By Fatima Muraina

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The Center for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) has trained 40 journalists on digital skills and fact-checking to curb the menace of misinformation.

The two days intensive training held in Akure, the Ondo state capital was targeted at  community based media houses, platforms  to give them necessary tools that will enable them carry out their assignments effectively.

The CJID Director of Programmes, Dr Akintunde Babatunde said the training was aimed at growing an army of fact checkers and particularly as the state moves towards its gubernatorial election period.

Babatunde who was represented by his Deputy Director, Mr Mboho Effong Eno said the training was extended to Ondo State to capture community journalists who are closer to the populace than some of the mega national platforms.

” Community platforms are most times left out. That is why we also said let’s bring this one to community platforms and also encourage them through capacity building,” he said,

“As we look up to election, we want to have a free, fair and transparent electoral process and that starts with journalists being able to put out information to the public that will help them in proper choice making as against information that just goes out without proper scrutiny which at the end of the day can just confuse citizens and then we begin to have leadership that is not totally the will of the people.”

While addressing the participants during the training , Babatunde charged them to step down whatever they have learned at the training to their fellow colleagues who were not opportuned to be trained to get a multiplier effect.

He called on Nigerians to ensure that any information that passes through the social media is accurate rather than spreading disinformation and misinformation, urging them to also help contribute to the security of Nigeria.

The state Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Prince Leke Adegbite expressed  appreciation for the gesture of getting his members trained and equipped on modern tools to make them better professionals .

Adegbite, who was represented by the Chairman of the state Correspondents Chapel , Mr Tosin Ajuwon assured on the full utilization of the training.