Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

Governor Monday Okpebholo has raised the minimum wage for workers in Edo State from ₦70,000 to ₦75,000 in a bid to improve their living standard. The governor announced this on Thursday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City during the celebration of this year’s Workers’ Day. “Today, I am proud to announce that our administration has approved a new minimum wage of N75,000 per month for Edo workers. “It’s our way of saying thank you, Edo workers. We believe this will make a real difference, and in return, we count on your renewed dedication as we build a better…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission says it has traced funds linked to the failed crypto bridge exchange scheme to at least four countries. Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, on Wednesday, Ola Olukoyede, EFCC chairman, said although efforts are underway to recover the stolen funds, full restitution to victims may be impossible. Olukoyede said several accounts have been blocked and funds frozen, although the amounts cannot be disclosed yet. He said most of the transactions were conducted in cryptocurrency and routed through wallets beyond Nigeria’s jurisdiction. “We have been able to block some accounts. We have been…

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, has responded to recent public comments made by legal luminary Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) regarding her sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Agbakoba, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), had in a letter dated April 14, 2025, demanded that Senator Natasha retract her allegations and provide evidence that Akpabio sexually harassed her on December 8, 2023. In her response dated April 30, Natasha stated that she had not received any letter from Agbakoba through post, courier, or personal delivery, and therefore rejected any suggestion of deliberate silence. “I place it…

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said that workers play a key role in helping the country grow and succeed. In a statement to mark the 2025 Workers’ Day on Thursday, he called on the Federal Government to see workers not just as tools for economic growth but as important partners in building a great nation. Atiku said, “The Nigerian worker remains the indomitable engine driving our nation towards the long-anticipated promise of prosperity. “In the face of persistent hardship and inadequate remuneration, Nigerian workers have continued to shoulder the burdens of our economic ambitions with quiet heroism. “It is…

Abia State Governor Dr Alex Otti has approved a new salary scale for Abia Health Care workers, Abia State Health Workers Salary Scale (ASHWOSS) with effect from May 1st 2025. In a statement by Prof Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche Commissioner for Health on Wednesday disclosed that, with the approval of ASWOSS will be at par with the Federal salary structure for Health workers namely CONMESS – (Consolidated Medical Salary Scale for Doctors) and CONHESS – Consolidated Health Salary Scale for Nurses, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Optometrists, Physiotherapists, medical laboratory scientists and radiographers. He also announced the approval of the Governor for the recruitment…

The operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday, arrived at the Federal High Court in Abuja with the businesswoman, Aisha Achimugu, as ordered by the court. Achimugu, who was sandwiched by two female EFCC officers, arrived in court at about 11:35 am. Justice Inyang Ekwo had, on Monday, ordered the industrialist, alleged to have fled the country, to honour the invitation by the anti-graft agency on Tuesday at noon. Justice Ekwo, who gave the order in a short ruling, also ordered the EFCC, upon the appearance of Achimugu at its office, to return with her to…

Bank customers will commence payment of N6 for every SMS transaction alert starting tomorrow. This is coming on the heels of the increase in telecommunications rates by telecommunications providers following a nod by the federal government. The SMS charges were increased by 50% to N6 from the previous N4 per message. Various banks had sent emails to their customers to inform them of the current change. An email from Guaranty Trust Bank Limited with the heading “Increase in SMS Transaction Alert Fee” read: “Dear Valued Customer, Please be informed that effective Thursday, May 1, 2025, the SMS transaction alert fee…

The 23rd Director General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier-General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, has called on corps members to use social media responsibly and contribute positively to national development. Speaking to the 2025 Batch ‘A’ (Stream I) corps members at the temporary orientation camp located at Government College, Kurmi Marshi, Kaduna during his work visit to the camp, Brig-Gen Nafiu restated the importance of digital responsibility. “Make good content, don’t insult anybody. Use social media to interact, entertain, and even work—but always responsibly,” he advised. The Director General commended the NYSC as a vital initiative of the Nigerian…

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar says he is not bothered by the defection of his running mate in the 2023 presidential election, Ifeanyi Okowa, to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, stating that he is not leaving the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Atiku, speaking through his media aide, Paul Ibe, said it is undemocratic to begrudge anyone for choosing where to belong politically. “Former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, bears no grudges; he has said that, and he means it. “As a democrat, he subscribes to the universality and constitutionality of the freedom of association, which is one of the pillars of…

The Nigeria Labour Congress has declared that the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, does not require any coalition with the Peoples Democratic Party or support from political figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to win the 2027 presidential election. Speaking in an exclusive interview, the Deputy President of the NLC Political Commission, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, asserted that Obi remains a formidable and widely accepted candidate, capable of defeating President Bola Tinubu in a free and fair contest. Ndubuaku dismissed any speculation about Obi rejoining the PDP, describing the opposition…