Facebook’s parent company, Meta, said since 2016, it has quadrupled the size of its global teams working on safety and security to about 40,000 people and has invested more than $16 billion in teams and technology ahead of Nigeria’s elections.

Speaking on the steps it is taking to protect the integrity of the elections, it said it is also combating the spread of misinformation and making political advertising more transparent.

Its Head of Public Policy for Anglophone West Africa, Adaora Ikenze, who spoke during a media forum, said the steps also include over 15,000 content reviewers, who are located across the globe, in every major time zone. Collectively, these reviewers are able to review content in more than 70 languages- including Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa.

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This work, she said, will continue in the lead up to, during, and after voting and builds on Meta’s experience and learnings from supporting elections across sub-Saharan Africa and globally.

Adaora said: “We know we have an important responsibility when it comes to helping keep people safe during the elections. Using lessons from the past including input from experts and policymakers across the national spectrum; we’ve made substantial investments in people and technology to reduce misinformation, remove harmful content on our platforms, fight voter interference and promote civic engagement during the elections. We continue to work closely with election authorities and local partners in Nigeria to ensure we’re preparing for the specific challenges in Nigeria and taking appropriate steps to stay ahead of emerging threats.”

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) said it will begin a strike on December 8 over the non-payment of salaries by the Abia State Government.

In a communique after its meeting by Dr Abali Isaiah, Chairman and Dr Daniel Ekeleme, Secretary NMA, Abia branch observed that doctors working at ABSUTH and HMB are being owed between 21 to 25 months and 13 months’ salary arrears respectively.

“That the 21- day ultimatum approved by the National Executive Council (NEC) of NMA and given to ABSG on November 17, to clear the aforementioned salary arrears is currently in its 17th day.

“That ABSG is yet to show any serious commitment to the course.

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“That doctors working with ABSUTH and HMB are currently undergoing an untold hardship.”

While condemning the non-payment of doctors in ABSUTH and HMB, NMA said her ultimatum to Abia Government still stands and running.

The association insisted on the payment of what is owed doctors as a condition to avert the impending strike.

It insisted that failure to meet the above demands on or before December 8 would force all doctors in Federal, State, and private sectors in Abia State to proceed on total and indefinite strike.

Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Rivers State Command have engaged a kidnap syndicate in a gun duel at Okuru – Ama waterside in Port Harcourt.

The State Commandant, Michael Ogar, confirmed the development in a statement signed on Wednesday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Olufemi Ayodele.

Ogar said the gun battle with the suspected kidnappers lasted for over 25 minutes but that the hoodlums fled following the firepower of his men.

He, however, said the operatives searched their hideout and recovered 43 ammunition and some arms.

He said: “Following sustained intelligence on the activities of a kidnap syndicate hideout discovered at an uncompleted building located in Okuru-Ama waterside, our men swung into action and engaged the suspects in a gun battle for 25 minutes. They, however, escaped through the waterways when they discovered our men almost overpowered them.

“However, we were able to recover the following items at the scene of the occurrence; six AK rifle magazines, three Tavor gun magazines, 43 Tavor K2 ammunition, one breech block, some charms with animal horns, a wrist watch and an empty bag.

“Our men will continue to patrol the area as we enjoined the public not to relent in giving the command credible information that would lead to their arrests. You can be rest assured that the informants’ identities would be jealousy protected”.

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Ogar said 24 suspects were arrested for illegal dealings in petroleum products, attempted vandalism of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company Pipelines, conspiracy, advance fee fraud, illegal possession of ammunition, obtaining by false pretence and other criminal offences.

He said: “Let me assure the well-meaning people of Rivers State that with a renewed vigour, we will continue to fight against crimes and criminalities in the State.

“All the suspects will definitely have their time in court. Our goal is to make the environment conducive for business to thrive without mayhem, chaos, disturbance of peace or breakdown of law and order.

“We will continue to fight against oil theft and illegal oil bunkering activities to salvage the nation’s economy from saboteurs even as we solicit for the support and cooperation of the public by giving actionable intelligence and information that will assist us to nip in the bud all criminal acts so that the state can be a safe haven for all dwellers”.
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Leading All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Adamawa State Malam Nuhu Ribadu has withdrawn his challenge of the party’s ticket won by Senator Aishatu Dahiru (Binani), saying he will not approach the Supreme Court.

In a manner that warmed the hearts of many stakeholders in the party, Ribadu said that although he disagreed with the Appeal Court which reinstated Binani, he had resolved to work towards the victory of the party in the overall best interest.

Ribadu had gone to the Federal High Court following the APC governorship primary of May which produced Binani as the winner.

The High Court in its judgement annulled the primary and declared that the APC had no governorship candidate, a judgment which displeased every party to the case, including Ribadu.

Read Also: Court takes Ribadu, Binani’s appeals in Adamawa APC suit, reserves judgement

Ribadu, Binani and APC went to the Court of Appeal which last month returned Binani as the truly elected APC governorship candidate for Adamawa State.

Ribadu, the former pioneer chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had announced his intention to go to the Supreme Court.

But in a statement obtained by our correspondent on Wednesday, Ribadu announced his new decision to let the matter rest.

“We don’t agree with the Appeal Court judgement but I have no intention of dragging this any further. As a true party man, I call on my supporters not to despair but to remain faithful to our party.

‘’We should not let any setback affect our enthusiasm and support for our great party. I call on all my supporters to support all our candidate