BIG DATA FACT-CHECKING: Is BBNaija Really Taking Over Peter Obi’s Virtual Movement Ahead of the 2023 Presidential Election?

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July 26, 2022

The fact that Mr. Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate for the Labour Party in the 2023 election, left the largest opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party, on May 24, 2022, is no longer a breaking news story. The fact that the bulk of Nigerian youths have been supporting him on social media is therefore not breaking news. Peter Obi informed Senator Iyorchia Ayu, the PDP’s national chairman, in a letter saying he was resigning from the party due to changes within the party that prevented him from continuing to play a role and contribute positively. He further stated that: “Our national challenges are deep-rooted and require that we each make profound sacrifices towards rescuing our country.”

Claim

Meanwhile, as the LP’s candidate continues to garner considerable virtual support, a former presidential media advisor to President Goodluck Jonathan has claimed that social media support, particularly on Twitter, will be absorbed by Big Brother Naija, a popular reality TV show. The show began on Saturday, July 23 and Sunday, July 24, 2022. It is scheduled to run for 72 days. Mr Reno Omokri made his claim in the context of the show’s popularity among Nigerian youths. According to him, “In less than 24 hours, there has been an abrupt shift from Peter Obi to #BBNaija. For the first time in months, nothing about Obi is on Twitter’s top 10 trends. While others were building structures on the ground, Peter was fooling Obidients online. Oya, insult me!”

In line with his expectations, a number of tweeps reacted to his comment negatively. One of the tweeps said “#BBNaija hashtag will top the trend table for 12 weeks straight. Infiltrate it with Peter Obi’s fliers and posters. Keep Obi on their faces.” Another Twitter user advised young people to take advantage of the programme and include the presidential candidate’s hashtag in their BBNaija tweets in order to make him more popular as the 72-day show progresses. This looks to be a technique to maintain support for Mr. Peter Obi. “Dear Obidient Nigerian youths #BBNaija has started, and we all know it comes with super-trending topics. We must be more radical to keep the gospel of PETER OBI ahead of all trends.” Several other tweeps also aligned with this direction of pushing the presidential candidate to the public in real time during the show. “We will not be distracted by BBNaija We will not be distracted by BBNaija We will not be distracted by BBNaija We will not be distracted by BBNaija. In the middle of BBNaija, we will stay focused on Peter Obi and continue to press…”

Verdict

As Twitter users continue to respond to Mr Reno Omokri, our analyst investigates the claims using Google Trends, which normalizes public interest across time on a specific topic or term. The analysis was done in respect to the digital popularity of other candidates among netizens. The level of interest in the three major presidential contenders and the reality program was 3,885 between May 24 and July 26, 2022 (7am). Mr Peter Obi captured the attention of netizens with 58.40 percent of the total volume. Senator Bola Tinubu (16.74%) and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar came after him (15.31%). Netizens’ enthusiasm in the reality TV show has waned (9.80%). It was also revealed that the more people were interested in Peter Obi, the less they were interested in the TV reality show and other candidates.

A day-by-day analysis, however, indicates a range of outcomes. In comparison to other contestants and BBNaija, Peter Obi garnered 42.85% of the public’s interest on May 24, 2022. When the TV reality show premiered on July 23, 2022, it fell to 22.95 percent. The reality show benefits from the launch date. Analysis shows that the audience was more interested in the show than the candidates. For the date, the show attracted more than 68% of 122 volume of attention. With 22.95%, Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party trailed the contest, with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president and candidate for the People’s Democratic Party, coming in third. The candidates and show generated no attention between July 24 and July 25, 2022. According to our analyst, the lack of interest may be related to the public’s focus shifting to the release of additional victims of the terrorist attack on the Abuja-Kaduna Train. Our check reveals that Twitter and Facebook were primarily utilized to discuss the release and criticize the federal government for failing to ensure the safety of citizens nationwide.

Exhibit 1: Public Interest in Presidential Candidates and the TV Reality Show Overtime

Source: Google Trends, 2022; Infoprations Analysis, 2022

Given the emerging insights and the fact that Mr Peter Obi’s popularity cannot be established within regions of decrease and growth using the programme alone, our analyst predicts that Mr Reno Omokri’s claim will not hold significantly over the 72-day run of the TV reality show. The data in Exhibit 2 strengthens this position even further. According to the data, for the next 60 days (beginning July 26, 2022), Mr Peter Obi’s and other candidates’ virtual mobility will be diminishing and increasing in accordance with events that unfold as a result of the program, as well as other predicted and unexpected events. The projection favours the People’s Democratic Party candidate over others (see Exhibit 2).

Exhibit 2: Projected public interest in the next 60 days

Top Five Performing Nigerian Tech Startups In Q1 2022 On Funds Raised

By

Ojukwu Emmanuel

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July 25, 2022

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Nigeria’s tech ecosystem has no doubt become the envy of its continental rivals due to the significant success of tech startups in the country.

Last year these startups attracted up to 35% of funding for African startups. The country has achieved an unprecedented milestone in its tech ecosystem as vibrant tech-savvy youths continue to create products and services that address the myriad of problems that the not just Nigeria but the African continent is faced with.

From Fintech, and Proptech to Edtech, young innovators in the country continue to break new grounds. It is interesting to note that these tech startups have only scratched the surface, because with new talents emerging in technology, more startups will emerge that will provide solutions to long-old problems.

There is no disputing the fact that Nigeria is gradually becoming a major tech hub in terms of startup generators which has become a preferred location for investors and entrepreneurs to invest and launch new projects.

This year, startups in the country have accumulated close to $1 billion in the first quarter. With 90% of Nigeria’s startup funding coming from Fintech which has the most unicorns in Africa.

Check Out The List Of Top Five (5) Performing Nigerian Tech Startups In Q1 2022

1.) Flutterwave -($250 Million)

Fintech company that provides payment infrastructure for global merchants and payment service providers across the continent, flutterwave which is currently the largest startup company in Africa.

The fintech startup has processed over 200 million transactions worth more than $16bn dollars in 34 African countries. Last year, the company raised $170m in a Series C round.

In February earlier this year, it raised another $250 million in its single-best funding round to date, which saw its valuation rise to over $3 billion as it targets mergers and acquisitions with a rapidly growing existing customer base.

2.) Moove -($105 Million)

Global mobility fintech that provides revenue-based vehicle financing to mobility entrepreneurs globally, Moove raised $105 million in an oversubscribed series A2 round to scale to seven new markets across Asia, and Europe over the next six months.

Launched in 2020 with its credit scoring system, the company constantly seeks to provide mobility entrepreneurs with revenue-based financing in markets where there is low access to credit.

Since its launch, Moove has rapidly extended operations to other African countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa, as well as the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.

3.) Thrive Agric -($56.4 Million)

Agricultural technology startup that provides access to finance, premium markets, and data-driven advisory for smallholder farmers, Thrive Agric has secured $56.4 million in debt funding from commercial banks and institutional investors in March this year.

The startup company also received a $1.75 million co-investment grant from West Africa Trade and investment, which is funded by USAID.

This new investment will enable the company to expand its 200,000 farmer base as well as entering new markets in Africa. The startup also aims to build the largest network of profitable African farmers.

4.) Reliance Health -($40 Million)

Reliance Health, a startup company that uses technology to make healthcare more affordable and accessible, which uses both vital concepts so that users can get access to an integrated suite of healthcare products via subscriptions.

In February this year, the startup company completed a $40 million Series B funding round led by General Atlantic, a leading global growth equity investor.

5.) Credpal -($15 Million)

Credpal, a financial technology startup that allows businesses and individuals to buy anything and pay later in installments across online and offline merchants by providing them with instant access to credit at the point of checkout.

The company which is believed to be one of the earliest pioneers of ‘buy now, pay later’ services in Nigeria, closed a bridge round of $15 million in equity and debt in March this year to expand its consumer credit offerings across Africa.

WHO Declares Monkeypox A Global Health Emergency

By

Samuel Nwite

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July 25, 2022

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As covid subsides, monkeypox beckons. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared monkeypox a global health emergency, signaling a potential fresh global health crisis on the heels of the pandemic.

Rattled by the rising number of cases around the world, the WHO issued the declaration at the end of the second meeting of its emergency committee on the monkeypox virus.

“Having considered the views of Committee Members and Advisors as well as other factors in line with the International Health Regulations, the Director-General has determined that the multi-country outbreak of monkeypox constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern,” the WHO said in a statement.

The UN health arm is apparently seeking prompt response to the virus to curtail the possibility of it spreading like covid.

Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus, which comes from the lineage of viruses such as smallpox. But it spreads significantly slower than other viruses and has low infection chances.

However, the upsurge of monkeypox cases shows the virus needs to be taken seriously. The WHO director general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said more than 16,000 cases have now been reported from 75 countries, and there had been five deaths so far as a result of the outbreak.

Although early assessment shows moderate spread of the virus it also shows signs of potential wider contagion. The emergency committee had been unable to reach a consensus on whether the monkeypox should be classified as a global health emergency, according to Dr Tedros.

However, he said the outbreak had spread around the world rapidly and he had decided that it was indeed of international concern.

Too little was understood about the new modes of transmission which had allowed it to spread, said Dr Tedros.

“The WHO’s assessment is that the risk of monkeypox is moderate globally and in all regions, except in the European region, where we assess the risk as high,” he added.

There was also a clear risk of further international spread, although the risk of interference with international traffic remained low for the moment, he said.

The declaration also comes with recommendations. The WHO, building on covid’s safety structure, outlined preventive measures that include establishing and intensifying epidemiological disease surveillance, including access to reliable, affordable and accurate diagnostic tests, for illness compatible with monkeypox as part of existing national surveillance systems.

In addition, the WHO urged the authorities to activate or establish health and multi-sectoral coordination mechanisms to strengthen all aspects of readiness for responding to monkeypox and stop human to human transmission, and also raise awareness about monkeypox virus transmission to quell the stigma that may prevent infected persons from seeking medical help.

Dr Tedros said the declaration would help speed up the development of vaccines and the implementation of measures to limit the spread of the virus.

“This is an outbreak that can be stopped with the right strategies in the right groups,” he said.

The world is now facing three global health crises at once. Covid, which although has subsided, is still spreading through emerging variants. Polio, which the WHO has been battling to contain and monkeypox.

The Next Tekedia Capital Investment Cycle Begins Next Month

By

Ndubuisi Ekekwe

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July 25, 2022

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Tekedia Capital invests in technology-anchored early stage startups and companies. Our opportunity antenna and grassroot connections with innovators enable us to see patterns as they develop. We invite you to partner with us as we nurture and build category-king companies in Africa and beyond, and in the process advance citizens, communities and nations. At Tekedia Capital, we fund the foundations of the NEXT African economy. Register and join us here.

Tobi Amusan’s Victory at the 2022 World’s Athletic Championships: From Denial to Global Record Breaking

By

Tiamiyu Ismail

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July 25, 2022

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Earlier, this morning, the name Tobi Amusan had captured the air with pervading euphoria, following Nigeria’s outstanding performance at the 2022 world’s Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon. Tobi Amusan, a Nigerian female sprinter broke a lifetime jinx as she clinched a gold medal at the women’s 100m hurdles final and emerged the first ever Nigerian Athlete in history to win a world title at the World Athletics Championships.

The Nigerian hurdle sprinter who has suddenly become a wide-reaching internet sensation also broke a six-year-old record of 12.20 seconds held by Keni Harrison by finishing at 12.12 seconds in the semi finals.

Records show that Tobi’s victory is not a flash in the pan. The Nigerian 25-years-old University of Texas graduate has been on her journey to stardom for over a period of ten years now. In a twit posted on her twitter page six years ago, Tobi Amusan had said she was going to set a record that would make her name unforgettable in history, and she indeed has worked towards making her dream a reality.

From a story of shocking denial of her capability due to a failed time-machine in the Olympics Trials in Nigeria, Tobi has rewritten her story on the global stage, casting her shadow to be larger than life.

Last year, during the finals of the Olympics Trials of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria which held at the Yaba College of Technology in Lagos, Tobi Amusan was denied the chance to break a 23-years-old record held by Gloria Alozie due to the faulty electronic timer.

She’d won comfortably but the electronic timer failed to display the time at the end of the race. The hand timer which was eventually deployed showed she won the race in time of 12.3 seconds which would have supplanted Alozie’s 12.44 seconds that was set in 1998.

However, since the world athletics only recognises the electronic timing device, her record was denied. It was a big disappointment for her and many of her fans who had anticipated to see her set a new African record in the women’s hurdles event.

This year came with a huge compensation for Tobi Amusan on a global stage as she set the record far away from Nigeria.

Asked about how she felt about her winning, Amusan said, even though she’d always believed in her abilities, she did not expect a world record at this championship. According to her,

“It’s a dream come true. I knew I had it in me, but I could not believe it when I saw it on the screen after the semis. But it was just a matter of time.”

Nigeria finished at overall 13th position in the championship, following Amusan’s gold medal in the 100m women hurdles and Ese Brume’s silver medal in the long jump.

BIG DATA FACT-CHECKING: Is BBNaija Really Taking Over Peter Obi’s Virtual Movement Ahead of the 2023 Presidential Election?

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