Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, on Monday, flagged off the Renewed Hope Light Up Project in Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State, targeting 42,000 households across the 13 electoral wards of the constituency with solar light. He also distributed 26 power transformers to the Wards to connect communities to the national grid of electricity. Commissioning the solar lights, which marked the second phase of the project, the Deputy Speaker who represents the constituency at the National Assembly described access to power as the pressing need of the people uncovered during a constituency-wide needs assessment.…

…Ndukwe hails contract for restoration of Alayi-Item power grid The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has described the second phase of his Light Up Bende project as “a renewed commitment to development”. Kalu expressed delight to have advanced the Renewed Hope Light Project to its second phase with the distribution of 26 electricity transformers and 40,000 home solar panels across the 13 wards of Bende Federal Constituency. The Deputy Speaker said that access to electricity is fundamental to economic growth, improved livelihoods and sustainable community development. He stressed that it is on the above…

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has described the massive crowd at the venue in Kaduna, where the All Progressives Congress (APC) officially flung off its campaigns ahead of the 2027 elections, as a statement of shared purpose. Kalu, who is the Director-General of Presidential Campaign Council 11 (South), joined President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and other distinguished leaders, stakeholders, and members of APC to flag off the campaign. Reacting to the turnout, Kalu said that “Kaduna came alive, and the energy was electric. The crowd demonstrated their resolve to consolidate the gains…

A man in his early 30s identified as Mr Chima Emmanuel from Abakiliki Ebonyi State who resides has reportedly killed, dismembered and dumped his girlfriend, Miss Mmesoma Umeora in a bush. The suspect who resides at umunocha Awalasi village in Uga town, Aguata LGA of Anambra State was arrested by men of operation udogachi vilante on Friday, four days after he killed the deceased, right in her own home town. Miss Umeora who hailed from Awalasi village, Uga has been missing since Friday last week without any trace. DrumAfricanews reports that security personnel swung into action and that was how…

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has rallied support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, as he reaffirmed the commitment of the leaders towards consolidating the Renewed Hope Agenda come 2027. Kalu, who spoke at the commissioning of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement National Secretariat in Abuja on Friday, described the event as an investment in public engagement and an enduring relationship between leadership and the people, stressing that leadership finds its deepest meaning when it brings hope within the reach of ordinary people. On the reaffirmed commitment, Kalu said that the…

By Samuel Okenyi 23/10/2026 Politics rewards those who deliver, and Bende has a rare asset: one of its own sits as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. That is the second most powerful seat in the lower chamber of the National Assembly, and it puts Bende at the table where national decisions are made. Ndi Bende should ask a simple question: why trade a proven, well-placed representative for a newcomer who would start from zero? A fresh lawmaker spends years learning the House, building alliances and earning influence. Bende already has a representative with that influence, and he is…

A bill seeking for an Act to establish a comprehensive framework for deceased organ and tissue donation and transplantation in Nigeria, while protecting donors, recipients, families and the integrity of the transplantation system has passed through second reading on Wednesday at the House of Representatives plenary. The proposed legislation titled, “Bill for an Act to Establish a National Deceased Organ and Tissue Donation Program for the Federal Republic of Nigeria; to Provide for the Identification, Referral, Authorisation, Recovery, Preservation, Allocation and Transplantation of Organs and Tissues From Deceased Persons; to Establish the National Organ Donation and Transplantation Authority; to Provide…

The House of Representatives at plenary on Wednesday passed through second reading a bill seeking for an Act to move the nation beyond dependence on imported technology towards developing its own capacity to design, manufacture and commercialise drones. According to a statement by Udora Orizu, SA Press Affairs to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, the proposed legislation titled, “Bill for an act to provide for the development, promotion and industrialisation of the nigerian drone industry; and for related matters,” was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu and 12 others. She added that When put…

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, held a crucial meeting with the Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, to deliberate on the task ahead and align on the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign strategy. After the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), under the leadership of its Director-General, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, held its inaugural meeting at the PCC Headquarters in Abuja ahead of Saturday’s rally, DrumAfricanews reports that the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), under the leadership of its Director-General, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, held its inaugural meeting at the PCC Headquarters in Abuja…

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu, received a delegation led by Christina Scott, DG Network UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), alongside the newly appointed British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Pete Vowels, and other officials, on a working visit to the House of Representatives. The Deputy Speaker, while explaining the focal point of their discussion during the visit, said that their discussions focused on the ongoing constitutional review process, particularly the state police and the Reserved Seats Bill for women, preparations for the forthcoming elections, and the implementation of the new Electoral Act.…