Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

China on Tuesday said it would impose tariffs on imports of US energy, vehicles and equipment, firing a return salvo in an escalating trade war between the world’s two biggest economies. US President Donald Trump on Saturday announced sweeping measures against major trade partners Canada and Mexico, with goods from China hit with an additional 10 percent tariff on top of the duties they already endure. Minutes after they came into effect, Beijing unveiled levies of 15 percent on imports of coal and liquefied natural gas from the United States, while crude oil, agricultural machinery, big-engined vehicles, and pickup trucks…

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to pay a compensation fee of N1.12bn to Mike Madu’s family after he was killed by an INEC driver in Imo State. Justice Inyang Ekwo also ordered INEC to pay the N1.12bn with 10 per cent interest per annum from the date of judgment until the final or full payment is made, and mandated its Chairman, Prof. Yakubu Mahmood, and other defendants to send a letter of condolence to the late Madu’s family. “An order is hereby made for the defendants to pay the cost…

Ontario, Canada’s most populous province and its economic engine, announced on Monday a ban on US companies bidding on tens of billions of dollars worth of government contracts, and dumped a deal with Elon Musk’s Starlink in a pushback to US tariffs. “Ontario won’t do business with people hellbent on destroying our economy,” Ontario Premier Doug Ford said on X. “US-based businesses will now lose out on tens of billions of dollars in new revenues. They only have President Trump to blame.” Ford said he was “ripping up” a Can$100 million (US$68 million) contract with Starlink, signed in November, to…

The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) has suspended its scheduled protest after meeting with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The protest was against the 50 per cent increase in telecom tariffs and the suspension was announced during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday. Following the federal government’s approval of the tariff hike, the NCSCN has revealed a mass protest at the NCC headquarters and the National Assembly. Sharing an update, NCSCN Executive Director, Blessing Akinlosotu disclosed that detailed presentations, economic assessments and operational data provided during the meeting with the NCC resulted in a re-evaluation of the…

The Police Service Commission (PSC), has said it has no constitutional powers to determine the appointment or removal of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP. Recall that the Police Service Commission had last week directed all serving police officers who have served for 35 years, or attained the age of 60 years, to proceed on immediate retirement in line with existing laws. Since the directive several public commentators have argued that the directives should also affect the tenure of the IGP But Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations of the PSC, in a statement on Monday, said, “By virtue of…

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Nigerian music sensation Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, on winning the Best African Music Performance award at the 67th annual Grammy Awards held in Los Angeles on Sunday night. A statement issued on Monday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), stated that on behalf of the entire nation, President Tinubu commended the singer for her unique artistry, which has brought pride to Nigeria on the global stage for the second time. The President celebrated the rise of a new generation of young, multi-talented Nigerian musical artists who have propelled…

President Bola Tinubu swore in eight Federal Permanent Secretaries, 21 Federal Commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), one commissioner for the Federal Character Commission (FCC), and one commissioner for the National Population Commission on Monday. The eight permanent secretaries took the oath of office just before the commencement of the first Federal Executive Council meeting at the Council Chambers of the State House, Abuja. The swearing-in of the permanent secretaries, done in one batch, was anchored by the Director of Press, Media Office of the President, Biodun Oladunjoye. The permanent secretaries include Onwusoro Ihemelandu (Abia State),…

The lawmaker representing Delta North in the National Assembly, Senator Ned Nwoko, has disclosed that he left the Peoples Democratic Party because Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Ifeanyi Okowa did not give him space to function. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s aide, Mr. Fred Oghenesivbe, had accused Senator Nwoko of leaving the party over the fear of losing his PDP ticket in 2027. In a swift reaction, Nwoko disclosed on Monday that he had left the party because Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Ifeanyi Okowa were against the creation of Anioma state. He said, “I left because I want to be able to get…

As preparations for the 2025 Hajj gain momentum, no fewer than 1,700 intending pilgrims in Sokoto State have made their initial deposits, according to the state’s Pilgrims Welfare Agency. The agency’s acting secretary, Alhaji Ladan Ibrahim, disclosed this on Monday during a media briefing in his office, highlighting the progress made and the challenges still ahead. Ladan expressed confidence that more prospective pilgrims would complete their payments before the final deadline and that NAHCON has allocated 5,216 seats to the state. “We have already secured accommodation for our pilgrims in both Mecca and Medina, finalised negotiations with catering services in…

The leadership of the Obidient Movement has denied a recent media publication suggesting that the group has joined the Action Democratic Party (ADC). In a press statement released over the weekend, the group clarified that it has not joined or associated itself with any political party or coalition as of today. “From the video in circulation, we only saw members of the Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEM) in a meeting with the National Leadership of ADC,” the statement said. The Obidient Movement further clarified that COPDEM is an organisation which also serves as one of the support groups.…