Author: Drum Africa Correspondent
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has issued a stern warning to commissioners and special advisers, threatening to sack any cabinet member found to be exhibiting indolence and insubordination during official functions. Eno declared that any erring cabinet member, regardless of gender, would be immediately relieved of their position. This is contained in an interview video posted by African Independent Television on Saturday. The governor’s warning comes in response to reports that some cabinet members have been demonstrating a nonchalant attitude towards their official duties, citing insufficient funding for their offices and adopting the local slogan, “Mkpo Ibaha,” meaning…
President Bola Tinubu, on Friday inducted two new Agusta helicopters into the Nigerian Air Force with a call on the military to redouble efforts at ending the multifaceted security challenges bedeviling the country. The president who gave the charge at the induction ceremony of two newly acquired Agusta 109 Trekker helicopters, held as part of events marking the 61st anniversary of the Nigerian Air Force, said the stability of Nigeria’s democracy, regional peace, and economic growth is closely tied to national security. Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, at the ceremony, Tinubu, said “A democratically stable Nigeria is fundamental to…
The Finnish government has preferred “terrorism” charges against Simon Ekpa, the controversial Biafra agitator. Ekpa was charged with “public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent” and “participation in a terrorist group”. According to Yle, Finnish media outlet, the charges were filed on Friday morning at the Päijät-Häme district court. Jukka Rappe, Finnish deputy prosecutor-general, told the platform that the charges are related to Ekpa’s activities pertaining to the establishment of Biafra as an independent state. Rappe said the prosecutor will assess whether what happened online meets the criteria of a crime. The deputy prosecutor-general said the court will…
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund has announced the expansion of its loan programme to some vocational skills centres across the country. The Executive Director of Operations at NELFUND, Iyal Mustapha, stated this during a sensitisation campaign in Enugu on Friday. The sensitisation tour included visits by the NELFUND management to the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu College of Education, Technical, a technical school, and the MSME Clinics Fashion and Garment Hub in Enugu. Speaking, Mustapha said NELFUND aims to support vocational training through loans, helping individuals access technical education at various skill centres, including fashion design and other trades.…
Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, Prof. Adenije Oladiji, has commended the transparent manner Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Ishaq Oloyede, handled the glitches observed in the administration of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination. Prof. Oladiji said the bravery displayed by Prof. Oloyede in taking responsibility for what she termed inadvertent glitches was the hallmark of good leadership, a sense of responsibility, responsiveness and an affirmation of his total commitment to transparency, good governance and repositioning the organisation for better service delivery. Oladiji, who spoke in a statement issued in Akure,…
The Apex Igbo Social-cultural Organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has declared that May 30th, previously commemorated as Biafra Remembrance Day, shall henceforth be observed as “Igbo Heroes Day”. According to the Igbo social-cultural organisation, the renaming embodies Igbo’s commitment to honouring the indelible legacy of those brave men and women who laid down their lives during the Biafran conflict for the sake of their people’s dignity and future. Ohanaeze Ndigbo made this known in a statement signed by its Deputy President Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro, on Thursday, while advocating that the celebrations for Igbo Heroes Day be voluntary in nature. Isiguzoro also urge…
Residents of Ogun State have dismissed claims of “deadly rice” circulating in communities within the state, describing the rumours as mere “business gimmick.” Recently, voice messages were circulated by concerned parents and relatives, warning their loved ones against buying or consuming rice. According to the messages, a foreign trader allegedly invoked the spirit of the ‘Ogun’ deity after two trucks of her rice were stolen and smuggled into Nigeria. The voice notes claimed that the two trucks of rice were stolen from a neighboring country and smuggled into Nigeria through the Idiroko and Seme borders. Allegedly, the owner of the…
Lagos State Government has restricted construction activities across the state to between 7.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m., Mondays to Saturdays. The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, announced the new directive in a statement on Thursday by the agency’s Director, Public Affairs, Mr Mukaila Sanusi. Olumide said the measure became necessary to safeguard the environment, curb incidences of building collapse, and enhance the overall well-being of residents. “This restriction must be strictly adhered to by all stakeholders in the construction sector. “It is in the public interest and will be enforced by relevant government agencies.” He…
Three opposition members of the House of Representatives on Thursday officially announced their defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) during plenary. The lawmakers include Oluwole Oke from Osun State, who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Kabiru Hassan Rumrum and Sani Abdullahi, both from Kano State, who defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the APC. Rumrum had earlier declared his resignation from the NNPP and his return to the APC during a meeting with the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Similarly, Oke had earlier announced his departure from the PDP in Osun…
Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has slammed the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board for the technical glitch that affected the 2025 UTME results. Recall that JAMB Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede, broke down in tears during a press conference on Wednesday while apologising for errors in UTME results, and later announced that affected students would rewrite the exams. Ezekwesili, in a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, wondered why JAMB did not address the earlier complaints with humility and prompt investigation. “Why could the authorities not have immediately acted with humility and done an unbiased and swift system check…