Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has prohibited all forms of payments in public primary and secondary schools across the state, emphasizing the enforcement of compulsory school attendance for children of school age. In his New Year address on Wednesday, Governor Otti announced an imprest system for school principals and head teachers, allocating monthly allowances for the smooth running of their schools. “We have stopped all forms of payments in primary and secondary schools. Not even PTA levies should be charged to any parent or guardian in any public school in the state,” Otti declared. “Head teachers and school principals…

A Zambian detective inspector has been arrested for releasing 13 suspects from police custody while under the influence of alcohol in a bizarre New Year’s Eve incident. Detective Inspector Titus Phiri, who was reportedly intoxicated, seized the keys to the cells at Leonard Cheelo Police Station in Lusaka on New Year’s Eve. He then freed the suspects, who were being held for various serious crimes, including assault, robbery, and burglary. Police spokesperson Rae Hamoonga confirmed the incident, stating that the intoxicated officer forcibly took the keys from Constable Serah Banda before making his escape. “Mr. Phiri, in a state of…

Prince Emma Kanu, the younger brother of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has expressed his disappointment that President Bola Tinubu and his son, Seyi, did not honour their alleged promise to release the secessionist leader. Emma, in a statement he issued late Thursday, claimed he had an agreement with Seyi Tinubu, on the authority of the President that Kanu would be released if the then All Progressives Congress candidate won the election. “Before the last election, I received a message from an ex-governor that Seyi, the son of President Tinubu, wanted to see me. “I…

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, on Thursday visited the Nkpa community in Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State, to celebrate Nkpa Day. This visit was met with excitement and enthusiasm from the community, demonstrating their affection for their son who represents them in the National Assembly. Kalu’s commitment to his constituents is evident in his efforts to attract projects to the area. It will be recalled that the Deputy Speaker in the 9th Assembly successfully moved a landmark motion that led to the construction of the Nkpa bridge. In his brief remarks at…

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, on Thursday visited the Nkpa community in Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State, to celebrate Nkpa Day. This visit was met with excitement and enthusiasm from the community, demonstrating their affection for their son who represents them in the National Assembly. Kalu’s commitment to his constituents is evident in his efforts to attract projects to the area. It will be recalled that the Deputy Speaker in the 9th Assembly successfully moved a landmark motion that led to the construction of the Nkpa bridge. In his brief remarks at the…

The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, has broken his silence on the rumored pact with Atiku Abubakar and Rabiu Kwankwaso for the 2027 presidency. According to Obi, there is currently no merger agreement between the Labour Party and any other opposition party. Obi’s statement comes amid speculation that the Labour Party had entered into a merger deal with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). While he didn’t confirm or deny the existence of merger talks, Obi emphasised that there was “no agreement yet”. Speaking at a press conference on…

The Concerned Elders of Rivers State have condemned recent remarks by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, directed at elder statesman and former Governor of the state, Peter Odili. Wike, also a former Governor of Rivers State, recently claimed at a public function that he had brought Odili out of political obscurity. He also referred to Odili as a “General Overseer,” referencing the appointments of Odili’s wife, Justice Mary Odili (retired), and his daughter, Dr Adaeze Oreh, to key positions in Rivers State by Governor Siminalayi Fubara. In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday night,…

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has approved N8bn to clear the backlog of liabilities in pensions and gratuities of retired primary school teachers and other civil servants in the state. The governor, who announced the approval on Wednesday at the council chamber of the Government House in Maiduguri, said the N8bn would clear liabilities accrued from 2019 to 2021. “Since I took over in 2019 to date, we have paid about N25bn for the settlement of gratuities for those that have worked with local and state governments,” Zulum said. He pledged that his administration would settle the backlog of gratuities…

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has announced the return of history studies in Nigerian schools. According to him, President Bola Tinubu has mandated the return of Nigerian History as a subject in primary and secondary schools. The Minister said this on Tuesday when he was featured as a guest on Channels Television’s End-of-Year Special Review show. Drum Africa reports that the previous administration had banned history from being taught in primary and secondary schools. “Let me go to basic education, the curriculum is good…what has been missing in the past is Nigerian history,” he said. “We have now people of…

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has pledged that his administration would prioritise the welfare of the State’s residents in 2025 to alleviate hardship in the country. The Governor in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed on New Year Day, disclosed that he will focus on soft infrastructure in the 2025 fiscal year after a relentless two years of infrastructural upgrade of the state. He noted the new year will witness new and continuation of old social programmes designed to cushion the effect of the hard time on the people of the state and acknowledged the many advances of…