Author: Drum Africa Correspondent
The Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor has been identified as one of the survivors of the boat accidents that claimed five lives in Delta State on Tuesday. A statement by Guwor’s Chief Press Secretary on Wednesday, Nkem Nwaeke said the speaker is yet to recover from the shock. The statement added that the speaker was returning to Asaba, en route Warri after engagement with constituents on the faithful Friday afternoon. Five persons were said to have lost their lives, six were injured and twenty persons still missing after the devastating boat accident in…
As part of move to reconcile the members, ahead of the next general elections and making it formidable to clinch back power in 2027, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has inaugurated members of the reconciliation committee that will help galvanize and resolve grievances of members. At the State Secretariat of the party in Umuahia, the Chairman of the PDP in Abia, Elder Abraham Amah, said the party is eager to take back power it lost in 2023, therefore , the urgent need to rebuild its broken walls. He said it is pertinent that the party puts its house in order,…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has raised the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) to 27.50 per cent from 27.25 per cent as part of efforts to combat surging inflation. This followed the meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). The monetary policy rate measures the benchmark interest rate. The CBN governor Yemi Cardoso announced this in Abuja on Tuesday during the last MPC meeting of the year at the apex bank’s headquarters. Cardoso said the MPC voted unanimously to raise the MPR by 25 basis points from 27.25% to 27.50%; and retain the…
Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Uchendu Ph.D, the immediate past Deputy Speaker of the Abia State House Of Assembly has heaped Praise on the Deputy Speaker of the Federal House Of Representative, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu following his efforts in addressing the severe Humanitarian crises in the South East region. In a statement issued to the media, Rt. Hon. Uchendu particularly eulogized the astute law maker for convening round table discussions with International non-governmental organizations and government agencies. The Statement reads in full; Dear Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, I commend you for your leadership and unwavering dedication in addressing the severe…
The Port Harcourt Refinery in Rivers State has commenced crude oil processing. According to the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Femi Soneye, the refinery will operate at 60 percent capacity. Earlier, NNPCL said it is working closely with relevant stakeholders to boost crude oil production to 2 million barrels per day and above by the end of 2024.
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Affam Osigwe, has expressed strong reservations of a recent remarks of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede over the role of lawyers in financial fraud. Osigwe, who acknowledged that no profession is entirely from ethical breaches or misconduct, described the sweeping characterization of lawyers as primary enablers of financial crimes as both inaccurate and unwarranted. He made this remark during the unveiling of the 2025 NBA General Conference logo and theme.
President Bola Tinubu on Monday expressed excitement at the economy’s third-quarter growth statistics as revealed by the National Bureau of Statistics. According to the report Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 3.46 per cent in real terms in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024 on a year-on-year basis. “I am excited by the latest report from the National Bureau of Statistics that our economy grew in the third quarter more than last quarter and even beyond projected estimates,” President Tinubu said ”While I welcome this development, the latest figure also shows the much work that needs to be done.…
Abia State Government has assured Abia people and residents that it will provide adequate security for them especially this yuletide. The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu stated this while briefing the press on the outcome of this week’s state executive council meeting presided over by Governor Alex Otti. He said the State Government would not yield any part of the State to criminals and criminal elements. “As a responsible government, the administration will continue to take the security of lives and property of Abians very seriously. “As the yuletide approaches, the State Government wishes to reassure Abians that Government…
The Nigerian Air Force airstrikes have killed terrorists in the notorious enclave in Jubillaram, the Tumbuns area of Lake Chad. A statement by the Director Public Relations and Information Headquarters, Air Commodore Olusola Akinboyewa on Monday said the feat was achieved by the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (AC OPHK) on Saturday, after the team delivered a crushing blow to terrorists. Akinboyewa also said Jubbillaram was the food storage site and a sanctuary for terrorist commanders and fighters. “Intelligence had previously linked terrorists in this location to recent attacks, including the assault on troops in Kareto on 16 November…
The lawmaker representing Abia South Senatorial District, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has said that nobody approached the National Assembly with a request for a new presidential jet before the purchase was eventually made. The Presidency had in August unveiled a new Airbus A330 purchased for President Bola Tinubu. Following the new jet purchase, the Presidency faced so many criticisms from Nigerians who felt the President prioritized his luxury while neglecting the economic hardship faced by the masses. Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga had in one of his explanations, said that what was purchased was not a new jet as was reported but…