In the news this week

From the Nigeria news two items to ponder.

In the Lagos area, text messages have been flying similar to this:

“Tell your loved ones and anybody you know. Apple is now a poisonous fruit to eat. All the ones imported into the country currently are contaminated and have been killing people. The statistics is nation wide and increasing. This message is from NAFDAC. It is not a rumour”.

Just the sort of rumor that once started spreads like wildfire. In a country where the newspapers have very little credibility and the government less, there's no stopping it. In a recent incident regarding contaminated baby medicine the government first denied the problem and only later admitted many children had been sickened.

The second news item is just mind boggling. The government has been offering money and retraining to militants who turn in their weapons. This has brought in tons of rusted obsolete weapons and a few militants. As for the training, the first class of 298 has graduated. Quoting the government.

"The ex-militants received training in mechanics, music, football, computer applications, seafaring and drama."

I'm a bit concerned that this flood of trained thespians may overwhelm the drama industry, and are we sure these newly trained footballers will understand that it's actually a game? No shooting or kidnapping on the pitch please.

It's all a big strain on my incredulity circuits but they are holding for now. Makes me think about this phenomenon of a country with 21st century communications and no trusted sources of information. Sort of like where America is heading.