By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Barack Obama is the 44th President of the United States of America succeeded in office by the incumbent, Donald Trump. He is powerful for sure, being the first African-American to mount the throne of power after several years black race in 'the New World' struggled for it in vain.
Obama, originally from Kenya has never for once hide his love for Africa and Africans considering various projects he initiated in the continent when he was President if compared to his successor, a controversial man who has through some of his policies and utterances eschewed Africans from the country.
Therefore, it is not unlikely for people from the continent if not the whole world to desire to hear from him in this period of coronavirus pandemic. This is also because the disease broke out from China (although Asian country), average Africans see all as 'white people' who may have 'invented' it to wipe their continent (Africa).
Perhaps this entails why unknown persons capitalise on his relationship with his father's continent to disseminate latest rumour of him urging Africans not to accept coronavirus vaccines even when WHO consistently say it has not approved any for treatment or prevention of COVID-19.
Claims:
- Obama asked Africans to reject coronavirus vaccines from America and Europe.
- Coronavirus vaccines
Verification
Verifying the first claim, it was discovered that no such post exists even in an Instagram post purportedly made by Joelwewotshowadive whose link was attached to it (unless it has been deleted). The report did not also state where, how and when the former US President, Barack Obama made such a comment/statement.
Besides, the Instagram user posted only a picture of Obama in tears. A Reverse Image Search shows that the picture first appeared on some news websites on January 6, 2016. Again, the Instagram poster rather wrote in the comment section "Moi Joel wembo
Je serai comme @barackobama, je le crois." Google French to English translation interpreted the sentences as "Me Joel Wembo,""I will be like" @barackobama "I believe him."
"Vous qui traitez mes informations de fake news, je vous demande de ne pas tenir compte de ça, l'essentiel est le message qui en découle de la publication. DISONS NON AUX VACCINS. Google French to English translation interpreted it as " You who process my fake news information, I ask you to ignore this, the main thing is the message that follows from the publication. Say no to vaccine!"
A screenshot attached to the above post says "tout mensonge qui sert a une cause de l'humanite, est une verite peu importe, la qaulite de l'information, l'essentiel d'erre vigilant et_de_refus toute pique" translates by Google translator as "any lie which is used for a cause of humanity, is a truth whatever, the quality of the information, the essential of wandering wandering and of any refusal."
Similarly, the WhatsApp post ascribed to Obama is not also available on the verified Instagram, website and twitter handles of Obama. The former US president was rather using his social media accounts including emails to subscribers/fans to disseminate WHO recommended preventive measures and other people activities aimed at containing corona virus.
The report was mainly published by some blogs such as Afrikit, naijalitz and Nairaland (which later took it down). Obama, 44th President of United States of America is a public figure whose comment (s) may never go unnoticed by popular media platforms. However, none published the so-called comments ascribed to him. Even Zimfact in its latest factcheck on this claim found nothing showing that Obama told Africans to reject corona virus vaccines from America and Europe coming to Africa.
Unfortunately, inquiry sent to Obama through his website press comment section and email on April 3 with a reminder on April 6th had not been replied.
The second claim, Coronavirus vaccine (s) also sounds untrue because the World Health Organisation (WHO) has not certify any vaccine or drug for use in treating or preventing COVID-19. Dubawa earlier dismissed a similar claim which although focused on coronavirus immunisation .
Conclusion:
It is false. There is no vaccine for corona virus yet. And Obama never told Africans to reject or not accept corona virus vaccines from America and Europe coming to Africa.