Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

The Concerned Elders of Rivers State have condemned recent remarks by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, directed at elder statesman and former Governor of the state, Peter Odili. Wike, also a former Governor of Rivers State, recently claimed at a public function that he had brought Odili out of political obscurity. He also referred to Odili as a “General Overseer,” referencing the appointments of Odili’s wife, Justice Mary Odili (retired), and his daughter, Dr Adaeze Oreh, to key positions in Rivers State by Governor Siminalayi Fubara. In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday night,…

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has approved N8bn to clear the backlog of liabilities in pensions and gratuities of retired primary school teachers and other civil servants in the state. The governor, who announced the approval on Wednesday at the council chamber of the Government House in Maiduguri, said the N8bn would clear liabilities accrued from 2019 to 2021. “Since I took over in 2019 to date, we have paid about N25bn for the settlement of gratuities for those that have worked with local and state governments,” Zulum said. He pledged that his administration would settle the backlog of gratuities…

Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, has announced the return of history studies in Nigerian schools. According to him, President Bola Tinubu has mandated the return of Nigerian History as a subject in primary and secondary schools. The Minister said this on Tuesday when he was featured as a guest on Channels Television’s End-of-Year Special Review show. Drum Africa reports that the previous administration had banned history from being taught in primary and secondary schools. “Let me go to basic education, the curriculum is good…what has been missing in the past is Nigerian history,” he said. “We have now people of…

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has pledged that his administration would prioritise the welfare of the State’s residents in 2025 to alleviate hardship in the country. The Governor in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed on New Year Day, disclosed that he will focus on soft infrastructure in the 2025 fiscal year after a relentless two years of infrastructural upgrade of the state. He noted the new year will witness new and continuation of old social programmes designed to cushion the effect of the hard time on the people of the state and acknowledged the many advances of…

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu was seen in several photos having a nice time with entertainers, including Wizkid, Burna Boy, Tiwa Savage, Olamide and others at the #GreaterLagosCountdown2025. In a statement shared by the governor on X on Wednesday, he thanked artists and residents who made the event remarkable. He said “A heartfelt thank you to the incredible artists who honoured Lagos’ call to perform and made the night unforgettable—Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Burna Boy, Olamide, Seyi Vibez, and many more. “Your talent and passion lit up the stage and brought joy to every corner of Lagos. Last night, Lagos came…

The Nigeria Labour Congress has called for the withdrawal of the Tax Reform Bills submitted by President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly, urging a more inclusive process involving key national stakeholders. The union, in its New Year message to Nigerians on Tuesday, emphasised the need for the government to prioritise citizen welfare and address the rising cost of living in 2025. The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, described the bills as controversial, particularly in northern regions, where they have been criticised as detrimental to economic growth. He stated that creating a comprehensive national tax policy requires collaboration across all sectors…

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has extended heartfelt congratulations to Nigerians on the occasion of New Year’s Day, January 1, 2025, urging hope, renewal, and optimism for a brighter future. He reflected on the significant progress made in the outgoing year and assured Nigerians that the new year will bring promise and possibility. Kalu expressed pride in the legislative milestones achieved in the past year, which have laid the groundwork for a brighter future for Nigeria. The Deputy Speaker said he is also committed to addressing pressing issues in the coming year, including…

Bayelsa State government on Tuesday said it received the shocking news of the demise of Mrs. Elizabeth Bidei, the Commissioner for Women Affairs. Though the cause of death could not be immediately ascertained, Mrs Bidei, a member of the state executive council, reportedly died on Monday 30th December, 2024. The death of Mrs Bidei was disclosed in a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai. The statement read: “The Governor, Senator Douye Diri and government of Bayelsa State, received the shocking news of the demise of Mrs. Elizabeth Bidei on Monday 30th December,…

Members of Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital (UNIMEDTH), Ondo town chapter, have begun indefinite strike over alleged poor condition of service. The doctors were said to have protested on Monday after management of the hospital refused to accede to their demands. They demanded a stop to illegal deductions from their salaries, check on huge payment of taxes, non-payment of hazard allowance, among others. President of UNIMEDTH ARD, Dr Olaogbe Kehinde, said the workload was too much for doctors in the hospital. He said many doctors had resigned, while others left without prior notification due…

President Bola Tinubu, early this morning, assured Nigerians that all their sacrifices in the last over 19 months that he took over power and in the months ahead, would not be in vain. In his New Year message, the president, who promised to continue to serve the people diligently and wholeheartedly, also listed some of his achievements in the year that just ended, despite the challenges his government faced. However, setting agenda for the New Year, the president who listed some of the plans in the offing, intended to make 2025 a much better year, urged the citizens, too, to…