Author: Drum Africa Correspondent
More than 200 Pakistani inmates escaped from a jail in the mega coastal city of Karachi on Tuesday after several earthquake tremors, government officials said. Of the 216 inmates that fled, around 87 have been caught while the rest are still at large, Sindh province’s Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said. One inmate died and 12 others, including some security staff, were wounded during the jail break at around 01:30am (2030 GMT). “There was a panic among the prisoners because of the earthquake,” Memon said. The head of the provincial government’s prison service was removed from his role after the…
The Federal Government has dismissed speculations that the recent devastating flood in Mokwa, Niger State, was triggered by a failure or release of water from nearby dams, affirming that both the Kainji and Jebba dams remain structurally sound and operational. Addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, clarified that preliminary investigations indicate the disaster was primarily caused by torrential rainfall, the effects of climate change, and obstruction of natural waterways by unregulated development. “We want to categorically state that the flood was not caused by any release of water from…
Hundreds of women in the troubled Apa Local Government Area of Benue State on Tuesday took to the streets to protest the incessant killings in their communities. The women, who thronged the major road in Ugbokpo, the headquarters of Apa LGA, expressed anguish over the escalating attacks. Many lamented being rendered widows, with countless children left orphaned. In recent times, communities such as Ijaha Ikobi, Edikwu-Ankpali, and Odugbo have experienced multiple attacks, leading to the deaths of numerous residents. Just last Sunday, 25 people were reportedly killed in the area. Protesting under the banner of “Voice of the Hopeless Women,”…
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has issued a firm warning to members of the State Executive Council, emphasising that performance, rather than talebearing, will determine their continued stay in office. The governor gave the warning on Monday, during the inauguration of eight newly built duplexes at the Commissioners’ Quarters in Asaba, stressing that underperformance would not be tolerated. Oborevwori clarified that while there is no blanket dissolution plan as rumoured, underperforming commissioners would be shown the door. He said, “If you are not performing, we will drop you, and that will not affect other people. “If you are performing, you…
The National Association of Polytechnic Students has called for the legislative upgrade of polytechnics to degree-awarding institutions. In a statement on Monday signed by its President, Comrade Eshiofune Oghayan, the association said the upgrade will resolve the lingering dichotomy between Higher National Diploma and Bachelor of Science holders. “We urge Mr. President and the National Assembly to empower polytechnics to award Bachelor of Technology and Bachelor of Science in Technology degrees. This reform will resolve the lingering dichotomy between HND and BSc holders,” the statement said. The students further proposed a Student Insurance Scheme, mental health awareness campaigns, and improved…
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has criticised former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, over his recent “I’m hungry” remark. Speaking on Monday during a media parley in Abuja, Wike asserted that the ex-Rivers State governor is hungry for power, not food, contrary to Amaechi’s claim. Amaechi had, during an event marking his 60th birthday last week, commented on the state of the economy, stating, “We’re all hungry, all of us are. If you’re not hungry, I am. For us, the opposition, if you want us to remove the man in power, we can remove him from…
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has renewed its demand for the payment of outstanding allowances and salary arrears, calling attention to long-standing concerns about compensation, employment conditions, and the treatment of its members in public health institutions. The association raised these concerns during its May Ordinary General Meeting and Scientific Conference, held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The event, themed “The Medical Profession: Policies, Politics, and Future Prospects,” ended on Saturday with a communiqué highlighting grievances affecting resident doctors nationwide. The communiqué was jointly signed by NARD President, Dr. Osundara Tope, Secretary-General Odunbaku Kazeem Oluwasola, and Public and…
The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria has directed its members nationwide to suspend their planned industrial action, originally scheduled to commence on Monday, June 2, for two weeks. The strike has been postponed following the intervention of the Minister of Labour and other stakeholders, who have held a series of meetings with union leaders over the past 48 hours. A statement released on Sunday by Mr Joel Ebiloma, Public Relations Officer of the JUSUN National Judicial Council Chapter, noted that the two-week reprieve was granted to allow the relevant authorities time to resolve outstanding issues. The meetings involved representatives of…
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has congratulated Governor Alex Otti of Abia State on the second anniversary of his administration. In a statement signed by Levinus Nwabughiogu, the Chief Press Secretary, Kalu noted the milestone and wished the governor continued success in his leadership endeavours. The Deputy Speaker acknowledged the challenges that come with governance and expressed hope that the administration would continue to work towards the betterment of Abia State. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between the legislative and executive arms of government to achieve developmental goals. Kalu reaffirmed his commitment…
The Federal Government has announced that students in both federal and state technical colleges will now enjoy free education. According to the government, the package includes free tuition, accommodation, feeding, and a monthly stipend of N22,500 for each student. Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, made the announcement during the launch of the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme in Abuja, on Friday. Alausa explained that the initiative is aimed at attracting more young people to TVET and encouraging them to acquire relevant skills that will make them productive members of the society.