Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

The Federal Ministry of Education has announced the reappointment of Professor Joseph Ikechebelu as the new acting vice-chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (NAU). Ikechebelu’s reappointment as the new vice-chancellor of the university was announced in a letter on Wednesday by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Nasir Sani-Gwarzo. “Sequel to the approval of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR vide letter Ref: PRES/84/EDU/10 dated 18th November, 2024 nullifying the appointment of Prof. Benard Ifeanyi Odoh as the 7th substantive vice chancellor of the university who was illegally appointed by the dissolved 10th Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University,…

The House of Representatives at plenary passed for a second reading a Bill seeking to amend the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to provide for an increase in the number of Judges in the FCT High Courts. The proposed legislation was sponsored by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, Rep. Babajimi Benson, Rep. Akin Rotimi, Jr and five others. Leading the debate on its general principles, one of the co-sponsors Rep. Jonathan Gbefwi stated that the Bill seeks to address a fundamental aspect of the judiciary’s ability to deliver timely justice, which is an increase of the number…

The federal government has affirmed that the monthly allocation funds from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) would no longer be disbursed into the Rivers State government’s account.  The spokesperson of the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, Bawa Mokwa revealed FG’s position on Friday. DRUM AFRICA NEWS recalls that a court had ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the federal government to stop the payment of FAAC revenue to Rivers State until Governor Fubara represents the state’s budget to the House of Assembly recognized by the law. Mokwa said the decision is in compliance with…

The Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has secured the backing of Nigerian governors for the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). This followed a productive meeting with the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), in Abuja where Kalu who was accompanied by the principal officers of the House revealed that the governors are receptive to the proposed amendments. The Deputy Speaker, who chaired the Constitution Review Committee of the House, emphasized the vital role of governors as heads of sub-national governments. He recognized the importance of updating them on parliamentary progress to prepare the State…

The National Economic Council has set up a special committee to look into ways of diversifying the generation of electricity in Nigeria. The Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, disclosed this while briefing Journalists at the end of this month’s meeting of the Council, presided over by Vice President Kashim Shettima. He said the intention is to empower States and regions towards meeting their specific electricity needs. The Ondo State Governor said the council took the decision after it was briefed by the Managing Director of the country’s Rural Electrification Agency on the National Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan. He…

The Nigerian President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has promised to prioritise social safety nets for citizens to cushion the unintended effects of ongoing economic reforms, as the nation records positive improvements in the economy. President Tinubu stated this on Wednesday night in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, when the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Kristalina Georgieva, paid him a courtesy call on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit. While acknowledging that the reforms had weakened Nigerians’ purchasing power, President Tinubu in a statement issued by his Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, said his administration will continue to prioritise the…

Finnish-Nigerian separatist leader Simon Ekpa has been arrested in Finland alongside four others on suspicion of terror-related activities, including incitement to violence and terrorism financing. According to local publication Yle, Ekpa was remanded in custody by the Päijät-Häme District Court on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent. The publication reported that the Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrests in a statement on Thursday, noting that the other suspects were apprehended for allegedly financing terrorist activities. “The detention demands are related to a preliminary investigation in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in…

The Senate has granted approval to the ₦1.77 trillion ($2.2b) loan request of President Bola Tinubu after a voice vote in favor of the request. The Senate presided by Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, approved the loan after the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts chaired by Senator Wammako Magatarkada (APC, Sokoto North) presented the report of the committee. The request which was submitted by the President on Tuesday is part of a fresh external borrowing plan to partially finance the N9.7 trillion budget deficit for the 2024 fiscal year. Tinubu had on Tuesday written to the National Assembly,…

The Peoples Democratic Party has condemned the conduct of the Ondo State governorship election on Saturday by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), calling it ‘a sham’. The opposition party, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Sunday, said it is reviewing the outcome of the poll. According to INEC’s declaration, PDP’s candidate Agboola Ajayi came a distant second with a total votes of 117,845 behind the winner, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who polled 366,781 votes. The opposition party in its statement, described the election as the worst ever to…

Speculation is rife that Inter Miami are close to signing Brazilian forward Neymar Jr, according to a report by Marca on Saturday. The Brazilian, who joined Saudi club Al-Hilal from the big-spending Paris Saint-Germain in 2023, formed a formidable partnership with former teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez as the trio dazzled European football during their time at Barcelona with their goal-scoring abilities and strong collaboration. The trio’s partnership was dubbed ‘MSN’ during their time at the Catalan club. Unfortunately, Neymar has struggled with fitness issues, and there are indications that Al-Hilal may terminate his contract, having featured only seven…