Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa, has taken full responsibility for Tuesday’s Abuja-Kaduna train derailment. Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, Opeifa apologised to Nigerians and assured that the investigation into the incident would be thorough and transparent. “Let me say, beyond apologising to Nigeria, I want to say as the managing director and chief executive, I take full responsibility. And in the case of safety, there is no indifference. Once it happens, the chief executive must take responsibility. In this case, I am taking responsibility,” he said. The NRC boss admitted the…

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Jos chapter, has rejected the Federal Government’s new loan scheme for workers in tertiary institutions. Speaking at a press conference in Jos on Tuesday, the union’s chairman, Prof. Jurbe Molwus, described the initiative as a “trap” and a “poisoned chalice.” Two weeks ago, the Federal Government unveiled the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund, which it said was meant to boost welfare and professional growth of both academic and non-academic staff. But ASUU insists that what lecturers need is not more loans, but better pay and implementation of the renegotiated 2009 agreement.…

The Super Eagles’ World Cup campaign has suffered a major scare after first-choice goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali, was stretchered off with a suspected serious injury on Tuesday night. The 27-year-old, turning out for Chippa United in a South African league clash against Richards Bay, went down in the 35th minute and could not continue. Nwabali, who rose to prominence at the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire where his heroics helped Nigeria reach the final, is a key figure in José Peseiro’s squad. His condition now casts huge doubt over his availability for Nigeria’s must-win qualifiers against Rwanda on September 6 and…

President Bola Tinubu says Nigeria’s capital market has witnessed “remarkable growth” under his administration, crediting investor confidence in his reforms for the surge. Tinubu spoke in Brazil while meeting the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Dr. Emomotimi Agama, and the Board of the Nigerian Exchange Group during his state visit. According to the Presidency, market capitalisation and trading volumes have almost tripled since 2023, reflecting stronger investor participation. Tinubu promised more reforms to make the market a “trusted engine of enterprise and prosperity,” stressing that his government would keep pushing policies to unlock capital and protect investors. SEC…

The African Democratic Congress has criticised the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress for initiating discussions on zoning their 2027 presidential tickets. The coalition party stated that the such moves show a disregard for the hardship Nigerians are facing. Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, ADC spokesman, Bolaji Abdullahi, faulted both parties for focusing on 2027 politics rather than addressing current challenges. “The general election is still in 2027; it’s still two years away. Why are we so preoccupied and behaving in such a way that Nigerians begin to look at the political elite across…

Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah yesterday reiterated his call for the release of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu. He said freeing Kanu “was the right thing to do” and that he had met the President over it. Mbah spoke during a question-and-answer session after his presentation on “Leadership and transformation” at the Showcase Session of the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference in Enugu. The governor also shared practical strategies he applies in overcoming barriers and unlocking the state’s opportunities. Urged by a participant not to give up on his advocacy for Kanu’s release, the…

Muhammad Garba, spokesman for the immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, has condemned recent allegations levelled against his principal, describing them as politically-motivated and misleading. In a statement on Monday night, Garba, who was the former Kano State Commissioner for Information, expressed concern over what he termed as “a deliberate attempt by the Kano State Government to link Ganduje to financial misappropriation, corruption, and misconduct,” particularly in relation to alleged overspending through the Protocol Directorate and accusations of land grabbing. Recall that Governor Abba Yusuf on Monday accused Ganduje of spending over N20 billion from…

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State has suspended the chairman of Edo State Forestry Commission, Valentine Asuen, for alleged infraction. Asuen, a former state youth leader of the party and Edo South Senatorial aspirant, was alleged to have committed actions that amounted to incitement and divisiveness within the party. His suspension was contained in a statement signed by the APC state publicity secretary, Peter Uwadia. The letter said Asuen was suspended from the Party in accordance with the provisions of the party’s Constitution 2022, as amended. It said the disciplinary action became necessary because Asuen’s conduct ran contrary…

The Akwa Ibom State Government has revoked all land allocations made since the assumption of office by Governor Umo Eno in May 2023. The announcement was made on Monday by the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Uko Udom, SAN, who explained that the revocation was part of efforts to revalidate land records and transition to the new digital Akwa-GIS platform. “Notice is hereby given of the revocation of all land allocations in Akwa Ibom State made from the 29th day of May, 2023, till date, inclusive of all government-acquired land, for the purpose of revalidating allocations and interests,…

The Managing Director of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abba Aliyu, has revealed that many Nigerians in rural communities are enjoying stable electricity and are willing to pay for it – sometimes even more than what Band A consumers are charged. Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Monday, Aliyu said some rural areas currently pay tariffs as high as ₦250 to ₦280 per kilowatt-hour. “There are communities where the tariff is actually higher than Band A,” he explained. “But it all depends on the cost of the infrastructure deployed in those places. They pay for power and they…