Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has expressed his gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for appointing pioneer members to the South East Development Commission (SEDC) board. Kalu commended the President’s strategic choices, stating that the appointments align with his vision to reposition the South East region. The Deputy Speaker specifically congratulated the nominees, including the chairmen of the board and former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, PhD; executive director for finance, Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka; the executive director of projects, Hon. Toby Okechukwu; and another director, Dr. Clifford Ogbede. Kalu also…

A member of the House of Representatives, representing Ideato North/South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere has emerged the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southeastern state of Imo State Nigeria. This development followed the appointment of Ikenga imo Ugochinyere who is the highest govt Official elected on the PDP platform in Imo State by PDP 27 LGA Chairmen forum in Imo State at the weekend. The leaders in a statement signed on their behalf by Coordinating Chairman of the 27 Imo PDP LGA Chairmen forum urged stakeholders in the state to rally round…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited began the computer-based Aptitude Test on Saturday where a total of 45,689 applicants are slugging it out to secure employment at the company. The NNPC spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, in a statement, said the recruitment would be for various positions across various departments within the energy company and interested applicants to visit the NNPC careers page for application instructions. The development is a follow-up to an announcement on July 25, 2024, where the company announced openings for new entrants. In an update on its official X handle, the national oil firm assured that only the…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expelled the House of Representatives member from Ideato North/Ideato South Federal Constituency of Imo State and Spokesman of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere. PDP expelled Ugochinyere over gross indiscipline, insubordination, and anti-party activities. His expulsion was contained in a letter from the Ideato LGA chapter of PDP, dated December 5, 2024, and signed by the LGA Chairman, Hon. ThankGod Okeke, and the Secretary, Onyebuchi Umeh. The letter was addressed to the state chairman of the party. The expulsion followed the report of the party’s disciplinary committee, dated November…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has rejigged his list of nominees for the South East Development Commission (SEDC) board, replacing the initial chairman, Hon. Emeka Atuma, with Former Commissioner For Labour and Productivity, Emeka Wogu. The President replaced all the three executive directors initially nominated and named two additional executive directors. The President also removed one of the board members, Donatus Eyinnah Nwankpa. However, Hon. Mark C. Okoye retains his position as the Commission’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer on the 16-member board, one more member than the initial board. The new executive director for finance is Stanley Ohajuruka, who replaced Anthony…

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Former Minority Leader of Abia State House of Assembly, Hon Chijioke Chukwu as member Representing South East in the newly created North West Development Commission, NWDC. The Former Bende North State Constituency lawmaker is among the updated list of nominees for the Governing Boards of the North West Development Commission (NWDC) and the South East Development Commission (SEDC) to the Senate for confirmation. This announcement was made in a statement from the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday. In the revised nominations, Alhaji Lawal Samai’la Abdullahi was appointed as Chairman…

President Bola Tinubu has submitted an updated list of nominees for the Governing Boards of the North West Development Commission (NWDC) and the South East Development Commission (SEDC) to the Senate for confirmation. This announcement was made in a statement from the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday. For the SEDC, Tinubu has nominated Hon. Emeka Atuma as Chairman, with Hon. Mark C. Okoye set to take on the role of Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer. Other board members include Ugochukwu H. Agballah, Hon. Okey Ezenwa, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, and Hon. Donatus Eyinnah Nwankpa, among others.…

President Bola Tinubu has directed the release of funds to settle pension arrears, salary increases, and other benefits owed to retired military personnel. This decision follows two days of peaceful demonstrations by veterans at the Federal Ministry of Finance. The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Muhammed Matawalle, announced the development on Friday, thanking the President for his prompt action in addressing the veterans’ concerns. Matawalle commended Tinubu’s efforts to ensure the payment of a three-month salary increment and the release of funds for outstanding pensions and entitlements. According to a statement by the Director of Press and Public…

The Labour Party (LP) has expressed strong opposition to the defection of four of its members in the House of Representatives to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The lawmakers—Chinedu Okere, Mathew Donatus, Akiba Bassey, and Esosa Iyawe—claimed “internal crisis” within the LP as their reason for crossing over. Reacting to the announcement by Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House, Obiora Ifoh, the LP spokesperson, described the move as “inconsistent with democratic norms,” vowing to pursue legal action. “The defection, to us, is quite unfortunate and we condemn the action which is irrational, untenable, inconsistent and alien to all known…

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has called for caution over the Tax Reform Bills, asking Nigerians to digest the content before passing judgement on them. President Bola Tinubu’s transmission of the bills to the National Assembly has elicited heated debates among Nigerians. The northern region has been the most vocal in its criticism of the bills which have pitted some governors and lawmakers against the Federal Government. But speaking at the Government House in Owerri, Imo State on Thursday, Uzodimma said some of those against the bills have not studied their provisions. “Many of us who are criticising the…