Author: Drum Africa Correspondent
The South-East Caucus of the Senate has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to honor Professor Humphrey Nwosu by immortalising him for his pivotal role in ensuring that the historic June 12, 1993, presidential elections held and also put the elections in the consciousness of Nigerians. Expressing disappointment after the upper chamber rejected their motion twice, the South-East lawmakers, who had earlier walked out of the chamber told Senate correspondents in a separate briefing that President Tinubu has always been recognized as a ‘June 12 warrior’, making it fitting for his administration to acknowledge Prof. Nwosu’s legacy. South-East Senate caucus addressed…
The Senate at the plenary Thursday approved Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences Item Bende (Establishment) Bill and Federal College of Education, Bende (Establishment) Bill for third reading. The passage of the bills sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, followed the consideration and adoption of recommendations presented by the Senate Deputy Leader, Sen. Lola Ashiru. Recall that the bills reports seeking establishment of the university and college of education in Bende were approved during the Committee of the Whole of the House of Representatives and sent to Senate for Concurrence. The Bill…
The Senate has thrown out prayers contained in a motion seeking to rename the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters after the late Prof Humphrey Nwosu, the former chairman of the defunct National Electoral Commission (NEC) who oversaw the June 12, 1993, presidential election. The motion was re-sponsored by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe on Thursday after lawmakers threw it on Wednesday. Abaribe called for posthumous national honours to be conferred on Nwosu in recognition of his role in Nigeria’s democratic evolution. However, the proposal sparked a heated debate once again, with lawmakers deeply divided over Prof. Nwosu’s legacy. Senator Osita Ngwu…
The Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has approved the recruitment of 1,800 health workers to address staffing shortages across all Primary Health Care facilities in Kaduna State. In a statement on Thursday, the Commissioner for Health, Umma Ahmad, said the recruitment aims to strengthen Kaduna’s position as a leader in Primary Health Care services. According to her, the initiative will help bridge human resource gaps in healthcare facilities, significantly reducing maternal and child mortality while enhancing the overall well-being of Kaduna residents. She further highlighted the ongoing revitalization of 255 PHC facilities, the provision of state-of-the-art equipment, and the distribution…
World powers on Thursday blasted US President Donald Trump’s steep tariffs on imports of vehicles and car parts, vowing retaliation as a widening trade war intensifies. Major car exporter Germany called for a firm response from the EU, while Japan said it “will consider all options.” Stock markets across Asia and Europe skidded into the red as auto manufacturers from Toyota to Hyundai and Mercedes led the plunge. The US duties will take effect at 12:01 am (0401 GMT) on April 3 and impact foreign-made cars and light trucks. Key automobile parts will also be hit within the month. “What…
Former presidential spokesman Laolu Akande says Siminalayi Fubara should be the first to challenge his suspension as River State governor by President Bola Tinubu. According to Akande, Tinubu would have swiftly approached the Supreme Court if a president had suspended him when he was Lagos State governor between May 1999 to May 2007. Tinubu, who was in the opposition whilst as Lagos governor, was recorded to have challenged the seizure of local government funds by the then-President Olusegun Obasanjo government. The former presidential aide said Fubara should not have waited for seven governors of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party…
The Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Lere Olayinka, on Thursday said ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s plan to run for the presidency in 2027 will be his seventh failed attempt. Posting on his Facebook page, the minister’s spokesman charged Atiku to stop lying to himself after six previous failed attempts at the presidency. On Wednesday, Wike’s spokesman vowed that his principal will frustrate Atiku’s 2027 presidential bid while reacting to his recent comment that he had no regrets about not picking Wike as his running mate in…
Troops of the special military task force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), have arrested two suspected killers of Rev. Fr Sylvester Okechukwu. This is contained in a statement issued by Maj. Samson Zhakom, the media officer of OPSH, on Wednesday in Jos. Okechukwu, a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Kafachan, Kaduna State, was abducted on March 4, at about 9:15 p.m. Okechukwu, who was abducted at his residence in Tachira, Kaura Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, was later found dead on March 5. Zhakom said that the suspects were arrested on Tuesday following a raid troops conducted in…
The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a stern warning to members rumored to be planning to support opposing parties in the 2027 elections. Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu, Chairman of Abia APC, addressed the speculations on Tuesday at the party secretariat in Umuahia. Ononogbu emphasized the party’s commitment to taking over the Abia State government in 2027, stating that any member or stakeholder found guilty of secretly or openly supporting another political party will face disciplinary actions according to the party’s constitution To address the allegations, Ononogbu announced that that there will be an establishment of…
Organized Labour in Rivers State has expressed deep concern over the state of emergency declaration in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on March 18, 2025. Labour strongly condemn the “baseless” declaration of state of emergency and suspension of the Executive Governor, Deputy Governor, and House of Assembly members who were elected by in Rivers people. It said that the state of emergency has impacted the local government workers who are yet to receive their salaries, as a result, are exposed to avoidable economic hardship. In a statement jointly signed by Comrade Alex Agwanwor, Sir Comrade Ikechukwu Onyefuru, State…