Author: Drum Africa Correspondent
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has withdrawn the arrest warrant against the manager of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, Ezekiel ThankGod. The development comes on Friday after a bench warrant against the music producer was issued by Justice Alexander Owoeye last week. The bench warrant was on the heels of an ex parte order filed by the EFCC. According to the latest reports, the commission through its lawyer Bilikisu Buhari requested that the warrant be withdrawn. Mercy Chinwo accused her manager of diverting $345,000 in royalties from her digital platforms and events. The artist claims that he received the…
The Lagos state government on Thursday issued a 48-hour ultimatum to traders operating under the Apongbon Bridge and on drainage setbacks in Lagos Island to vacate their stalls as part of its ongoing urban regeneration project. The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab made this announcement during an inspection tour of the Savage/Elegbata-Bombata Drainage Channel around the Olowogbowo/Apongbon axis. Wahab expressed concerns over the negative impact of human activities in the area, noting that they contribute significantly to flooding and pose serious threats to lives and properties. “These drainage setbacks have been converted into shops and stalls,…
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved the establishment of Ebonyi State University of ICT, Science and Technology, Oferekpe. Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof. Abdullahi Ribadu, while presenting a letter of recognition of the new university to Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State on Thursday, said the institution is now recognised as the 66th state university in Nigeria and the 278th in the Nigerian University System. He said a copy of the recognition letter would be forwarded to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and Nigerian Education…
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria has called on Ogoni youths to support the resumption of oil production in Ogoniland. The body made the call on Thursday in a statement by its National Public Relations Officer, Dr. Joseph Obele, following a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and Ogoni delegates in Abuja earlier in the week. To ensure that the concerns of all stakeholders are addressed, PETROAN suggested that the Ogoni delegates organise town hall meetings in all four local governments in Ogoniland. The association said, “These meetings will provide platforms for wider consultations and gather thoughts from…
The Katsina State Government has taken delivery of its first container of donated medical supplies from World Medical Relief in Detroit, United States of America. According to a statement issued on Thursday, the Chief Press Secretary to Katsina State Governor, Ibrahim Mohammed, said the delivery stems from Governor Dikko Radda’s visit to World Medical Relief headquarters in November 2023, where he met with the President of the organisation, Mr. George Samson and his team. “The Governor conveyed his passion to ensure the good people of Katsina have access to high-quality healthcare. He also informed President Samson of the healthcare needs…
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has tasked the United Kingdom Parliament to continue to support the advancement of democracy in Nigeria. Hon. Kalu made the call while interacting with Members of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association led by Hon. Kate Osamor who hosted him to a meeting at Westminster, the United Kingdom Parliament as part of his itinerary during his working trip to the United Kingdom to foster UK-Nigeria Parliamentary Strategic Dialogue. Kalu had earlier met with the Deputy Leader of the House of Lords and Minister for Africa, Lord Collins of Highbury at…
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has upgraded some medical-related programmes in Nigerian universities from Bachelor’s degree to doctoral status. This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by NUC’s Acting Director of Public Affairs, Franca Chukwuonwo. She said the decision was driven by the need to incorporate more clinical and practical sessions, improve foundational course coverage, enhance clinical skills, and address all specialty areas comprehensively. The commission stated that the upgrade aligns with global best practices for training professionals in these fields. The statement further noted that, as part of the changes, the duration of the affected programmes has been…
Chief Alex Ogbonnia, the immediate past National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has expressed joy over the release and return of Beatrice Ekweremadu to Nigeria. Ogbonnia praised Senator Ike Ekweremadu, describing him as a nation builder who contributed significantly to the development of Enugu West and Enugu State during his tenure as a senator. “I want to thank God for His grace upon Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his wife. It’s jubilation galore across Enugu State because they used their opportunities to touch lives, showcasing the quality they possess,” Ogbonnia stated. He continued: “The husband, in particular, represented the people…
Wife of a former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Beatrice has been released from the United Kingdom’s prison. Senator Ekweremadu, his wife, and Dr. Obinna Obeta were sentenced by a UK court over charges related to organ harvesting. A source who craved anonymity told Drum Africa that Mrs Ekweremadu, who was sentenced to five years in UK prison, returned to the country on Tuesday. She is said to be in Abuja currently. Our correspondent, however, gathered that there is jubilation currently going on in her family house in the Mpu community of Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State.
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, locked out hundreds of civil servants on Wednesday during an unscheduled visit to the state secretariat, where he found only a handful of workers present. As the governor’s convoy arrived around 10:35 am to inspect ongoing renovation works, including the installation of new lights, security personnel locked the gates, leaving hundreds of civil servants locked out. While touring various ministries, the governor expressed his dismay after discovering that some commissioners and senior officials were absent from work. On his way out of the secretariat, the governor addressed a crowd of workers gathered at the gate,…