Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ebonyi State Command, has given illegal miners operating across the state a September deadline to regularise their activities or face arrest and prosecution. The State Commandant, Commander Francis Nnadi, disclosed this on Friday while speaking with journalists at the command headquarters in Abakaliki. He said the command’s security interventions were yielding results, with several offenders arrested and prosecuted. Nnadi said the NSCDC would intensify enforcement against unauthorised mining and other activities that threaten public safety and degrade the environment. He said the command was working with the Ebonyi State Ministry of Solid…

Joint National Association of Persons with Disabilities (JONAPWD), Anambra State Chapter has urged its leaders to challenge harmful beliefs that make persons with disabilities easy targets for abuse. State Chairman, JONAPWD, Comrade Okeke Ugochukwu Ernest made the call in Awka during a Dialogue of Leaders with Disabilities on Gender-Based Violence Prevention. The event themed: “From Complaint to Deliberate Action — Redefining Disability Inclusion for Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Community Protection,” was supported by ActionAid. Okeke stressed the need for the members to be empowered with information about their rights as well as encourage survivors to speak without shame. “We must…

The Etugo Divine Mandate (Maka Odinma Ndi Abia), core support structure of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Governorship candidate in Abia State, Chief Ndubuisi Etugo Ogah, has dissociated itself from a campaign poster circulating publicly with the inscription, “Abia Rejoice.” In a statement issued by the group, the Etugo Divine Mandate said neither Chief Etugo Ogah nor its campaign organization needs the “Abia Rejoice” inscription, its promoters, or any other platform to achieve what it described as the divine mandate entrusted to Ogah. The Etugo Divine Mandate expressed confidence in Chief Etugo Ogah’s electoral victory in 2027, describing his candidacy…

The Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Moses Ije Odunwa has been described as a man too focused on delivering good governance, empowering the good people of Ikwo South Constituency and leaving lasting footprints of development to be distracted by the noise of uninformed critics. Theophilus Ifeanyi Igwe, Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker said that while some engage in needless media attacks, driven largely by ignorance, envy or inbuilt jealousy, Odunwa remains committed to the things that truly matter – performance, service and the welfare of his people. Igwe reiterated that the Speaker’s records across…

Prince Eze Ugochukwu Nkwerre people, your prayers have been heard. The design plan and concept for the New Nkwerre General Hospital has been revealed, and it’s everything the community has been hoping for. From the 3D render, the  Main Hospital Facility will be a spacious, two-storey building. The plan shows proper planning for both patients and staff: Main Hospital Facility A modern building designed for wards, emergency, and outpatient care. Doctor and Staff Car Parking A well-organized parking area right in front of the facility Land for Expansion and Staff Quarters Extra land set aside behind the hospital for future…

The Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) has commenced moves to strengthen and revive the HIV response at the grassroots through the repositioning of Local Action Committee on AIDS (LACA) structures and closer integration with the HIV/AIDS Awareness Brigade (HAB) across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state. The Executive Director/Project Manager of ANSACA, Dr. Nkem Okeke, disclosed this during a strategic engagement with LACA Managers and HAB Coordinators held on September 2 in Awka. A major highlight of the meeting was the move to establish a 1,693-member Ward HIV/AIDS Brigade, designed to deepen HIV awareness, prevention, testing, referrals…

Residents and youths of Enugu State on Friday marched through popular streets in the state capital in support of the government’s campaign against insecurity, declaring their zero tolerance for terror, criminality and violent extremism. The youths, including undergraduates and members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who ultimately converged at Government House, Enugu, where they were received by the Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, pledged to mobilise young people across the state against criminal activities and violent extremism. Addressing the group, Mbah said security was one of the recurring risk factors identified by his administration while mapping out…

The Youth and Students Advocates for Development Initiative (YSAD) has expressed profound concern over the recent disclosure by the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, regarding the tenure of local government mayors and councilors. During the monthly media chat, the Governor revealed that the tenure of these local government officials will end in November 2028, contrary to the widely held belief of November 2026, citing an amendment to the law by the State House of Assembly. According to YSAD, it views this revelation as a critical failure of inclusive governance, adding that the fact that a law of such…

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, today, received the Daily Times Nigeria @100 Times Heroes Lawmaker of the Year Award (House of Representatives category). The Bende Abia state born lawmaker, who received the award on Thursday at the Daily Times Nigeria @100 Centenary Celebration and Times Heroes Awards held at the THISDAY Dome, Abuja, alongside prominent Nigerians and institutions recognised for their contributions to national development, described the recognition as both an honour and a renewed call to public service. Those that were equally honoured were President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo…

The Governorship candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2027 governorship election in Abia State, Chief Etugo Ndubuisi Ogah, has dismissed rumours suggesting that he is merely a placeholder candidate of the party. Ogah went on to insist that he remains the authentic candidate of the NDC for the 2027 governorship election, stressing that his candidature has no placeholder tag on it. While addressing women leaders of the party in Umuahia, he stated that his position was not in doubt, as his name had already been published on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), portal as the Governorship…