Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has appealed to the Federal Government not to systemically phase out the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) which has “transformed” tertiary educational institutions in Nigeria in the last three decades. ASUU warned that suffocating the funding source of TETFund to run the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) would destroy public education in the country. “The only source of funding is from TETFund, so when you destroy it, you have destroyed public universities,” ASUU President Emmanuel Osodeke said. He alleged that some members of the ruling class “want to destroy public universities and ensure…

While some reports claimed that Netflix has decided to abandon the Nigerian market because of inflation among other challenges facing the country, the firm has denied exiting the country. However, Drum Africa learned that Netflix was only cutting funding for Nigerian movies. Relatedly, the United Kingdom (UK) and Nigeria have agreed to strengthen economic ties through a co-production agreement, facilitating collaboration between film industries in both countries to produce content for domestic and international markets. A report quoted an official of Netflix on the condition of anonymity as saying: “We are exiting the Nigerian market. We have lost too many…

The Senate yesterday summoned Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo (SAN), airline operators and other stakeholders in the sector over incessant flight delays and cancellations in the country. The Senate’s resolution followed its consideration, adoption and approval of a motion moved by the chairman of its Committee on Aviation, Abdulfatai Buhari, during plenary. In his motion titled: Incessant delayed and cancelled flights by Airline Operators in Nigeria, Buhari, who is representing Oyo North in the National Assembly, noted that delayed and cancelled flights had become too frequent. The senator said there were series of reports in the media on…

The Senate on Wednesday set up a committee to review the controversial Tax Reform Bills that are before the National Assembly. The Committee which is headed by Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South) will meet with the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to address grey areas in the bills and revert to Senate before public hearing. The Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin disclosed this during plenary on Wednesday. Barau, who presided over the session, said that the executive arm of the government agreed with the Senate that there is need to resolve all the issues causing…

President Bola Tinubu arrived in the country after departing for Cape Town, South Africa, to co-chair the 11th session of the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission alongside President Cyril Ramaphosa. President Tinubu touched down at 9;10pm at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport . Present to receive the president were the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila as well as the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu Others include the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje and the Commissioner of Police FCT, Peter Opara. The 11th session of the BNC featured deliberations across eight…

Governor Alex Otti has frowned at the attitude of Abia pensioners who after receiving their many years of pension arrears in line with the agreement entered with the government now accused the government of deceiving them. Governor Alex Otti made this known during a crucial meeting he held with the leadership of the NLC and TUC including the Affiliate Bodies in the State led by the NLC Chairman, Comrade Ogbonnaya Okoro. He noted that his administration met on ground unpaid pension arrears dating from 2014 and has defrayed the same, noting that since April this year, Abia pensioners have been…

Namibia’s ruling SWAPO party was declared winner Tuesday of last week’s disputed elections, ushering in the southern African country’s first woman president after a disputed vote that the main opposition has already said it does not recognise. Vice-President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah took just over 57 percent of ballots followed by the candidate for the main opposition Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) with 25.5 percent, the election authority announced. Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, becomes the first woman to rule the mineral-rich southern African country that has been governed by the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) since independence in 1990.

A bill to establish the Federal Institute of Entrepreneurship and Technical Skills Development in Osisioma, Abia State, sponsored by Senator Austin Akobundu, has passed its First Reading in the Senate. This bill is part of Senator Austin Akobundu’s legislative mission to harness the unique advantages of the Abia Central Senatorial District. It aims to enhance the entrepreneurial and technical skills of the people in Osisioma LGA and the nearby city of Aba. A statement by his Media aide Chief Jude Ndukwe, revealed that Senator Akobundu has previously sponsored bills for the establishment of the National Sports University in Nsulu, the…

Residents of Damaturu were thrown into chaos following an early Tuesday fire that ravaged a market popularly known as the “Bayan Tasha” market, in Damaturu, Yobe State capital. Report says that property worth millions of naira were destroyed in the inferno. The quick response of the fire service helped to contain the situation before it spread to nearby residential areas The distress call about the fire, coupled with the prompt intervention of the firefighters, helped prevent further damage. The call was made just as the fire was beginning, allowing them to respond swiftly. During a visit to the market, our…

The Senate on Tuesday at plenary confirmed the appointment of Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede as the substantive Chief of Army Staff (COAS). The confirmation followed adoption of the Committee on Army’s report on the Oluyede screening. The report was presented by the Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Abdulaziz Yar’adua (APC-Katsina). Yar’adua said the committee was impressed with the high level of understanding, achievements, and excellence stated in the credentials of the nominee. He said the nomination of Oluyede is in line with Section 217, Subsection 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended. He also said…