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.

N-HYPPADEC Donates Two Boreholes to Gombe Community Ahead of Major Water Intervention

By Auwal Ilyasu, Gombe

The National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) has donated two boreholes to the Dukku Local Government Area (LGA) of Gombe State as an immediate relief measure to address persistent water scarcity in the community.

The intervention comes ahead of a full-scale plan by the commission to rehabilitate and expand the Dukku water supply scheme, following a recent technical assessment of the area.

Gombe State Commissioner for Water, Environment, and Forest Resources, Mohammed Saidu Fawu, confirmed that the boreholes will be constructed at no cost to the state government, describing the move as a critical short-term response to the acute water challenges faced by residents.

According to him, the boreholes will be powered by hybrid systems, significantly reducing reliance on electricity and diesel and ensuring more sustainable access to water.

“This immediate intervention will go a long way in alleviating the suffering of the people. The cost of accessing water in Dukku is currently very high, with residents relying heavily on vendors transporting water over long distances,” Fawu stated.

He noted that the donation underscores the commission’s commitment to fast-tracking solutions while laying the groundwork for a long-term upgrade of the town’s water infrastructure.

Director of Operations at N-HYPPADEC, Engr. Ilyasu Abdullahi Wara, had earlier indicated that the commission is working towards a comprehensive intervention that will address the root causes of water scarcity in the area.

The planned project includes upgrading existing facilities, improving raw water intake from nearby sources, and expanding storage capacity to meet growing demand.

Wara emphasized that the commission is targeting rapid mobilization to the site within weeks, given the urgency of the situation and the need to act before the onset of the rainy season.

Chairman of Dukku LGA, Adamu Muhammad Waziri, alongside the Emir of Dukku, Alhaji Haruna Abdulkadir Rashid, commended N-HYPPADEC for the timely intervention, noting that the community has endured years of inadequate water supply.

Residents of Dukku largely depend on boreholes and water vendors, often at high cost, making the commission’s intervention a critical lifeline as efforts intensify to deliver a sustainable and long-term water solution.

Gombe Rises to No. 2 Nationwide in Fiscal Transparency Ranking

By Auwal Ahmad Umar

Gombe State has achieved a significant breakthrough in public sector governance, ranking second across Nigeria in the 2025 Subnational Audit Efficacy (SAE) Index released by the Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative.

This was contained in a press statement signed by Ismaila Uba Misilli, Director-General, Press Affairs, Government House Gombe, and made available to newsmen in Gombe on Sunday.

The ranking, published by the accountability-focused non-profit established in 2016, highlights Gombe as one of the country’s leading states in financial transparency and audit performance, scoring an impressive 68 per cent. The achievement marks a sharp leap from its previous 16th position, reflecting sustained improvements in fiscal oversight.

According to the report, the state recorded notable progress in strengthening the independence of its audit system. It noted that legal frameworks guiding public audits are now being effectively implemented, with the Office of the Auditor-General receiving funding directly from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. This arrangement, the report explained, enhances financial autonomy and reduces executive interference in audit processes.

The assessment further showed that improvements in audit systems at both the state and local government levels contributed significantly to the overall score, accounting for 55 per cent and 13 per cent, respectively.

A review of Gombe’s performance over time indicates a steady upward trajectory since 2019, aligning with governance reforms introduced under the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya. The reforms have focused on promoting transparency, prudent resource management, and a results-orientated public service.

Reacting to the latest ranking, the state government reaffirmed its commitment to deepening transparency and strengthening institutional frameworks to sustain the progress recorded.

“Over the years, Gombe State has continued to earn recognition in good governance, transparency, accountability and public sector reforms, reflecting our consistent commitment to institutional excellence,” the statement read.

It added that the new ranking further reinforces the state’s position as a model for fiscal discipline and accountable governance in Nigeria, with a continued focus on ensuring that public resources translate into tangible development outcomes for citizens.