Ben Ogbemudia, Abuja
The Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa has uncovered yet another instance of deliberate misinformation orchestrated by the former governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and his media machinery.
According to Mr. John Mayaki, Country Director, Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa, in a press statement he personally signed and made available to journalists in Abuja, contrary to the misleading reports being circulated, the World Bank has not endorsed the Edo Basic Education Sector Transformation (EdoBEST) programme.
“The truth is buried within the very document Obaseki and his cohorts are flaunting—a disclaimer on page two clearly states that the report does not represent the views of the World Bank, its Board of Executive Directors, or the governments they represent.”
The disclaimer unequivocally reads:
“This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank with external contributions. The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of The World Bank, its Board of Executive Directors, or the governments they represent.”
Furthermore, the World Bank’s official position, as stated on its website, reinforces this:
“The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or currency of the data included in this work and does not assume responsibility for any errors, omissions, or discrepancies in the information, or liability with respect to the use of or failure to use the information, methods, processes, or conclusions set forth.”
This revelation according to Mayaki exposes the dishonest tactics of the former governor, who has been aggressively spinning a narrative that the World Bank endorsed EdoBEST and recommended it as a model for other low-income countries. Nothing could be further from the truth. The report in question is merely the personal work of a World Bank staff member, Martín E. De Simone, with contributions from external parties. It does not carry the institutional endorsement of the World Bank, its management, or its Executive Directors.
“The Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa strongly condemns this act of misinformation. It is deeply troubling that individuals entrusted with leadership continue to manipulate facts and deceive the public for political gain. Edo people deserve better than the propaganda being peddled by the Obaseki camp.
“We call on all media houses to act responsibly by accurately reporting the facts and not allowing themselves to be used as conduits for misinformation. EdoBEST may have had its merits, but the attempt to falsely attribute an endorsement from the World Bank is nothing short of intellectual fraud.”
