Clerics Take Frontline Role as Gombe Hosts Workshop to Tackle Fake News Ahead of Elections

Clerics Take Frontline Role as Gombe Hosts Workshop to Tackle Fake News Ahead of Elections

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

Islamic clerics in Gombe State have been urged to take a leading role in combating misinformation and strengthening media literacy, as stakeholders convened for a two-day workshop aimed at promoting fact-checking and building resilient communities.

The workshop, organised by Alkalanci, brought religious leaders, journalists, and communication experts together to address the growing threat of false narratives, particularly as Nigeria approaches another election cycle.

Delivering his welcome address, Editor of Alkalanci Magazine, Alhasan Bala, described the gathering as both timely and crucial, warning that misinformation and disinformation are expected to intensify in the lead-up to elections. He noted that emerging technologies such as AI-generated content and deepfakes are making it increasingly difficult to distinguish between truth and falsehood.

Bala stressed that the rapid spread of information through social media has created a situation where misleading content can reach thousands within minutes, posing serious risks to peace, unity, and public trust. According to him, the workshop was designed specifically for Islamic clerics due to their influence in shaping public opinion.

“Your sermons and teachings guide millions. With that influence comes the responsibility to ensure that the information you share is accurate, verified, and beneficial,” he said.

Bala further explained that Alkalanci has been at the forefront of promoting verification and media literacy in the Hausa language, adding that similar training has already been conducted in Kano and Sokoto, with ongoing engagements extending beyond Nigeria to the neighbouring Niger Republic.

He acknowledged that even respected leaders and preachers can unknowingly spread false information, describing it as a reflection of how deeply misinformation has penetrated society. He said the training would equip participants with practical tools to verify texts, images, and videos, while also encouraging a culture of critical thinking within their communities.

“Our goal is not just to teach tools, but to build a mindset where people pause, reflect, and verify before sharing information,” Bala added.

The event also received royal endorsement from the Emir of Gombe, Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III, who was represented by Dan Amana Gombe, Alhaji Ismaila Abubakar. In his remarks, the Emir appreciated the organisers for bringing such a timely and impactful initiative to Gombe State and commended their efforts to promote truth and responsible communication in society.

He urged the participating clerics to make practical use of the knowledge gained from the training in their mosques, schools, and wider communities, stressing that religious leaders have a crucial role to play in guiding the public away from falsehood and harmful narratives.

Speaking at the event, the president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Alhassan Yahya, emphasised the importance of the workshop, noting that misinformation has increasingly found its way into religious spaces.

He expressed concern that some clerics rely on unverified content sourced from social media during Friday sermons and daily prayers, a trend he said could mislead followers and deepen societal divisions.

Yahya called for greater collaboration between journalists and religious leaders to ensure accurate information dissemination, stressing that both groups share a responsibility to uphold truth and promote social cohesion.

Other dignitaries at the workshop included academics, media executives, and government officials, all of whom stressed the importance of proactive measures to counter fake news and foreign information manipulation.

Participants are expected to undergo intensive sessions on fact-checking techniques, media literacy, and strategies for identifying manipulated content, with the aim of empowering them to serve as ambassadors of truth within their communities.

The organisers expressed optimism that the initiative would expand to more states, creating a nationwide network of informed and vigilant community leaders capable of resisting misinformation and safeguarding public discourse.