Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

Excitement filled the air as Eastwing Aviation Institute made history in Emene, Enugu, becoming the first private aviation school to hold its inaugural matriculation ceremony. The event unfolded on the school grounds, where new students donned their matriculation gowns, surrounded by family and well-wishers. During the ceremony, the founder of the institute, Dr Christopher Edeh, emphasised the significance of this milestone in the school’s history. “Today, we gather to formally welcome and induct our pioneering students into the Eastwing Aviation Institute family. This momentous occasion marks the start of an exhilarating journey filled with discovery, growth, and transformation,” Edeh stated.…

The Bayelsa State Government has approved the payment of N80,000 as minimum wage for staff of local government councils after pressure from the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress. The government also assured that it would add to the December salaries the differentials arising from the ongoing discussions on the template used in paying the new minimum wage in November. The state’s acting governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made this known on Tuesday, at the Government House, Yenagoa during a meeting with the state minimum wage implementation committee and chairmen of the eight local government councils. The meeting also had representatives…

Kogi State Government has charged Examination Misconduct, Investigation and Disciplinary Committee to investigate the involvement of Schools and Persons indicted in the conduct of the 2024 West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in the state. The State Commissioner for Education, Wemi Jones, who gave the charge on Tuesday while inaugurating the committee in Lokoja the state capital, described examination malpractice as a cankerworm that must be stem in the bud as it affects the future of children. According to him, the committee is to investigate the level of involvement of schools and persons and to recommend the appropriate punishment…

Fom Daniel Chollom, a member of the House of Representatives under the Labour Party, announced his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, citing the Labour Party’s leadership crisis and his desire to support the President in national development. In a letter read during plenary by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, Chollom explained that the party’s internal conflicts had made it difficult for him to align with any faction, hindering his ability to deliver effective representation. Reacting to the defection, Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi criticized those leaving the Labour Party, labeling them as individuals lacking ideological commitment and urging…

The FCT High Court has remanded former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello in Kuje Prison, adjourning his trial to January 29. The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has remanded the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, in Kuje Correctional Centre. The ruling comes amid his trial for alleged money laundering. Judge Maryann Anenih denied Bello’s bail application, stating it was filed prematurely, as he was not in custody nor before the court when the request was made. She cited the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), which stipulates that bail applications must be made when a defendant…

Federal Capital Territory High Court, on Tuesday, rejected the bail application of former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, citing procedural irregularities in the filing of the application. Justice Maryanne Anenih, while delivering the ruling, stated that the application was premature as it was filed before Bello was present in court or in custody. The judge said, “Having not been filed when the first defendant was either in custody or before the court, this instant application is incompetent. “Consequently, the application, having been filed prematurely, is hereby refused.” Bello, alongside two others, is facing charges brought by the Economic and Financial…

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu; Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago; Controller-General of Immigration Service, Kemi Nana Nandap and the wife of Bayelsa State governor, Gloria Douye Diri, were among personalities inducted yesterday as fellows of the African Business School (ABS). Others inducted include a former governorship candidate in Imo State, Ugwumba Uche Nwosu; Olatubosun Shamsuldeen Adeniyi Kuku and Dr Vivian Chinonyerem Obidinnu. Speaking during the induction ceremony in Abuja, President of the African Business School, King Goddy Idaminabo Idikisime-Olunwa, said the fellows awardees were selected in recognition of their significant contributions in their respective fields. He called on the…

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is ready to sanction any airlines that delay ticket refunds to passengers. Mr Michael Achimugu, NCAA Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja. According to him, tickets refund compliance regulations remains central to the NCAA’s consumer protection agenda. He said that time had come for airlines to adhere strictly to the refund timelines as failure to comply will attract immediate sanctions under Part 19 of the regulations. The director said the Part 19 of the NCAA Regulations 2023 aimed to safeguard passenger rights. “Cash…

The South East Caucus in the Senate has joined other stakeholders in the polity to call for broader consultations on the Tax Reform Bills currently pending consideration and possible passage by the National Assembly. Leader of the Caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South), made this known today during a press briefing after a closed-door meeting with senators from the five South Eastern states held in his office. Abaribe underpinned that the South East senators are not opposed to the bills but are advocating for extensive consultations with their constituents and key stakeholders before a final decision is made in…

The Principal Special Assistant to the state governor on Livestock Development and Transboundary Animal Disease Control to Benue State Governor, Dr Aondoaka Asambe has stated that the state government would soon conduct livestock census in the state. Asambe disclosed this on Monday in Makurdi after assessing the abattoir livestock market. He said this would help to put an end to incessant farmers/herders clashes and other forms of criminality across the state. He expressed the desire of the governor to turn around the fortunes of the livestock industry in the state. According to him, all livestock establishments in the state would…