Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

Panic gripped worshippers at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Inoyi, Affa, in Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State on Sunday morning after suspected armed kidnappers reportedly invaded the church premises and abducted a seminarian and other worshippers. The attack, which residents said occurred as parishioners gathered for Mass amid a downpour, threw the community into confusion as frightened worshippers fled for safety. In a video circulating online, some residents alleged that the attackers, believed to be at least seven in number, stormed the church and whisked away several worshippers, including a seminarian. According to the residents, those on their way…

…as Kalu donates buses to monarchs More endorsements have continued to pour in for the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and member representing Bende Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, ahead of the 2027 general elections, as traditional rulers and religious leaders across Bende have thrown their weight behind his bid for a third term. DrumAfricanews gathered that the latest endorsements came from the Umunna Traditional Rulers Council, comprising royal fathers from Item, Alayi, Igbere and Ezeukwu communities, as well as religious leaders from the Methodist Church during separate engagements with the Deputy Speaker on August 1. As…

Enugu State Government has launched a new television programme, Enugu to the World (ETTW), to showcase the state’s ongoing transformation, emerging investment opportunities and the people, policies and projects driving its development. The weekly 30-minute talk show and documentary-style current affairs programme provides an in-depth look at the transformation taking place across Enugu, with particular focus on infrastructure renewal, education and human capital development, healthcare, agriculture, tourism, business and investment, youth and sports development, women empowerment and support for small and medium-scale enterprises. Through compelling storytelling, project inspections, documentaries and interviews, ETTW presents Enugu’s development journey through the voices and…

Governor Peter Mbah has approved the recruitment of over 6,500 qualified candidates into various academic, technical, and administrative positions in public primary and secondary schools in the state, particularly the 267 Smart Green Schools. According to the governor, the move is in line with his administration’s commitment to providing the human resources required to drive the Smart Green School initiative and deliver quality education across the state. The Executive Chairman of the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB), Prof. Hyginus Banko, said the basic qualifications for the various positions include a Bachelor’s Degree in Education; or a Bachelor’s Degree/HND…

The Abia State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly condemned the outrageous campaign advertising charges recently announced by the Abia State Structure for Signage and Advertising Agency (ABSSAA). Recall that DrumAfricanews reported that in the advert campaign permit rate released by ABSSAA, presidential candidates are expected to pay ₦200 million, governorship candidates ₦150 million, senatorial candidates ₦100 million, House of Representatives candidates ₦50 million, and State House of Assembly candidates ₦20 million to be permitted to advertise their campaigns within Abia State. Uche Aguoru, Publicity Secretary APC, Abia State, described the move as unlawful, oppressive, unconscionable and…

The administration of governor Hope Uzodimma has started the equipment of the Imo State Specialist Hospital, Umuguma, with modern diagnostic machines including a CT Scan, Mammography system, and Digital Radiography unit. DrumAfricanews reports that the new radiography system provides fast X-ray imaging for fractures, chest infections, bone problems, and emergency care with clearer images and lower radiation. The mammography machine delivers breast cancer screening and early detection of lumps and calcifications, improving treatment outcomes for women. The CT Scan offers detailed cross-sectional images for brain injuries, spinal trauma, cancers, internal bleeding, and complex surgeries, enabling the hospital to handle specialist…

The Chairman of the Southeast Governors Forum and Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma and his three counterparts, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, Peter Mbah of Enugu State and Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State were all absent during the Southeast security summit in Umuahia, Abia State capital. While Uzodimma, Soludo and Mbah were represented by their deputies Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, Nwifuru was however, represented by the Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Moses Odunwa. Also, the Special Guest of Honour, Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, was equally absent as he…

The Abia State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA) has taken bold steps towards collaborating the Labour Party (LP) leadership in the state to deliver Governor Alex Otti, and all the party’s candidates in the forthcoming 2027 polls. ASMATA also stressed the need for the LP in Abia State to fully integrate and recognise the crucial roles it could play in the mobilisation and sensitisation of the electorate, especially traders and members of the business community. Chief Alphonsus Udeigbo, President-General (PG) of ASMATA who spoke during a courtesy visit to the state Chairman of the LP on Wednesday July 29,2026, informed…

Following a devastating gully erosion that has swallowed more than 10 homes, leaving many displaced in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has called on the Federal Government for urgent intervention. Kalu on Wednesday led officials of the Ecological Project Office including the Director, Soil and Erosion Flood Control, B’aba Bomoi to the sites in Uzuakoli and Ozuitem communities for an emergency assessment of the affected areas. DrumAfricanews reports that the Ecological Funds team is expected to submit its assessment report to guide federal government intervention. According…

The Abia State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ABSSAA) has released the schedule of approved political campaign and advertising permit fees, as well as political campaign advertising guidelines for the 2026/2027 election period. The advertising permit fees and guidelines were released to the public by the Abia State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ABSSAA) during its 2026 annual stakeholders’ engagement forum, themed: “order in outdoor: partnership for safe campaigns, sustainable revenue and a cleaner Abia 2026”. The HOD strategy, innovation and design of ABSSAA, Ndubuisi Nwaogwugwu said that these guidelines are issued pursuant to the powers conferred on…