher

Oluwatosin Ologun – Producer

Adebayo Aare – Presenter

Aug 01, 202105:01
COVID-19 and Breathing Test Claim

COVID-19 and Breathing Test Claim

On this week’s edition of VERDICT, we take a look at a viral claim that holding breath for 10 seconds or more is a test for COVID-19.

The anchor, Zainab Sanni revealed that the misinfirmation began to gain waves in February 2020, when a myth began to circulate on Facebook, WhatsApp and Twitter that if you can hold your breath for 10 seconds, then you don’t have COVID-19.

This spread of the claim was traced to a viral image credited to a nameless Japanese doctor and made more popular by a Fox News correspondent Geraldo Rivera during a live show. 

The program featured an epidemiologist and a staff of the Oyo State COVID-19 operations, who shed more light on either one that is medically accurate, a breathing exercise or the nasal test. After the facts, debunks by public health experts and organisation, press play to know our VERDICT on the viral claim.


The Production Team for this week’s episode are:

Olakunle Mohammed – Project Manager and Researcher

Oluwatosin Ologun – Producer

Zainab Sanni – Presenter

Jul 29, 202105:11
COVID-19 and 5G Conspiracy Theory (Yoruba Version)

COVID-19 and 5G Conspiracy Theory (Yoruba Version)

This is the yoruba version of the maiden episode of VERDICT. Here, we talked about COVID-19 and the claims that it can be transmitted to the body via 5G technology. 


Our anchor, Adebayo Aare, traced the origin of this claim and prominents Nigerians that helped to spread the misinformation such as Dino Melaye, Femi Fani-Kayode and Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and how they contributed to the spread of the claim on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube.

The program featured an ICT expert who also shed more light on radio wave as a carrier for cornovavirus. After the facts, debunks by public health experts and organisation, press play to know our VERDICT on the viral claim.


The Production Team for this week’s episode are:

Olakunle Mohammed – Project Manager and Researcher

Oluwatosin Ologun – Producer

Adebayo Aare – Presenter

Jul 24, 202105:24
COVID-19 and 5G Conspiracy Theory

COVID-19 and 5G Conspiracy Theory

This maiden episode is on COVID-19 and the claims that it can be transmitted to the body via 5G technology. Our anchor, Zainab Sanni, traced the origin of this claim and prominents Nigerians that helped to spread the misinformation such as Dino Melaye, Femi Fani-Kayode and Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and how they contributed to the spread of the claim on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube.

The program featured an ICT expert who also shed more light on radio wave as a carrier for cornovavirus. After the facts, debunks by public health experts and organisation, press play to know our VERDICT on the viral claim.


The Production Team for this week’s episode are:

Olakunle Mohammed – Project Manager and Researcher

Oluwatosin Ologun – Producer

Zainab Sanni – Presenter

Jul 22, 202105:17