Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

Residents of Abia State have blasted an item-born Aba-based lawyer, Emperor Ogbonna, for dragging the National Assembly and five others to the Federal High Court, Umuahia Judicial Division. DrumAfricanews learnt that Ogbonna went to court over steps to relocate the Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, located in Item, to the Bende community and to swap the said Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences, Item, with the Federal College of Education located in the Bende community. In suit no: FHC/UM/CS/176/2026, dated and filed on the 23rd day of October, 2026, was instituted by Emperor Ogbonna, on his own…

The Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State, is set to train over 50 journalists and media practitioners ahead of the 2027 general elections as part of activities marking its 2026 Press Week. The three-day programme, scheduled to hold from Wednesday, November 4, to Friday, November 6, 2026, at Bishop Anthony Nwedo Pastoral Centre, BCA Road, Umuahia, will feature a two-day professional retreat and a grand finale designed to strengthen the capacity of journalists for credible, ethical and responsible election reporting. DrumAfricanews reports that Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, will be the special guest at…

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has said the people of South East region have unanimously agreed to return President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima in 2027 to continue their good work. Speaking at the Flag Off of the APC Women’s Mobilization Campaign/ South East Women Empowerment Programme by the Wife of the President and First Lady of the nation, Senator Oluremi Tinubu in Enugu on Saturday, the Deputy Speaker said for now, the mandate of Ndi Igbo is to support the man that has been supporting them. Kalu recalled that…

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu last night, joined family, friends and well-wishers to celebrate the Senator representing the Orlu Senatorial Zone, Senator Osita Izunaso at his 60th Birthday anniversary. Kalu who described Izunaso as “his dear brother and friend,” said that it was his pleasure to be part of the occasion, and equally participated in Senator Izunaso’s book launch, which was part of the birthday celebration. The Deputy Speaker described the Ohakpu, Oru West LGA born lawmaker, popularly known as KPAKPANDO ORLU (Star Of Orlu), as a seasoned politician and an astute party…

Road users and residents in parts of Abia State have appealed to the state government to urgently rehabilitate several deteriorating roads, lamenting that their deplorable condition has continued to disrupt business activities, impede transportation and cause hardship, Some of the affected roads include the Ndoki Road, stretching from Obehie Roundabout and connecting parts of Ukwa East Local Government Area, Obuohia Road in Ugwunagbo, Umuojima Road in Osisioma, Ekeakpara and other adjoining communities. Speaking at some of the worst affected sections, residents lamented that the roads had remained in deplorable condition for years, accusing successive authorities of neglecting critical infrastructure in…

The Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) has piloted SPARK, the first-of-its-kind USSD-based entry-level credit product, showcasing consumer credit access to over one thousand Abia State residents. DrumAfricanews reports that CREDICORP stated this after concluding the unveiling of SPARK at the Prime Time Event Center, Osisioma Aba, Abia State, in Nigeria’s South East, highlighting affordable credit opportunities for over one thousand residents. The event brought together beneficiaries, participating financial institutions, local vendors and government representatives to demonstrate how consumer credit can improve everyday livelihoods. At the showcase, market women and traders participated in live credit-access activities, while young Nigerians within Aba,…

Residents of Owaza community in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State, have called on Governor Alex Otti to return their lands allegedly acquired for the proposed industrial park, lamenting that nearly four years after the announcement of the project, there has been no visible sign of construction. The residents claimed that over 1000 hectares of land were taken for the project, expressing disappointment that the vast expanse of land had remained unused while the community continued to grapple with poor road infrastructure, lack of electricity and inadequate water supply. They argued that the government should prioritize the provision…

The Inspector-General of Police has filed a six-count charge against Emenike Okorie over alleged cybercrime, harassment and defamation arising from WhatsApp publications concerning the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu. The charge, filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, accuses Okorie, 49, of allegedly publishing messages on the Umuhu Ezechi Development Union WhatsApp group that the prosecution claims were intended to damage Kalu’s reputation, expose him to public ridicule and threaten his safety. The allegations are contained in a charge document dated October 26, 2026. Okorie, identified in the charge as a resident of Amazu,…

President Bola Tinubu has said that his decision to sign the South East Development Commission (SEDC), Bill into law was driven by his conviction that the prosperity of the South East region is inseparable from the prosperity of Nigeria. The President who assented to the bill in July, 2024, made the disclosure at the the South East Gas Pipeline Infrastructure Investment Ceremony in Enugu on Tuesday. Represented at the event by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, President Tinubu said the Commission was created to provide sustained institutional attention to the region’s reconstruction, rehabilitation…

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.…