Author: Drum Africa Correspondent
The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress. He made this known during an official announcement on Friday in Uyo, the state capital. The governor said the decision followed “three months of wide consultation” with critical stakeholders across the state. Eno expressed his gratitude to the PDP for their support during his tenure, stating that it was time for him to make a progressive move. The governor said he decided to join the APC, citing his admiration for President Bola Tinubu and the need for Akwa Ibom…
A former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mohammed Uwais, has died at the age of 89. A family source, who confirmed Uwais’ death, said the retired jurist died on Friday, June 6, 2025, in Abuja. Preparations were said to be underway for his funeral prayer and burial. Born on June 12, 1936, Justice Uwais served as the Chief Justice of Nigeria from 1995 until his retirement in 2006. After retiring from the Supreme Court, he was appointed by the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua to lead the Electoral Reform Committee, where he played a key role in efforts to…
Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, says steps “to stabilise governance and revive the economy of Rivers” are underway. The governor spoke through Nelson Chukwudi, his chief press secretary, in a message to commemorate the Eid-el-Kabir celebration. Fubara urged Muslims in the state and across the world to reflect on the values of sacrifice, obedience and faith as they celebrate. “The festival commemorates the deep devotion of Prophet Ibrahim, who was willing to sacrifice his son in obedience to God’s command,” the statement reads. “It is observed globally with solemn prayers, animal sacrifices, and the sharing of meat with family, friends,…
A federal judge has temporarily blocked an executive order from President Donald Trump that would have barred Harvard University from enrolling international students. Judge Allison Burroughs issued a restraining order preventing the implementation of the policy, citing the potential for “immediate and irreparable injury” to the university. The ruling came just hours after Harvard filed an amended lawsuit on Thursday, accusing the Trump administration of retaliating against the institution for exercising its First Amendment rights. The Trump administration argued that the ban, which was to last six months, was necessary for national security and accused Harvard of failing to address…
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed insinuations that some power brokers are influencing the governance of President Bola Tinubu. Wike said this at the 2025 OAU Distinguished Personality Lecture in Ile-Ife, the Osun State capital, on Thursday, where he delivered the keynote lecture at the event. “He has shown that he has the courage. Under Tinubu, there is nothing like cabal. This is a president that is in charge,” he said. The minister stated that all former Nigerian presidents, including Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, were not bold enough to remove the petrol subsidy…
In the spirit of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, on Thursday donated rams, bags of rice, and other food items to the Muslim community in Abia State. Presenting the items to the Muslim faithful led by Sarki Shehu Bello in Bende, Bende Local Government Area of the state, Hon. Kalu urged them to use the occasion to spread love to the indigent and put a smile on their faces. He promised never to relent in championing the cause and welfare of his people by spreading the dividends of democracy. Wishing them…
Bill Gates, chairman of the Gates Foundation, says the amount spent by the Nigerian government on its healthcare sector is “too small” to address endemic challenges. Speaking at a media roundtable on Wednesday, Gates said high maternal and child mortality rates will not reduce if healthcare investments are not ramped up. The billionaire philanthropist said he had spoken to President Bola Tinubu about the need to increase the country’s health budget. According to him, while he understands that the government faces many tradeoffs in public expenditure, boosting investments in healthcare are crucial. “Well, the amount of money Nigeria spends on…
Former Minister of Education and Petroleum, Professor Jibril Aminu, has died at the age of 85. Prof. Aminu, also a former lawmaker, passed away in Abuja on Thursday after a prolonged illness. He was a distinguished cardiologist, diplomat, academic, and public servant whose career spanned over five decades. His funeral prayer was scheduled for at 2:00pm at the Abuja National Mosque on Thursday. His remains will then be flown to Yola and later to his hometown in Song Local Government Area of Adamawa State for burial. A native of Adamawa State, Prof. Aminu’s journey in public life began with remarkable…
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday received Tunde Bakare, founder of the Citadel Global Community Church, at his Lagos residence. Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, shared a photo of the visit via his official X account. Bakare was among the aspirants in the 2023 presidential primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He scored no delegate votes as Tinubu won the election with 1,217 votes. Speaking in an interview with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) after meeting with Tinubu, Bakare said his lifelong vision is to see a functional and prosperous Nigeria. “My life, personal…
In a major infrastructural push for the nation’s capital, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday, announced that President Bola Tinubu has approved the commissioning of 10 landmark projects within the FCT, beginning Tuesday, June 10. Wike, who made this known during an inspection of a project to be commissioned by President Tinubu, outlined a schedule in which the President will personally inaugurate projects over 10 consecutive days. “Mr. President has finally approved the commissioning of projects to start on June 10, which is next Tuesday, after the Sallah holidays. “That will begin with the…