THE International Center for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) has organised a capacity building seminar for staff and students of a secondary school in Abuja.

The event was held on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at Government Secondary School Wuse zone 3, Abuja.

Present at the event was Mary Ajibola, representative of the Director, Federal Capital Territory Secondary Education Board (FCT SEB).

Teachers and students were taken a through step by step guide on how to combat false news, identify phishing websites and how to archive claims online.

The editor, FactCheckHub, Opeyemi Kehinde, who also headed the facilitators, explained what could be said to be misinformation, disinformation and malformation.

He also stressed the need to cross check sources cited in a report .

The seminar emphasized the need to identify false news circulated on various platforms and how to fact check using the tools available.

Facilitators include Shehu Olayinka, head social media unit, Olugbenga Adanikin, head, Investigation unit, and Nurudeen Akewushola, a fact checker with the FactCheckHub.

Teachers and students at the event expressed gratitude to the organisers as they revealed it was an eye opening seminar.

A teacher, Suleiman Isah, said, “I like the methodology that you are using. It is very interactive and very good. It is an outstanding programme.”

Some of the students who spoke, also noted that the seminar has taught them not to be purveyors of false news and the need to always check sources of information obtained on social media platforms.

The principal, Funmilayo Kayode, also thanked the team for organising the training as she advised students to take advantage of the opportunity.

A programmes officer at The ICIR, Alfred Akerele, in his closing remarks, thanked the FCT education board and management of the school for the platform.