Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

The Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has directed the establishment of a Special Task Force to dislodge criminal elements hiding in uncompleted structures, abandoned plots of land, and buildings across the territory. The Director of the Department of Security Services, FCT Administration, Mr. Adamu Gwary, disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday. Gwary explained that this measure is aimed at curbing the menace of miscreants vandalising government assets and infrastructure. He said that the FCT Security Committee had identified uncompleted structures, abandoned plots of land, and buildings as some of the hideouts for miscreants. “The Commissioner of Police in the…

Gunshots disrupted the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal which began hearing on Wednesday in Benin City, the state capital.  Hoodlums were also reportedly seen outside the turbo-charged venue of the tribunal where gunshots rent the air, leaving people to scamper for safety. The tribunal had commenced hearing on the petitions challenging the September 21, 2024, Edo governorship election where Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared as the winner. The main challenger at the tribunal is Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The electoral umpire INEC had declared Okpebholo winner of the poll with…

Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has urged northern governors to reconsider the region’s education system by adopting Hausa as the primary language of instruction in schools. He recommended that English be taught only as a subject, rather than the medium of instruction in primary and secondary education across the North. Governor Bago made the call at the National Literary Colloquium in Minna, celebrating the 60th birthday of literary icon BM Dzukogi, founder of the Hilltop Arts Foundation. The event was held at the Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre. Bago said, “Adopting Hausa as the language of instruction…

Former Governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, has officially quit his membership in the Peoples Democratic Party. He conveyed his resignation from the party in a letter dated January 13, 2025, which was addressed to the PDP acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum. He wrote: “I write to formally tender my resignation as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party. This decision, though deeply personal and difficult, is borne out of my commitment to a new chapter of service that aligns with my vision of uplifting humanity through empowering the youth. “Over the years, I have been honoured to be…

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board has clarified that registration for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination and Direct Entry has yet to commence. The board assured candidates that details of the registration process will be announced in due course. In a statement shared on its official X account on Wednesday, JAMB also advised prospective candidates to begin preparations by securing their National Identification Number and a unique phone number. “You can get your NIN ahead and a phone number that has not been previously used to register on our platform to generate your profile code prior to the time,”…

The Senate has urged nominees of the Governing Board of South East Development Commission (SEDC) not to betray the hope entrusted in them by President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians. The lawmakers gave the charge during the Ad-Hoc Committee screening on regional development Commissions chaired by Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, yesterday. The18-member nominee of SEDC was led by Dr. Emeka Wogu (chairman) and Mark C Okoye (MD/CEO). Others are Ugochukwu H. Agballah, Okey Ezenwa, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, Chidi Echeazu, Ifeanyi Agwu, Nasiru Usman, Hamma Adama, Ali Kumo, Edward David Onoja, Orure Kufre Inima, Daniel Akwari, Mrs. Joke Adebayo-Chukwuma, Stanley Ohajuruka (ED…

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has said that the national electricity grid will remain prone to collapse. According to the Minister, this was due to the government’s inability to repair a crucial transmission line in the northern part of the country owing to persistent insecurity. Adelabu said this on Monday during the 2025 budget defense session with the Senate Joint Committee on Power. The Minister said that the Shiroro-Kaduna-Mando line, which had been out of service since a vandalism incident in October 2024, had caused immeasurable loss to the nation. He pointed to this as a major reason for the…

The Police Service Commission has dismissed two Assistant Superintendents of Police for gross misconduct, including dishonesty, corruption, sabotage, and actions unbecoming of public officers. The commission has also approved the demotion of six officers for related offences The six demoted officers include: two Superintendents of Police reduced to Deputy Superintendents, one Deputy Superintendent reduced to Assistant Superintendent, and three Assistant Superintendents demoted to the rank of Inspector. A statement on Monday by the commission’s spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, said the decisions were finalised during the PSC’s second plenary meeting held at its headquarters in Abuja. Ani also said 10 senior officers…

In a historic move, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda has emerged as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, becoming the first female to take charge of the legislative body in the southwest state.  Meranda’s election followed the impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa during the House’s plenary session on Monday. Before her emergence, she was the deputy speaker of the House. Meranda represents Apapa Constituency I. The lawmaker took the oath of office on the floor of the House and reaffirmed her commitment to the Assembly. “I affirm that I will be faithful as the Speaker of the Lagos State House…

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has urged the new leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo to work assiduously to strengthen unity and faith among the Igbo people, while also building bridges with other socio-cultural groups to maintain peace in the country. The Deputy Speaker in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu congratulated Senator John Azuta-Mbata on his unanimous election as the new President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. Azuta-Mbata, a former senator representing Rivers East Senatorial Zone, was elected by the General Assembly of the apex socio-cultural organization of Ndigbo in Enugu State…