The Akloji of Adogbe, Chief Idoko Okenyodo, has joined key national stakeholders in Abuja for a high-level engagement focused on combating misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech while strengthening community-driven peacebuilding efforts across Nigeria. The event was held at the conference hall of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD West Africa) on Monday, 20th April 2026.
Chief Okenyodo, who also serves as Chairman of the Community Dialogue Committee (CDC) in Akweya land, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, was among traditional leaders and development actors present at the strategic meeting.
The one-day engagement, themed “From Awareness to Action: Sustaining Community-Led Response to Misinformation, Disinformation and Hate Speech in Nigeria,” brought together representatives from security agencies, government institutions, development partners, and traditional institutions. It was convened by the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) in partnership with UK International Development, SPRiNG, and Tetra Tech.
The meeting also marked the close-out and dissemination of findings from the Strengthening Information Literacy and Social Cohesion (StILAC) initiative, implemented across Plateau, Benue, Kaduna, and Katsina states.
Participants reviewed the impact of the project and explored ways to deepen grassroots engagement in countering harmful narratives that threaten social cohesion and national stability.
Speaking at the event, representatives of UN Women emphasised the importance of trust, inclusivity, and the active involvement of traditional rulers and women in sustaining peacebuilding efforts. They noted that community ownership remains central to effective responses to misinformation.
Security and public institutions, including the National Orientation Agency and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, highlighted the growing role of misinformation and hate speech in fueling insecurity, stressing the need for coordinated action at the community level.
Traditional leaders present commended the initiative for its positive impact, noting improvements in how communities identify and respond to false information. Chief Okenyodo’s participation underscores the commitment of Akweya leadership to promoting dialogue, truth, and peaceful coexistence.
According to programme insights shared at the meeting, the initiative engaged over 500 participants across 12 communities between August 2025 and March 2026, improving local capacity to verify information and counter harmful narratives. However, stakeholders also identified challenges such as limited youth participation and gaps between awareness and action.
Experts at the event called for stronger behavioural change strategies, expanded youth engagement, and sustained investment in community-based structures like the Community Dialogue Committees.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to scaling up community-led interventions as Nigeria approaches future electoral cycles, with stakeholders agreeing that resilient communities remain the frontline defence against misinformation and conflict.
For Akweya land, the presence of Chief Idoko Okenyodo signals a growing alignment with national efforts to build informed, peaceful, and cohesive communities.
