Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

The permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Mrs Mary Otozi, on behalf of the Commissioner for Primary and Secondary Education, Dr. Donatus Ilang, expressed concern over the continued violation of the government’s directive by school administrators. This is even as the Ebonyi State government has inaugurated an investigative panel to identify and sanction schools that violate its ban on graduation and valedictory ceremonies without official approval. The government said the action became necessary following reports that some public and private schools continued to organise end-of-session ceremonies despite repeated directives prohibiting the practice. The government observed that…

Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, has emerged as the fourth-best-performing university in Nigeria in the 2025 National Research Fund (NRF) TETFund Grant cycle after producing seven successful grant awardees among the 174 beneficiaries nationwide. The feat further reinforces the university’s growing reputation as a leading centre for cutting-edge research and innovation in Nigeria. The seven researchers paid a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, in his office on Thursday, 2nd July, 2026, following the successful defence of their research proposals in Abuja, where they secured the highly competitive grants. Leading the delegation, the Director of Research…

The Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, has commissioned a solar-powered electricity and Wi-Fi facility for the Department of English and Literature of the institution. Commissioning the project on Friday, July 3, 2026, Anyaehie described the project as a significant milestone in the University’s drive to strengthen teaching, learning, research and digital innovation. DrumAfricanews gathered that the facility, located at the Faculty of Arts, is expected to provide an uninterrupted power supply and improved internet connectivity, thereby enhancing academic activities and research productivity within the department. Prof. Roseann Chinwe Ezeifeka, Head of the Department…

The Communications Unit, Anastasia Odochi Uchenna Campaign Council, has demanded justice for the late Miss Wendy Chizaram Achumba, the 21-year-old student nurse who was brutally murdered in Obowo, Imo State, and was laid to rest in her hometown. Recall that Late Wendy, an indigene of Umuokahia II, Anunu Ukwu Autonomous Community, Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State, was murdered on Thursday, May 21, 2026, in Imo State, by two suspects, Onyema Okonkwo and Emmanuel Onyekachi, both indigenes of the host community, Umudara Umulogho, Obowo, where her school is situated. DrumAfricanews reports that on Friday, 3rd July 2026, in a deep, sorrowful…

Mr Christian Aburime, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Chukwuma Soludo has said that the misleading media reports alleging that the State was denied the World Bank grant facility enjoyed by other 20 states due to poor performance benchmarks is false. According to Aburime, the World Bank has confirmed that Anambra State did not express interest to participate in its 2024 HOPE-Governance Programme, which is the first process towards qualifying to get the grant. Aburime said that according to the World Bank, in its Implementation Status & Results Report on Nigeria HOPE-Governance (P181476), dated July 07, 2025, _“35 states and the…

From Mgbidi, Umuapu, Achingali, Akokwa, Okigwe and other boundary towns across Imo State, the people are beginning to feel the effects of smooth and steady movement for daily business transactions intra and inter state. There is a saying that you never get a second chance to make a first impression. This simple truth applies not just to people, but to places as well. For any state, especially Imo, the roads that lead you in are its front door; they are the first thing a visitor sees and the last thing a traveler remembers. That is why the efforts to rebuild…

The governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Barr. Kelechi Anosike, has said that the distinguishing factor between him and other candidates in other political parties is that he is a welfarist who is come to make Abians live fulfilled and enjoyable lives.  Anosike, who said that he has a strong agricultural and industrial vision for Abia State, stressed that his proposed agricultural programme “Operation Feed Abia” (OFA) has the agricultural ideologies of Dr Michael Okpara written all over it. “A man is substantially what he’s exposed to, which includes his trainings and associations with his heart at the centre…

The Imo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Austin Onyedebelu,has said that the Orlu Senatorial Zone is fully prepared to support the transfer of the governorship to Owerri Senatorial Zone at the appropriate time, provided that Owerri demonstrates its commitment by delivering victory for the party in future elections. Onyedebelu said this when the Imo State chapter of th APC on Thursday concluded its statewide interactive meetings with party stakeholders, ending the exercise with a meeting involving officials from Orlu Zone. The interactive session brought together members of the State Working Committee and State Executive Committee with…

A total of 20 Nigerian states including Imo, Enugu and Abia and 17 other states are set to receive a combined $27 million in performance-based grants from the world bank. The grant is given under the World Bank-supported Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity (HOPE) Governance Programme after meeting key reform targets in education, healthcare and public financial management. DrumAfricanews reports that the disbursement was announced on Tuesday by the National Coordinator of the HOPE Governance Programme, Dr. Assad Hassan, during a retreat for Commissioners, Permanent Secretaries and Directors of Budget and Planning in Abuja. The HOPE Governance Programme…

Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Command, in synergy with operatives of Egbema Police Division, raided a suspected kidnappers’ hideout at Obokofia in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area on 30th June, 2026. After the raid, the command rescued three kidnapped victims unharmed and arresting seven suspected members of the gang. Other members of the syndicate fled the scene and are currently being trailed. DrumAfricanews reports that the move by police was necessitated by the abduction of five passengers from a commuter bus along Obokofia Road in Egbema and the subsequent kidnapping of a young man in New Owerri on 27th…