Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice-Admiral (rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has announced the resignation of the Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, describing the development as sad. The Administrator appreciated the immense contributions of Nwaeke in the short period he served the administration and wished him well in his future endeavors. Ibas said in the interim, Dr Iyingi Brown, Permanent Secretary Welfare, Office of the Head of Service had been appointed in acting capacity until the emergence of a new Head of Service. While congratulating her on her appointment, Ibas assured the people of Rivers of his commitment to neutrality,…

President Bola Tinubu on Monday inaugurated the Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA) to empower young Nigerians and nurture the next generation of leaders. Tinubu, represented by the Vice-President Kashim Shettima, said the academy would focus on skills development, employment, leadership and civil engagement. This, according to him will be achieved through world-class training in digital literacy, technical skills, entrepreneurship and the creative industries. Tinubu said his administration would ensure that the youth were equipped to compete on the global stage. He said initiatives like the Youth Investment Fund and the Presidential Initiative for Youth Enterprise Clusters would provide financial support, mentorship…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has received the petition seeking the recall process of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Secretary to the commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, received the petition on Monday. The constituents claimed the signed petition met the requirements as stipulated by the Constitution 1990 as amended. It was learnt that more than one-half of the registered voters in the district, over 200,000 people, signed in support. The recall petition followed a series of contentious events involving Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended from the Senate on March 6 for alleged “gross misconduct” after…

The Nigerian Correctional Service has confirmed the recapture of five out of the twelve escaped inmates from Koton-Karfe Custodial Centre. The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has said five fleeing inmates from the jailbreak at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Koton-Karfe, Kogi State, have been recaptured. This comes after it was reported earlier that twelve inmates escaped the Custodial Centre. The NCoS in a statement on Monday by its Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Umar said the manhunt is ongoing for the other fleeing inmates. Umar, in the statement, said: “The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) confirms a security breach at the Medium…

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan of Kogi Central has dismissed reports claiming she apologized to the Nigerian Senate over the controversy that led to her suspension. In a statement on Monday, March 24, 2025, the lawmaker described the claims as “false and misleading,” reaffirming her stance on the issue that resulted in her six-month suspension. “The reports suggesting that I have apologized to the Senate and retracted my position are completely untrue. I stand firmly by my words and actions and have not issued any apology to the Senate or anyone regarding this matter,” she stated. She condemned those spreading the misinformation,…

Twelve inmates escaped in an early morning jailbreak at the Federal Correctional Centre in Kotonkarfe, Kogi State, on Monday. Kogi State Information Commissioner, Kingsley Fanwo, described the incident as “unfortunate” and assured citizens that the government, working with security agencies, would take steps to prevent a recurrence. According to him, law enforcement agencies have re-arrested one of the escapees. “The theory that the inmates escaped through the tower without causing any structural damage raises serious concerns. “This calls for a thorough investigation to determine the exact circumstances of the escape, arrest the fleeing inmates, and identify possible saboteurs within the…

Suspended Rvers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has denied any links to militant groups, warning against attempts to incite violence or economic sabotage in his name. Fubara made this known in a statement issued on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, in Port Harcourt, the state capital. The governor was reacting to trending videos alleging explosions at oil and gas installations in the state, which he described as “fake” and “malicious.” He urged security agencies to investigate the sources of the videos and take action against those responsible. The statement read, “Our attention has, once again, been drawn to…

The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Adolphus Wabara, has strongly condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it undemocratic and unconstitutional. In a statement issued on Sunday, Wabara decried the suspension of the elected governor, deputy governor, and State House of Assembly members, replacing them with a sole administrator, describing the move as a “gross violation of Nigeria’s Constitution and an assault on democracy and the rule of law.” “This action is a direct attack on the essence of our Republic. “It deserves the strongest…

Nigerian skit maker, actor, and activist, Adebowale ‘Debo’ Adedayo, widely known as Mr Macaroni, has strongly condemned attempts to pressure celebrities into activism over the state of the nation. He stated that celebrities should not be held responsible for issues that the generality of Nigerians refuse to confront. Mr Macaroni’s reaction came in response to a viral image circulating online, depicting a figure painted in green, hoisting the Nigerian flag, and holding a placard that reads, “Nigerians, let’s unfollow all useless celebrities keeping quiet now.” But, taking to his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, the outspoken entertainer did not…

A police Inspector, Effiong Bassey, suspected to have gone berserk, has shot three persons in Calabar, the Cross River State capital. The Cross River State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday. According to the Command’s spokesperson, Ugbo Irene, the incident happened in the early hours of Sunday at the Divisional Police Headquarters in Atakpa, Calabar. She said Bassey “returned from his night duty at Ekondo Microfinance Bank and began to exhibit abnormal behaviour.” “Inspector Bassey refused to hand over the AK-47 rifle he was assigned and instead proceeded to block the station’s gate, preventing anyone from…