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DICAN Conference Pushes United Front Against Fake News and Information Warfare
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By Gloria Ikibah
Stakeholders from diplomacy, security, media, academia and civil society have called for stronger collaboration to tackle the growing threat of disinformation, fake news and foreign information manipulation, warning that the spread of false narratives poses serious risks to democracy, security and economic stability.
The call was made at the second Diplomatic/Security, Trade and Investment International Conference organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Nigeria in partnership with the Centre for Communication Development and Diplomacy in Africa and other stakeholders at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Abuja.
The conference, themed “Information Warfare: Strengthening Global Security, Trade and Investment through Collaborative Truth – The Role of Diplomacy, Intelligence and the Media,” brought together representatives of diplomatic missions, government institutions, security agencies, the media and the private sector to examine the dangers posed by misinformation and coordinated digital manipulation.
In his opening remarks, DICAN President, Mr Frederick Idehai, described information warfare as an emerging global challenge capable of weakening democratic institutions and eroding public confidence.
“False narratives, deepfakes and coordinated disinformation campaigns are increasingly being used to undermine public trust and destabilise societies,” he said.
Idehai disclosed that DICAN, alongside its partners, had established regional situational rooms and the Nigerian Fact Check and Information Integrity Network to monitor and counter fake news across the country.
Representing the Embassy of China in Nigeria, Mr Zhao Hongyu described the gathering as an important platform for strengthening cooperation and dialogue.
According to him, 2026 marks the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Nigeria and China, as well as the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.
He stated that both countries had continued to build relations based on “mutual respect, win-win cooperation, and close people-to-people bonds.”
The Chinese envoy also highlighted ongoing cooperation in areas including infrastructure, trade, finance, security and education, while announcing that China had introduced a zero-tariff policy for African countries maintaining diplomatic relations with Beijing.
Reacting to the remarks, the spokesperson of Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the One-China policy and commended the cordial relationship between the Chinese Embassy and Nigerian government institutions.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mrs Nonye Ayeni, stressed the importance of non-oil exports to Nigeria’s economic diversification efforts.
She disclosed that the country recorded more than six billion dollars in non-oil exports in 2025 and called for stronger diplomatic support and trade facilitation to improve access to international markets for Nigerian products.
The Chargé d’Affaires of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Zissimos Vergos, warned that disinformation and foreign interference continue to threaten democratic systems and electoral credibility.
He emphasised the importance of responsible journalism, informed citizenship and the protection of freedom of expression while confronting fake news.
Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Mallam Jibrin Baba Ndace, urged journalists to uphold professionalism and factual reporting in the face of increasing misinformation and unregulated online content.
In his remarks, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, praised DICAN for creating a platform to strengthen dialogue on diplomacy and media practice.
“The media remains a vital partner in promoting constructive dialogue, transparency, accountability and international cooperation among nations,” he said.
He added that diplomatic journalism plays an important role in shaping public understanding of foreign policy and promoting Nigeria’s image globally.
A major highlight of the conference was the launch of the Nigerian Fact Check and Information Integrity Network alongside public awareness campaigns carrying messages such as “Verify Before You Share” and “Truth Matters: Build a Stronger, Safer Society.”
Awards were also presented to individuals and organisations recognised for contributions to democracy, diplomacy, peacebuilding and information integrity. Recipients included former President Jonathan, the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution.
At the close of the conference, participants urged governments, media organisations, civil society groups and security institutions to sustain cooperation in combating disinformation and promoting responsible communication.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has uploaded the details of 27 governorship candidates and their running mates to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Candidate Nomination Portal (ICNP) ahead of the August 8 deadline.
The party has also uploaded the particulars of more than 60 per cent of its candidates contesting seats in the various State Houses of Assembly.
Findings indicated that the APC’s ICT department has completed the upload for candidates in 27 of the 28 states conducting governorship elections, with disagreement over the deputy governorship slot in one North-West state delaying the final submission.
A source on the APC National Working Committee (NWC) Vetting Committee, chaired by Hon. Jibrin Bancir, disclosed that 15 of the 16 incumbent governors seeking re-election had been cleared and uploaded to the portal.
Also uploaded were the details of 12 first-time governorship candidates and their running mates, including Obafemi Hamzat (Lagos), Solomon Adeola (Ogun), Ogundu Kingsley Chinda (Rivers), Eric Opah (Abia), Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi), Mustapha Gubio (Borno), Jamilu Gwamna (Gombe), Ahmed Aliyu Wadada (Nasarawa) and Baba Malam Wali (Yobe).
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a member of the vetting committee said the party had made substantial progress in meeting the electoral commission’s deadline.
“We have made giant strides in our efforts to upload the details of all our governorship candidates and their deputies. In fact, but for one state, we would have completed and closed the process for governorship candidates,” the source said.
The source attributed the delay to the unresolved choice of a deputy governorship candidate in a North-West state.
“The delay is caused by the deputy governorship candidate. We have been told that the issue will be resolved at a crucial stakeholders’ meeting scheduled for Monday here in Abuja,” the official added.
On the nomination of state assembly candidates, the source said the party had overcome initial technical challenges on INEC’s portal and had successfully uploaded the particulars of more than 60 per cent of its candidates.
“Despite the initial delay due to technical issues from the electoral umpire, our ICT personnel kept scanning and filling the details of our State Houses of Assembly candidates,” the source stated. “It was easy for us to upload immediately INEC opened the portal for sub-national lawmakers.
“Recall that our party completed the uploading of our Presidential and National Assembly candidates within record time. We are fully set to ensure that details of all 28 governorship candidates, their deputies, and the 990 state legislative nominees are uploaded well before the August 8 deadline.”
Under Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, political parties must strictly comply with statutory timelines to submit candidate lists along with affidavits and personal declarations (Forms EC9 and EC9A through EC9E).
The digital portal—which opened at 9:00 a.m. on July 18—will automatically lock at 6:00 p.m. on August 8, leaving no room for manual submissions or post-deadline extensions.
The Nigerian Army has arrested a soldier who was recently declared wanted over his alleged involvement in the illegal sale and supply of military uniforms to terrorists and other criminals.
The suspect, Private Mohammed Yusuf of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Kits Factory, Lagos, was arrested on Sunday by troops of the 7 Provost Group, the Acting Media Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), Capt. Mohammed Goni, said in a statement.
According to Goni, the soldier was apprehended at Jidari Bus Stop in Maiduguri while attempting to flee to the Republic of Cameroon.
He said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect absconded from his unit on July 7, 2026, and subsequently relocated to Maiduguri, where he reportedly went into hiding in the Gomari Costain area of Jere Local Government Area with the assistance of an associate.
“The arrest underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-driven operations and the Nigerian Army’s unwavering commitment to holding personnel accountable for actions that undermine military ethics, discipline and national security,” Goni said.
He added that the suspect is currently in the custody of the 7 Provost Group, where further investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of his activities and identify other individuals who may have been involved.
Goni reiterated that there is no safe haven for anyone who supports terrorism or any form of criminality, regardless of their status.
He said the military remains committed to upholding professionalism, accountability and the highest standards of integrity in the conduct of ongoing counter-insurgency operations.
The Army also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that public cooperation remains vital to restoring lasting peace and security across the theatre of operations.
News
PHOTOS: Jay-Jay Okocha’s Daughter, Daniella, Shares Photos From Bachelorette Party in Greece Ahead of Wedding
Daniella, the daughter of legendary Nigerian football icon Austin “Jay-Jay” Okocha, has shared stunning photos from her bachelorette party held in Rhodes, Greece, as she celebrates the next chapter of her married life.
Taking to social media, Daniella gave fans a glimpse of the fun-filled getaway with her close friends, describing the experience as unforgettable.
“Hen Do dump. I had the best time with my girls,” she captioned the photos.
The picturesque celebration featured moments of laughter, relaxation, and festivities as Daniella and her friends enjoyed the scenic Greek island ahead of her wedding celebrations.
Daniella and her husband, Leonard Okorocha, got engaged in November 2025, with the announcement attracting congratulatory messages from family, friends, and admirers.
The couple later formalised their union by holding both their traditional marriage and civil wedding earlier this year.
Her latest post from Greece has since drawn warm reactions from fans and well-wishers, many of whom congratulated the couple and wished them a happy and successful married life.
See photos below:
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