Foundation Inaugurates Verification Experts to Promote Accurate Information in Southwest
...Provides Tools To Fight False Information
By: Oguntoye Sodiq
The BO Foundation for Inclusive Media (BOFIM) has inaugurated and equipped a new generation of verification experts with the tools to combat false narratives that undermine social cohesion in Southwest Nigeria.
The training was held to empower journalists, human rights defenders, and disability rights advocates with the skills and tools to combat misinformation, verify facts, and uphold community truth.
Following series of three months virtual training sessions that began on January 15, the landmark inauguration event took place on March 20 at White Plain Hall, Osogbo, Osun State.
The hands-on training exposed participants to verification tools such as Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) tools, digital verification techniques, and ethical fact-checking methods, allowing them to conduct deep verification, track digital footprints, and detect manipulated content to protect the public from the dangers of false information.
In a welcome address, the Executive Director, Blessing Oladunjoye, said the project is an embodiment of a shared commitment to truth, accountability, and social inclusion.
She expressed her heartfelt appreciation to everyone who contributed to making this project a reality, from trainers who led the training sessions virtually to each participant who chose to be part of this journey.
“Your dedication reaffirms our belief that together, we can make a difference. We are most grateful to WITNESS for their support, without which we wouldn’t have imagined embarking on this journey,” she added.
As she officially launched The Verifiers, she described it as more than just a network, calling it a movement that will reshape the information landscape.
“The power to challenge falsehoods, restore trust, and protect the truth now rests in your hands,” she said.
She charged the empowered verifiers to identify and address false narratives, particularly those that undermine democracy, human rights, and social inclusion.
Oladunjoye, however, enjoined the empowered verifiers to remain committed to the values of accuracy, fairness, and inclusivity, actively engage, learn rigorously, and collaborate passionately because the fight against misinformation requires collective effort and unwavering dedication.
Access to Accurate and Reliable Information: The Foundation of a Just and Informed Society
Oladunjoye, stated that access to accurate, reliable, and well-informed information is the foundation of a just and informed society.
The director made this known during her welcome address to trained verifiers and urged them to take a bold step that would strengthen the integrity of journalism, counter misinformation, and uphold community truth.
Oladunjoye said misinformation and disinformation have profound consequences, particularly in a society where marginalized voices, including persons with disabilities, are often misrepresented.
She disclosed that The Verifiers is more than just a training program—it is a community that will safeguard truth and ensure that the media landscape upholds the highest ethical standards.
The director added that the initiative aims to build a community of journalists, fact-checkers, and human rights defenders who will lead the charge in using OSINT tools, digital verification techniques, and ethical fact-checking methods to protect the public from the dangers of false information.
“We believe that access to accurate, reliable, and verified information is the foundation of a just and informed society.
Today, as we inaugurate the community of verification experts across Southwest Nigeria, we are taking a bold step toward strengthening the integrity of journalism, countering misinformation, upholding our community truth, and equipping a new generation of verification experts with the tools to combat false narratives.”
She added that The Verifiers is a dedicated community of fact-checkers and verification experts committed to truth, accuracy, and accountability.
The founder of ChatVE, Israel Olatubji urged participants to approach fact-checking with precision and diligence.
He demonstrated how to detect deep fakes and discussed the significance of ChatVE—an automated virtual assistant chatbot designed to bridge gaps between phone calls, emails, messaging, and bookings while enabling real-time fact-checking and client engagement.
Tijani also emphasized that ChatVE accelerates response times for validating or debunking critical events, leveraging a hybrid of AI and certified fact-checkers to verify claims at the speed of social media. He explained that the solution assigns unique digital fingerprints to debunked claims, preventing them from resurfacing online.
A data protection expert, John Eromosele also provided practical insights into data protection and essential IT skills for fact-checkers. He demonstrated how to use verification tools such as Yandex, TinEye, and reverse image search to assess the authenticity of digital content.
