Author: Drum Africa Correspondent
Abia State Environmental Protection Agency (ASEPA) has sealed the building at No 10 Powerline off Omuma Road, Aba, following a reported case of two men who died while manually evacuating an underground sewage tank. The victims, identified as Obicubana and Thomas Iku, both residents of the area, arrived at the site at about 8:30 a.m. to begin work. Eyewitnesses said the pit did not collapse, leaving residents baffled as to how both men ended up inside. Residents alleged that two other people died in the same pit years ago. Police have deposited the bodies at the morgue. The incident which…
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has flagged off a four-month skills development programme in Bende, for selected 150 trainees across Abia State. During the flag-off, Kalu described the programme as a deliberate effort to equip youths with lasting knowledge and globally recognised certificates. The programme is captioned “An Artisan Training on Building Projects” sponsored by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and facilitated by Family Homes Funds Limited (FHFL) with the support of the Office of the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives. DrumAfricanews reports that Bende Local Government Area however secured the highest number of…
Ms Mary, an indigene of Bende Federal Constituency, has thanked the Deputy Speaker and Member representing Bende in the National Assembly, Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu, for empowering her to the level that she is now independent. DrumAfricanews gathered that Mary, one among several indigenes of the area who were empowered with one million naira each by the Deputy Speaker to start a business, came back to him in his recent visit back home to showcase the fruits of the empowerment. From what was gathered from the young lady (Mary), she said she took the opportunity she was given and learned…
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has approved a ₦30,000 monthly stipend for every National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member deployed to the state as part of measures to improve their welfare during the mandatory national service programme. The governor disclosed the welfare package through the Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Chidiebere Onyia, during the official swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch ‘B’ Stream II corps members at the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp in Afikpo. Representing Governor Nwifuru at the ceremony, Onyia stated that the state government remained committed to the security, welfare, and personal development of corps members serving…
The kidnapping of billionaire businessman Sir Joseph Ezeokafor, father of socialist billionaire, Jowizaza, has thrown his hometown of Ekwulobia in Anambra State into mourning and uncertainty. In response, community leaders have taken the rare decision to postpone the town’s annual New Yam Festival — a move said to be unprecedented in the community’s history. Residents reportedly felt that celebrating while one of their prominent sons remains in captivity would be inappropriate. For many, the festival should wait until there is hope and relief over his safe return. DrumAfricanews reports that billionaire businessman and founder of Jezco Oil and Jezco Group,…
The management of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka (NAU) has informed the university community of the decision banning with immediate effect, within the university premises and campuses, all forms of orchestration, celebration, or “signing-off” activities by final year students in connection with final examinations. Information from NAU Public Relations Unit, said that the decision is predicated on recurring incidents of chaos, violence, vandalism, and disruption of academic and administrative activities associated with such events. According to the Internal Memo signed by the University Registrar, Dr, Chinenye Gloria Okeke, Management is also concerned about the infiltration of unauthorized persons into the…
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has taken a decisive leap in its global internationalization drive by cementing a major academic partnership with Canada’s University of Waterloo and securing a fully-funded international PhD scholarship for a staff member. DrumAfricanews reports that both achievements stem directly from recent strategic diplomatic engagements spearheaded by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya. As gathered, on Monday, August 3, Prof. Ortuanya hosted a four-member delegation from the University of Waterloo at the Vice-Chancellor’s Conference Room, culminating in the formal signing of a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement established a framework for joint research…
The government of Imo State has apologised for the inconvenience motorists and residents who may currently be experiencing some delays or temporary difficulty in vehicular movement as a result of the ongoing road maintenance works across the state. The government said it understands that roadworks can disrupt normal movement, particularly along busy corridors. However, the temporary inconvenience is part of the process of keeping these major roads in good condition and ensuring that the infrastructure continues to serve the people for many years. DrumAfricanews reports that the ongoing maintenance works at the Assumpta Fly-Over, Okigwe Road, Orlu Road and other…
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has congratulated the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, on the occasion of his 58th birthday. In a congratulatory message made available by Kalu’s Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, on Saturday, the Deputy Speaker described Professor Yilwatda as a distinguished academic. He added that Yilwatda is an exceptional leader whose commitment to service, strategic insight, and dedication to the growth of the APC have continued to inspire confidence in the future of the party. “Since assuming the leadership of our great party, Professor…
With the surge in Gender Based Violence, African Centre for Human Advancement and Resource Support (CHARS-Africa) with support from Urgent Action Fund–Africa (UAF-Africa) has organized a one-day sensitisation programme for police officers in Aba Area Command. The workshop with the title “Strengthening the operationalization of the Abia State Centre for the Rehabilitation of Survivors of Rape, Defilement, Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Law, 2026,” took place on the 6th August, 2026, at the Aba Area Command Headquarters, Nigeria Police Force, Abia State Command. The one-day workshop was organised for Police officers serving in the Juvenile, Women and Children (JWC), Human…