Author: Drum Africa Correspondent
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is on a mission to ensure the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. He emphasized that President Tinubu’s inclusive approach to governance, evident in his strategic appointments, has earned him the support of the South East region. Levinus Nwabughiogu, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, in a statement on Sunday, May 4, 2025, said that Kalu gave the indication while addressing party stakeholders in Umuahia, Abia State capital and underscored the need for unity and collective effort…
President Bola Tinubu is poised to meet the country’s power-generating companies to address the N4 trillion debt affecting Nigeria’s electricity supply chain. The meeting comes after a high-level meeting on Tuesday between the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and the chairmen of GenCos in Abuja over concerns of a potential collapse of the national grid due to liquidity constraints in the sector. Speaking on the development, Adelabu’s Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations, Bolaji Tunji, disclosed that the federal government has decided to settle a substantial portion of the debt immediately. Tunji added that the remainder would be…
Oby Ezekwesili, former minister of education, has denied collecting bribe to back Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Kogi central senator. Ezekwesili has been outspoken in the demand for an investigation into the sexual harassment allegations made by Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. She has also called for Akpabio to step aside for an impartial probe and for the senator’s petition to be handled. Last Thursday, Sandra Duru, a UK-based activist, better known as Professor Mgbeke, alleged that Akpoti-Uduaghan fabricated the sexual harassment allegation against Akpabio. Duru also claimed that the senator told her the former minister was paid to back the…
Ovation magazine publisher Dele Momodu has expressed doubt about President Bola Tinubu’s knowledge of his administration’s performance amid the gale of defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Momodu, who spoke on Soni Irabor Live, a programme on News Central, on Saturday, hinted that Tinubu may have a false perception of things and may not fully grasp the extent of Nigeria’s current predicament. He added that Tinubu should not be blamed if he feels he is the greatest thing to ever happen to the country, given the number of defectors being welcomed to the APC. “If you are joining a…
The Academic Staff Union of Universities has announced the disbursement of the 2024 scholarship to 164 indigent students selected from branches of the union across the country. This was disclosed by the Convener of ASUU Grant, Research and Publications Committee, Professor Christopher Piwuna on Saturday during a press conference at the Sa’adu Zungur University, Yuli Campus, Bauchi State. Piwuna explained that of the 79 ASUU branches, two successful applicants were selected in every university through a rigorous screening process. He said each recipient of the scholarship went home with a non-refundable cash-backing of N200,000. The Convener, who was represented by…
Nigerian carrier, Air Peace, has responded to a reported statement by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) urging the airline to improve its domestic flight operations amid claims of chronic delays and cancellations. In a press release issued by the airline’s management, Air Peace expressed appreciation for the NCAA’s role in maintaining aviation safety and regulatory oversight, but emphasised the need to correct perceived misrepresentations regarding its operational capacity and safety practices. “While we hold the NCAA in the highest regard… we believe it is essential to set the record straight,” the statement read. The airline reiterated that safety remains…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is investigating former executives of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), along with recently dismissed managing directors of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries, over the alleged misappropriation of approximately $2.96 billion earmarked for the rehabilitation of the facilities. A senior EFCC official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed that the probe involves several high-ranking individuals. The investigation focuses on funds allocated for the short-term maintenance of the refineries, which have been plagued by long-standing operational challenges. Preliminary findings indicate that the EFCC is scrutinising specific disbursements: $1.56 billion…
A witness of the federal government testifying in the ongoing trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), says Simon Ekpa would soon be extradited from Finland to Nigeria to face trial for supporting the defendant. The witness, simply identified as “AAA” and a staff of the Department of States Services (DSS), was part of the team that arrested Kanu on October 15, 2015, at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Lagos. Under cross-examination by the defendant’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi, the witness said that although he is not aware of other supporters facing trial for agitating for…
The National Chairman of the Labour Party, Julius Abure, on Friday, hit back at the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti, stating that his leadership was instrumental in elevating Otti to the position he now enjoys. Abure made the remarks during an emergency meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee at the Labour Party secretariat in Abuja. His comments were in response to Otti’s appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show earlier today, where the governor claimed they had taken back control of the party from Abure, who he accused of “masturbating” over claims that he was still in charge. Otti…
The Federal Government of Nigeria on Friday said it has officially commenced the implementation of the Dual Mandate Policy across all Federal Colleges of Education, following the enactment of the Federal Colleges of Education Act, 2023. According to a statement by the Director of Press, Federal Ministry of Education, Folasade Boriowo, this legislation, signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, empowers FCOEs to concurrently award the Nigeria Certificate in Education and Bachelor’s Degrees in Education — marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s teacher education reform. Announcing the policy rollout in Abuja, the Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa described the…