Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

Vice-president of Dangote Industries Limited, Edwin Devakumar, has said that the refinery and other local refiners have been unable to secure enough crude oil supplies despite the federal government’s plan to sell crude priced in the local currency. To address challenges in accessing foreign currency, FG in July said it would sell crude priced in naira to local refineries for an initial six months starting in October. Nigeria officially commenced the sale of crude oil to refineries in naira on October 1, forcing Dangote refinery to focus on local supply. The refinery received four cargoes of crude oil from the…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum has expressed concerns about the economic hardship on the nation by policies of the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government with a call on President Bola Tinubu to review Nigeria’s macroeconomic and fiscal decisions. According to the governors, a readjustment of the policies will address the welfare and well-being of Nigerians. This is among other resolutions of the forum during its meeting held in Jos, Plateau State. “The forum empathize with Nigerians who are groaning under the oppressive economic hardship hoisted on the nation by the policies and decisions of the APC-led Federal Government,”…

The committee set up by the Edo government to recover government assets says over 200 vehicles belonging to the state are missing. The chairman of the committee Kelly Okungbowa shared the information with journalists in Benin City, the Edo State capital on Friday. He said three of these vehicles have been recovered less than a day after the group was inaugurated. Okungbowa assured the Edo people that the committee was determined to recover the missing government vehicles. According to him, bags of rice and garri meant to be palliatives from the Federal Government for the people of the state were…

Deputy  Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has emphasized the crucial role of State Legislatures in shaping Nigeria’s constitutional future He made the emphasis, Friday, while delivering his opening speech at the Retreat for Speakers and Principal Officers of the State Houses of Assembly (South West Region) in Ekiti State, where he addressed the importance of proactive stances by State legislatures in the ongoing constitution review process. The programme was themed “Strengthening Democratic Governance at Sub-National Level”. Kalu, who is also the Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, highlighted the committee’s current work…

President Bola Tinubu has sent a letter to the Senate seeking confirmation of Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede’s appointment as the substantive Chief of Army Staff. In the letter sent on Friday, President Tinubu sought Oluyede’s confirmation in accordance with the provision of Section 218(2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act. President Tinubu appointed Oluyede as the Acting Chief of Army Staff on October 30 following the illness of Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja. Drum Africa New recalls that General Lagbaja, however, died on 5 November. A statement by Presidential Adviser on Communication…

The Defence Headquarters has applauded the arrest of separatist leader, Simon Ekpa by Finnish Police. The Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, and the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau in their separate statement, described the arrest as a key victory in the anti-terror fight. The spokespersons said the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has expressed happiness over Ekpa’s arrest. “CDS is happy with his arrest in Finland, with the hope this will be a step towards his extradition to Nigeria so that he will face justice,” Gusau said on Thursday. Similarly,…

The Federal Ministry of Education has announced the reappointment of Professor Joseph Ikechebelu as the new acting vice-chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (NAU). Ikechebelu’s reappointment as the new vice-chancellor of the university was announced in a letter on Wednesday by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Nasir Sani-Gwarzo. “Sequel to the approval of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR vide letter Ref: PRES/84/EDU/10 dated 18th November, 2024 nullifying the appointment of Prof. Benard Ifeanyi Odoh as the 7th substantive vice chancellor of the university who was illegally appointed by the dissolved 10th Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University,…

The House of Representatives at plenary passed for a second reading a Bill seeking to amend the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to provide for an increase in the number of Judges in the FCT High Courts. The proposed legislation was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, Rep. Babajimi Benson, Rep. Akin Rotimi, Jr and five others. Leading the debate on its general principles, one of the co-sponsors Rep. Jonathan Gbefwi stated that the Bill seeks to address a fundamental aspect of the judiciary’s ability to deliver timely justice, which is an increase of the number…

The federal government has affirmed that the monthly allocation funds from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) would no longer be disbursed into the Rivers State government’s account.  The spokesperson of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Bawa Mokwa revealed FG’s position on Friday. DRUM AFRICA NEWS recalls that a court had ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the federal government to stop the payment of FAAC revenue to Rivers State until Governor Fubara represents the state’s budget to the House of Assembly recognized by the law. Mokwa said the decision is in compliance with…

The Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has secured the backing of Nigerian governors for the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). This followed a productive meeting with the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), in Abuja where Kalu who was accompanied by the principal officers of the House revealed that the governors are receptive to the proposed amendments. The Deputy Speaker, who chaired the Constitution Review Committee of the House, emphasized the vital role of governors as heads of sub-national governments. He recognized the importance of updating them on parliamentary progress to prepare the State…