Author: Drum Africa Correspondent
Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic tanker explosion that occurred in Karu, Abuja, on Wednesday night, claiming multiple lives and leaving many others injured. Speaking in Abuja on Friday, Shettima extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, assuring them of the Federal Government’s support during this difficult time. In a statement issued on Friday by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice President, Stanley Nkwocha, Shettima said, “My deepest condolences go out to the families who have lost their loved ones in this tragedy. “No words can…
A total of 120 bags of counterfeit rice have been seized by officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in three markets in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. In a statement issued on Thursday, March 20, NAFDAC said its officials raided more than 10 shops in three markets – Woji, Mile 3, and Mile 1 markets – across the city of Port Harcourt. The raid which was conducted in collaboration with the producers of Big Bull Rice, led to the uncovering of large-scale sales of counterfeit rice and rebagging rice in these markets. According to…
The Director General of National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu has said that all Corps members would be credited with their new monthly allowance of N77,000, with effect from March 2025. He said the Scheme and Federal Government are responsive to the welfare of NYSC members and would continue to ensure that their well-being is accorded maximum priority at all times. The Director General disclosed this on Thursday while interacting with Corps members at Wuse and Garki NYSC Zonal Offices of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja. Nafiu, who thanked the Corps members for their selfless…
The Senate has approved President Tinubu’s imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State after a closed-door session with lawmakers on Thursday. The Nigerian Senate has approved the proclamation of a state of emergency in Rivers State, invoking its constitutional powers to address the escalating political crisis. During a closed-door session on Thursday, the lawmakers invoked Section 305(2) of the 1999 Constitution, which grants the President authority to impose emergency rule in cases of severe governance breakdown. The Senate also mandated President Bola Tinubu to review the state of emergency periodically and consider its termination within six months. In addition to…
The newly appointed Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibot-Ete Ibas, has officially resumed duty. The former Naval Chief arrived at the Government House, Port Harcourt, at noon on Thursday, following a formal reception at the airport led by the Rivers State Head of Service George Nwaeke. He was accompanied by security heads, including the General Officer Commanding, the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, the Commander of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, and the Commander of 115 Special Operations Group, Nigerian Air Force. Others were the Commissioner of Police, the Director of the Department of State Services…
The National Judicial Council, NJC, has debunked the report that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, ordered the immediate release and repatriation of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, back to Kenya. The council, in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday, described the report as the figment of imagination of the writer, stressing that the CJN has nothing to do with Kanu’s case. “The Council wishes to state that the media report is false and figment of imagination of the writer, as there are no Court proceedings, decision or…
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has called on members of the party in the National Assembly to uphold justice and resist any actions that threaten Nigeria’s democratic integrity. In a statement addressed to Labour Party lawmakers on Thursday via X, Obi expressed concern over what he described as a “deteriorating democratic process” in Nigeria. He noted that for the past 26 years, the country has witnessed “disregard for educational qualifications for electoral positions, massive rigging, and now the unconstitutional removal of elected officeholders.” Obi emphasised that these unconstitutional acts have “far-reaching negative implications for our…
The House of Representatives has approved the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, along with the six-month suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and all elected members of the assembly, as announced by President Bola Tinubu. The seal of approval for the president’s proclamation came via voice vote during plenary on Thursday. The Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, who presided over the plenary, called on members to make their contribution during the consideration of the general principles of the President’s report. In his contribution, Benue lawmaker and Deputy Spokesman of the House, Philip Agbese recommended the setting up…
The Rivers State Government has denied reports that a High Court issued an order preventing the newly appointed Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), from resuming. The Chief of Staff to the suspended governor, Siminalayi Fubara, Dr Edison Ehie, dismissed the claims as false and malicious, attributing them to individuals attempting to escalate political tensions in the state. In a statement issued on Thursday, Ehie refuted allegations that he filed a suit challenging the appointment, describing the report as the work of “low minds” who could not even spell his name correctly. He urged the public to disregard the…
The former presidential spokesperson to ex-Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, Doyin Okupe, will be buried in his hometown, Iperu-Remo, Ogun State, on March 28, 2025. According to the notice, burial rites will begin on Saturday, March 22, with a commendation service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David, Abuja. On Thursday, March 27, a Service of Songs and a Day of Tributes will be held at Trinity House, by Water Corporation Drive, off Ligali Ayorinde Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, at 11am. This will be followed by a wake at Agbonmagbe Castle, Sagamu-Iperu Road, Ogun State, at…