Author: Drum Africa Correspondent
The Presidency has dispelled concerns about the speed of coming up with the Tax Reform Bills, emphasising the extensive efforts that have gone into the process. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, highlighted on Monday via X that the reforms are the result of contributions from over 80 professionals over a 14-month period, warning that any delay in their passage could mirror the protracted 20-year legislative journey of the Petroleum Industry Bill. According to Ajayi, postponing the tax reforms would be a costly mistake the nation cannot afford. “It is very disingenuous to say…
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has emphasized the need for a coordinated effort among stakeholders to achieve meaningful reform in Nigeria’s local government system. Kalu made the submission while delivering his welcome address at the national dialogue on local government and constitution amendment organized by the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review on Monday in Abuja. Delivered on his behalf by the Majority Leader of the House, Professor Julius Ihonvbere, Kalu noted that local governments play a crucial role in delivering essential services, promoting inclusion, and enhancing democratic participation. He however lamented…
Belgium has enacted a law that grants sex workers the same rights and protections as other workers. The legislation, signed into law on Sunday, ensures that sex workers are entitled to maternity leave, pensions, and legal safeguards against exploitation. This decision followed widespread protests in 2022, during which sex workers demanded state support after being excluded from government assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the new law, sex workers are granted the right to refuse clients, decline specific acts, or stop an act at any point. Employers are also required to meet stringent standards, including maintaining hygienic premises, installing panic…
Nigerians across social media platforms have berated popular content creator, Kuye Adegoke, aka Egungun of Lagos, for his leaked private video. In the leaked clip making the rounds on social media, Egungun of Lagos was seen brushing his teeth during a video call with an unidentified woman while dressed in shorts and flashed his private part to the lady on the call. Before the video surfaced online, his wife, Pashotah, had publicly addressed a blackmail attempt involving her husband’s private videos. She took to her Instagram on Sunday to defend the husband, saying, “Hi guys, someone is blackmailing me with…
The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed claims linking its officers to a viral video showing uniformed personnel scooping fuel from a crashed tanker. In a press statement issued on Monday by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the NPF clarified that the individuals in the footage were not policemen but uniformed personnel from a neighbouring francophone country. “The viral video circulating in the media that depicts uniformed personnel in camouflage scooping fuel from the wreckage of an accident tanker was just released to discredit the Nigeria Police Force. It is essential to clarify that the individuals in the video…
The General Overseer, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has lamented the arrest of one of the church’s pastors abroad. He said the pastor was arrested for addressing those in attendance at a programme “Ladies and gentlemen.” According to him, the statement was considered discriminatory because it did not capture all of the genders identified by their culture. The pastor made this known during the church’s monthly thanksgiving service at the RCCG’s Throne of Grace in Lagos State on Sunday. His sermon, which was broadcast to all parishes of the church, was titled “My father’s house.” “The end…
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, on Sunday explained why the northern governors advised President Bola Tinubu to withdraw the controversial tax reform bills. The governor who appeared as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, said the Northern Governors Forum only needs time for consultation. He argued that contrary to some insinuations in some quarters, the northern governors are not against President Tinubu’s administration. According to him, the north cannot be against Tinubu as over 60 per cent of his votes in the 2023 general elections came from the region. Zulum explained that if the bill scales through the…
The Abia State Government (ABSG) has described as false and misleading the information by the national leadership of the Organized Labour that Abia is among the 14 States yet to commence the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage and hence should embark on an industrial action. The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba was disclosed this while briefing newsmen at Government House Umuahia during a meeting with the Organized Labour in the State. He said that Abia was one of the first states to commence to implement the new wage for its workers and had already…
The Abia State government has expressed strong reservation about the flagrant abuse of the appellations “His Royal Majesty,” and “His Royal Highness” by some Ezeogos in various autonomous communities in the state even when they are not government recognised traditional rulers. A statement signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Uzor Nwachukwu, said that it has also been proven that the Ezeogos conferred chieftaincy titles on some citizens and friends of their various autonomous communities when they are not in the position to confer such chieftaincy titles on people. The statement further stressed that the Abia State…
The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, has described the late Senate President, Joseph Wayas, as a towering figure in Nigeria’s democratic journey and a source of pride for the state. He disclosed this on Saturday when the remains of Wayas were laid to rest in his hometown of Basang, Obanliku Local Government Area of the state. Ayambem, in his condolence message, said that Wayas was an exceptional leader, a patriot, and a symbol of integrity. ” He said, “His contributions to our nation’s democracy during the Second Republic set the standard for leadership in…