An article on the website Jamyco claims the World Bank has invited Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, to put his name on a new currency for Biafra.
Published on 31 October 2019, the article was shared on other news sites and on Facebook.
“Chima Nwagu, the founder and Chief Editor of Biafra daily news watch, has confirmed that the world bank president, David Robert Malpass invites the leader of Biafra movement worldwide, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to come and sign on new Biafra currency,” it says.
Biafra is a region in south-eastern Nigeria. Its secession in 1967 sparked a civil war, and sympathisers’ calls for its independence continue.
The story has not been covered by any credible news organisations, in Nigeria or internationally. And the link to “Biafra daily news watch” only returns an error page on Jamyco.
Africa Check asked the World Bank about the claim.
“The information citing the World Bank’s President inviting the leader of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, to sign a new Biafra currency is untrue,” a bank spokesperson told us in an email.
“The World Bank Group provides financing, policy advice, and technical assistance to governments of developing countries… In Nigeria, we work directly with the Government.”
Africa Check has previously debunked a number of false claims Jamyco has published about Biafra. – Jennifer Ojugbeli
Published on 31 October 2019, the article was shared on other news sites and on Facebook.
“Chima Nwagu, the founder and Chief Editor of Biafra daily news watch, has confirmed that the world bank president, David Robert Malpass invites the leader of Biafra movement worldwide, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to come and sign on new Biafra currency,” it says.
Biafra is a region in south-eastern Nigeria. Its secession in 1967 sparked a civil war, and sympathisers’ calls for its independence continue.
‘The information is untrue’
The story has not been covered by any credible news organisations, in Nigeria or internationally. And the link to “Biafra daily news watch” only returns an error page on Jamyco.
Africa Check asked the World Bank about the claim.
“The information citing the World Bank’s President inviting the leader of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, to sign a new Biafra currency is untrue,” a bank spokesperson told us in an email.
“The World Bank Group provides financing, policy advice, and technical assistance to governments of developing countries… In Nigeria, we work directly with the Government.”
Africa Check has previously debunked a number of false claims Jamyco has published about Biafra. – Jennifer Ojugbeli
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You can also help identify false information on Facebook. This guide explains how.
Further Reading
Governments in Africa have doubled ‘false news’ laws, to little effect. Another way is possible
Since 2016, the 11 countries we studied nearly doubled their laws and regulations on misinformation. There is little to show for it.
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