Author: Drum Africa Correspondent
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has just signed the N54.99 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill into law. Tinubu signed the budget in the presence of principal officers of the National Assembly and other top government officials in a small ceremony in his office at the State House, Abuja, on Friday. The bill was passed by the two Chambers of the National Assembly on Thursday, February 13, after Tinubu asked for an increase from the proposed N49.7tn. The National Assembly approved a ₦54.99 trillion ($36.6bn) budget for the fiscal year, surpassing President Bola Tinubu’s initial proposal of ₦54.2tn. This increase reflects additional anticipated…
The Redeemed Christian Church of God has announced free medical surgeries to mark the General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye’s 83rd birthday. Adeboye was born on March 2, 1942, in Ifewara, Osun State. He will be 83 on Sunday. According to a statement by his son, Pastor Leke Adeboye, on Thursday, the programme, which is part of the church’s Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, would offer free medical services in various areas, including obstetrics and gynaecology, surgeries, general surgeries, eye surgeries, dialysis sessions, reading glasses, and consultation. According to the church, the free medical services will be executed by the Redeemer’s Health…
The embattled former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, presided over a plenary session on Thursday with only four lawmakers in attendance. The session took place after security operatives allegedly forced open the chamber doors, granting Obasa and his loyalists access. As of 3 pm, the plenary was ongoing, but over 26 lawmakers boycotted the session in what appeared to be a show of support for the substantive Speaker, Mojisola Meranda. The lawmakers, gathered at the Assembly’s garden, reaffirmed their February 17 vote of confidence in Meranda, despite Obasa’s return, which was reportedly aided by armed men and suspected political thugs. A lawmaker,…
The Pan Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has called on security agencies not to ignore calls by the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drugs and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, that there were threats to her life and her staff. Afenifere said such comments must not be dismissed with mere platitudes. It said Prof Adeyeye stood at the frontline of Nigeria’s battle against counterfeit drugs, toxic consumables, and the nefarious interests of syndicates profiting from human suffering. Afenifere, in a statement by its Organising Secretary, Abagun Kole Omololu, said any attempt on her life was an assault on…
The impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, returned to the assembly complex on Thursday, accompanied by a heavy security detail. His arrival came shortly after security personnel assigned to the House of Assembly were withdrawn. There have also been reports of incumbent speaker, Mojisola Meranda’s security detail also being withdrawn. According to eyewitnesses, Obasa arrived at the assembly flanked by heavily armed police officers and civil defence personnel. Meranda and other members were reportedly absent during the incident as the House is on recess. A source also confirmed, “They have restored all Obasa’s security aides…
The Director-General of the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has raised the alarm over threats to her life and the safety of agency staff, calling on authorities to protect them as they navigate hazardous conditions in their duties. She also advocated for the death penalty for those involved in the production and sale of fake and counterfeit drugs in Nigeria. Speaking at a State House briefing at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Wednesday, Prof. Adeyeye disclosed that NAFDAC had recently seized illicit drugs worth over N1 trillion in an ongoing crackdown against substandard…
Bose Ogulu, the mother of Nigerian music sensation, Damini Ogulu, popularly called Burna Boy, has been nominated for Manager of the Year at the 2025 Music Week Awards. Organisers of the award on Wednesday announced Bose Ogulu alongside other contenders in the global music industry, including Alistair Goldsmith, Neil Hughes, and Wes Banton. This year’s Music Week Awards is scheduled to be held on May 8 at JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London, United Kingdom. The Music Week Awards celebrates excellence in the music industry, including labels, A&R, live events, and management. Winners for the annual award are selected through…
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery, on Wednesday, announced a reduction in the ex-depot (gantry) price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, commonly referred to as petrol, by N65.00. This means the price will drop from N890 to N825 per litre, effective Thursday, February 27, 2025, a statement by the refinery stated. According to Dangote, this adjustment is designed to provide essential relief to Nigerians ahead of the Ramadan season. The statement read, “Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a reduction in the ex-depot (gantry) price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly referred to as petrol, by N65.00, from N890 to N825 per litre,…
The Joint Administration and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says there will be no extension of the ongoing registration for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The spokesperson of JAMB, Dr Fabian Benjamin in a statement noted that the Registration for the exam which began on February 3rd 2025 will end on 8 March 2025, urging all interested participants to register to avoid last minute rush promptly. “The registration period for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which began on February 3, will conclude on March 8, 2025. This deadline has been clearly communicated in all advertisements and the official…
The South East Caucus in the House of Representatives has urged the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to consider reopening the Onitsha Bridgehead Market in Anambra State. The leader of the caucus, Mr. Igariwey Iduma made the call at a news conference, in Abuja. He said that the caucus unequivocally condemn the nefarious activities of unscrupulous traders in the market. The leader also said that the caucus frowns at the activities of the so-called businessmen and women, who peddle and engage in the business of production and distribution of fake and adulterated medications and drugs…