Author: Drum Africa Correspondent
The Federal Government has kicked off the 2025 promotion examinations for personnel in paramilitary agencies under the Ministry of Interior, pledging a transparent and merit-driven process. The Civil Defence, Correctional, Immigration, and Fire Services Board is overseeing the exercise, which aims to eliminate favouritism and ensure that only qualified officers ascend the ranks. Speaking at the launch of the exercise on Wednesday, the Minister of Interior and Chairman of the CDCFIB, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, assured officers that promotions would be strictly based on competence. He disclosed that the ministry had partnered with the Nigerian Army Resource Centre to enhance professionalism and…
Another five farmers have reportedly been murdered by armed herdsmen at Aba Oyinbo, Akure North council area of Ondo state. Consequently, farmers in the council area staged a protest at the governor’s office in Akure, the state capital, displaying bodies of the casualties. Activities at the governor’s office were grounded for hours following the protest. Recall that the protest to the governor’s office was the second in the last few weeks following the surge in kidnappings in the state. Twenty farmers were killed by suspected herdsmen in the same council area last week after they invaded and sacked four communities.…
The Nigerian Bar Association has faulted the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu, describing the move as “unconstitutional” and a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democracy. In a statement issued on Tuesday, and signed by its President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, the association insisted that the President has no constitutional power to remove an elected governor, deputy governor, or state lawmakers under emergency rule. “The 1999 Constitution does not grant the President the power to remove an elected governor, deputy governor, or members of a state’s legislature under the guise of a state of emergency,”…
A bill seeking to amend the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, and requiring social media platforms to establish physical offices within the country has passed second reading. The bill was sponsored by Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North). Leading the debate, Senator Nwoko noted that Nigeria as Africa’s most populous nation with over 220 million people had a significant digital presence, ranking first in Africa and second globally in terms of social media usage, spending an average of three hours and 46 minutes daily online, according to a Global Web Index report cited by Business Insider Africa. The lawmaker noted that…
A shift in leadership is imminent in the Edo State House of Assembly as the All Progressives Congress has formally informed the Assembly of its new majority status. On Tuesday, Speaker Blessing Agbebaku confirmed the receipt of a letter from the APC, notifying the Assembly of the party’s increased membership following the defection of four lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party. Although the letter was not made public, it marked a significant political shift in the House. The PDP lawmakers who joined the APC are Donald Okugbe (Akoko Edo Constituency II), Bright Iyamu (Orhionmwon South Constituency II), Richard Edosa (Oredo…
Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has urged the people of the state to remain calm in the face of the political impasse in the state. In a statement he personally signed, Fubara said since assuming office, all his actions and decisions have been guided by his constitutional oath of office and a great sense of duty. “I address you today with a deep sense of responsibility and calm, as we navigate this unfortunate moment in our state’s political history. Since assuming office as your governor, we have prioritised the protection of lives and property and ensured the continuous progress…
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, is set to deliver the Convocation Lecture at the University of Calabar’s 50th anniversary celebration in Cross River State on Thursday, March 20, 2025. The Deputy Speaker who is an alumnus of the institution will be speaking on the topic: Our Gown in Town and In Cyberspace: Sustainable and Human-Centered Education. The Mandate of Our Universities 2025 – 2075. The Bende Federal Lawmaker is well appreciated by the Faculty of Law who recently awarded him “The Most Distinguished Alumnus” of the Faculty and the University itself which…
Airstrike by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft have destroyed one of Boko Haram’s hideouts within the treacherous Mandara Mountain in Borno State. The strike was conducted against the terrorists were in Chikide and Degbewa on March 16. Deputy Director of Public Relations and Information, Group Captain, Kabiru Ali, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, March 18. According to Ali, the strikes delivered a “crippling blow to the terrorists’ stronghold and disrupted their activities.” He said: “Acting on credible Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) data, reports indicated that the notorious terrorist leader, Ali Ngulde, and his fighters had planned…
An explosion has rocked a section of the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo Community in Gonna Local Government Area of Rivers State. The explosion occurred late on Monday night near the Bodo-Bonny Road under construction. Thick black smoke was seen billowing into the atmosphere, with a raging fire spreading fast into the mangrove from a video that emerged on Tuesday morning. The TNP is a federal transport line that supplies oil to the Bonny Export Terminal in Rivers State. It is not yet clear whether the incident resulted from human interference, especially amid recent threats by militant groups to attack…
The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday listed Nigeria among the eight countries likely to run out of supply of HIV treatments soon. This is as the Trump administration’s decision to pause U.S. foreign aid has “substantially disrupted” supply of HIV treatments in the countries. The global health agency said that Nigeria, Haiti, Kenya, Lesotho, South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Ukraine could exhaust their supply of HIV treatments in the coming months, according to a report by Reuters quoting WHO’s Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus. “The disruptions to HIV programs could undo 20 years of progress,” WHO Director-General Ghebreyesus was quoted…