Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

Media personality and talk show host, Chinedu Ani, popularly known as Nedu Wazobia, has addressed recent controversies surrounding his role on the Honest Bunch podcast. Speaking at a news conference on Thursday in Lagos, Nedu clarified that he was not fired but chose to step down due to mounting pressure and controversies. Nedu emphasised that everyone had the right to express their opinions and react to issues. However, he stressed that it ultimately boiled down to what the public wanted to believe. “Rather than engaging in petty fights, I have decided to clear the air by stepping away from the…

By Chinedu Omenma The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN) Aba and Convenor of the Forum of Southeast Professors (FOSEP), Professor Victor Ukaogo has urged his Kinsmen from Ozuitem in Bende Local Government in Abia State to emulate other communities around them and appreciate the good works being done by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu for the community. He was speaking to the press at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium, University of Nigeria Nsukka shortly after the morning session of the well attended international conference on Ethnicity…

Tensions flared during plenary on Monday as a dispute over seating arrangements led to a heated exchange between Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the senate leadership. The controversy began when Senator Natasha’s seat was relocated upon resumption of the session, but she refused to comply with the change. The Chief Whip, Senator Tahir Monguno, had raised a point of order, citing sections of the Senate rule book to justify the reassignment of seats. Monguno explained that the changes were necessary to accommodate shifts caused by some opposition members moving to the majority wing. The changes, he argued, are within the constitutional…

Controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has been granted bail by the Isabo Magistrate Court in Abeokuta following his arraignment on charges of assault and obstruction of government officials. Portable, who had earlier surrendered himself to the police at the Lagos State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) on Wednesday after being declared wanted by the Ogun State Command, was transferred to the Ogun State Police Headquarters, Eleweran, before being presented in court on Thursday. The singer faced a five-count charge, including conspiracy, assault, restriction, being armed with cutlasses and guns, and conduct likely to cause harm. He pleaded…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Dr. Saviour Enyiekere as the chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), marking a significant step in strengthening the administration of Nigeria’s legislative body. This was contained in a statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Thursday. Enyiekere, an environmental specialist and former Deputy Chief of Staff to the Senate President, will serve a five-year renewable term. In addition to the chairman’s appointment, President Tinubu also approved the selection of 12 commission members, with two representatives drawn from each of Nigeria’s six…

The Katsina State Hisbah Board has banned all nightclub activities across the state, citing Islamic principles and the need to uphold moral values. The Hisbah Commander-General, Dr Aminu Usman (Abu Ammar), announced this in a statement issued in Katsina on Wednesday. He stated that nightclub owners must shut down their establishments to curb immoral practices, protect societal values, and address security concerns in the state. “The board warned that violators would face strict penalties. Security agencies have been instructed to ensure full compliance with the order. “We are committed to building a morally upright society and ensuring peace and security…

Controversial Nigerian street pop singer Habeeb Okikiola Olalomi, popularly known as Portable, has been brought before the Isabo High Court in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The police had declared Portable wanted on February 18 over an alleged attack on three officials from the Ogun State Planning and Development Permit Authority (OGPDPA). After surrendering to the police in Lagos on Wednesday, Portable was transferred to the Ogun State Police Command and subsequently taken to court on Thursday. The incident in question occurred on February 5 when OGPDPA officials attempted to seal Portable’s bar due to lack of proper permits and insufficient airspace…

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has reiterated the troops’ commitment to securing Zamfara State, vowing that notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, would soon be eliminated. Oluyede said this in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital while briefing journalists at the Headquarters of Operation Fansan Yamma. He said the wanted terrorist has been on the run and should keep running. “Bello Turji is on the run as we speak and for everywhere he goes, we follow him there. Let him keep running, it is just a matter of time, he would be removed from the space,” the army…

The All Progressives Congress (APC), in Osun State has announced its withdrawal from the local government elections scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2025. The decision was communicated in a letter signed by the Osun APC Secretary, Alao Olabisi Kamoru, and addressed to the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, on Wednesday. The APC cited the recent Appeal Court judgment in Akure as the basis for its withdrawal, stating that the ruling had rendered the planned election unnecessary and unlawful. The letter referenced Appeal No. CA/AK/270/2022, which reinstated previously elected local government officials. The letter reads: “Recall that the judgment of…

Nigeria may face a tanker shortage as the Federal Government on Wednesday disclosed plans to ban 60,000- and 45,000-litre capacity trucks. While most tankers hauling petroleum products across the country are around 45,000 litres, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) said such capacity would be outlawed. Coming amidst rising tanker accidents that have been fueling deaths and the destruction of properties, NMDPRA issued an immediate ban on petroleum products tankers with a 60,000-litre capacity. In the absence of pipelines, Nigeria relies on tankers to haul petroleum products across the country, a development that has remained a menace…