Author: Drum Africa Correspondent
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu has said that Public Relations must incorporate a needs analysis mechanism to truly understand what concerns citizens the most and identify potential pathways forward. DrumAfricanews reports that Kalu said the above in Kaduna on Thursday, at the Nigeria Public Relations Week (Croc City) 2026 with the theme: “Food Security: From Policy Paper to Public Plate; the Imperatives of Public Relations” The Deputy Speaker called on public relations practitioners to move beyond image polishing and embrace candid, issues-based engagement with Nigerians, saying transparency is now central to governance and…
According to an official letter submitted to Governor Hope Uzodimma by a delegation from the office of Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, the One Kindred One Business Initiative (OKOBI) poverty alleviation initiative of the Imo State Governor has been adopted as a nationwide programme. In a formal letter seen by DrumAfricanews, Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima commended Governor Hope Uzodimma’s One Kindred One Business Initiative (OKOBI) and announced its adoption as a blueprint for youth empowerment, human capital development, and grassroots entrepreneurship across Nigeria. The vice president in the official letter expressed keen interest in the initiative, which encourages families, kindreds,…
The outgoing president of the Nigerian Association of Economists (NAE), Prof. Innocent Eleazu, has said that continuous refusal of the federal government to take advice from indigenous experts, especially those in international development finance and economic management, has been a major setback to the nation’s economy. Prof. Eleazu, a United States of America (USA)-based consultant, went further to say that Nigeria’s economic woes got worse when former President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government refused to accept recommendations from NAE on how to lead Nigeria’s economy out of recession in 2021. The outgoing NAE president also noted that Buhari’s administration refused to…
The recent appointment of Dr Ezinne Chinyere Benjamin-Kalu, wife of the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, as the Chairman of the Management Board of the Abia State Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH) is generating serious reactions, especially from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and media aides of the governor. According to Dr Emmanuel Meribole, secretary to the state government, the appointments of Dr Kalu and others take immediate effect is aimed at strengthening governance, improving service delivery, and enhancing the quality of medical training and healthcare services provided by the hospital. Reacting to the appointment, Nwakwuribe Elendu said that the appointment of Dr…
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Club 17 Peace Initiative, Abia State chapter, has unanimously adopted President Bola Tinubu for re-election. In a unanimous resolution, the group also joined calls across Abia State urging the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, to consider joining the 2027 Abia State governorship race. DrumAfricanews reports that the decision was reached during a strategic stakeholders’ meeting held in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, where members gathered to review both national and state-level political directions. The meeting was well attended by the leadership of the group, led by Hon.…
Prince Eze Ugochukwu In May 2021, Professor Ikechukwu N.S. Dozie entered the office of Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma as an unknown figure. The Governor had no prior acquaintance with him. The institution he had been appointed to lead—Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe University (KOMU)—existed only on paper. A reconstituted entity from the defunct Eastern Palm University, the institution functioned with fewer than 300 students, held zero accredited programmes, and operated with a disoriented staff. This fragile situation was further exacerbated by escalating insecurity across the Orlu zone. On April 15, 2026—four years and eleven months later—Professor Dozie addressed the 3rd…
…vow to support uzodimma’s choice of candidate All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in Owerri Senatorial Zone have commended the Imo Elders Council for its recent decision and resolution to cede the 2027 governorship of the state to the zone. They went on to thank the Elders Council for choosing to do justice after in the spirit of the newly enthroned charter of equity, describing the move as timely and necessary for stability and balance in the state. Ambrose Nwaogwugwu, State Assistant Publicity Secretary, Imo State APC in a press statement said that the position was made known during the Owerri…
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has congratulated Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (OUK), on the occasion of his 66th birthday. Kalu, in a goodwill message on Tuesday, joined families, friends, political allies and well-wishers across the nation to felicitate the Senator. He prayed for God’s blessings upon the former Abia governor, wishing him good health and renewed strength. “As you mark another year today, I pray that Almighty God grants you good health and renewed strength. “May your new age bring you peace and joy. Happy Birthday, Your Excellency”, he said.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and 2027 Abia Central Senatorial District aspirant, Hon. Emeka Atuma, has said that he is passionate about representing his Senatorial District, and is fully prepared for the responsibility ahead. Atuma said said this when a coalition of Osisioma Ngwa-based political groups paid a solidarity visit to him and endorsed him as their sole candidate for the Abia Central Senate seat. He reminded all present that, just like every other person contesting for the Abia Central Senate seat, he had held elective office before as the member representing the Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency between…
The Orlu Zurumee, the apex sociocultural association of the Orlu people (Orlu Senatorial District), has inducted Nze Ralph Nwosu, Imo State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructural Development, as one of its patrons, following his landmark achievements in the area of infrastructure both in the system and Orlu. Also inducted are Chief of Staff to Governor Hope Uzodimma, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie; Hon. Ugwumba Uche Nwosu; and a host of many dignified dignitaries spread across the great Orlu Zone, whose contribution to the growth of the Orlu Zone has not gone unnoticed. DrumAfricanews reports that Orlu Zụrụmee invested an award of excellence…