Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

Bose Ogulu, the mother of Nigerian music sensation, Damini Ogulu, popularly called Burna Boy, has been nominated for Manager of the Year at the 2025 Music Week Awards. Organisers of the award on Wednesday announced Bose Ogulu alongside other contenders in the global music industry, including Alistair Goldsmith, Neil Hughes, and Wes Banton. This year’s Music Week Awards is scheduled to be held on May 8 at JW Marriott Grosvenor House in London, United Kingdom. The Music Week Awards celebrates excellence in the music industry, including labels, A&R, live events, and management. Winners for the annual award are selected through…

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery, on Wednesday, announced a reduction in the ex-depot (gantry) price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, commonly referred to as petrol, by N65.00. This means the price will drop from N890 to N825 per litre, effective Thursday, February 27, 2025, a statement by the refinery stated. According to Dangote, this adjustment is designed to provide essential relief to Nigerians ahead of the Ramadan season. The statement read, “Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a reduction in the ex-depot (gantry) price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly referred to as petrol, by N65.00, from N890 to N825 per litre,…

The Joint Administration and Matriculation Board (JAMB) says there will be no extension of the ongoing registration for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). The spokesperson of JAMB, Dr Fabian Benjamin in a statement noted that the Registration for the exam which began on February 3rd 2025 will end on 8 March 2025, urging all interested participants to register to avoid last minute rush promptly. “The registration period for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), which began on February 3, will conclude on March 8, 2025. This deadline has been clearly communicated in all advertisements and the official…

The South East Caucus in the House of Representatives has urged the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to consider reopening the Onitsha Bridgehead Market in Anambra State. The leader of the caucus, Mr. Igariwey Iduma made the call at a news conference, in Abuja. He said that the caucus unequivocally condemn the nefarious activities of unscrupulous traders in the market. The leader also said that the caucus frowns at the activities of the so-called businessmen and women, who peddle and engage in the business of production and distribution of fake and adulterated medications and drugs…

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a lawsuit against the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for alleged defamation. Recall that Akpoti-Uduaghan raised concerns after her Senate seat was reassigned following a reshuffle triggered by opposition members switching to the majority wing. She resisted the relocation, leading to a confrontation between her and the Senate President. However, in a suit filed before the Federal Capital Territory High Court on 25 February 2025, the President of the Senate, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Senior Legislative Aide to the Senate President, Mfon Patrick, were listed as the second and third…

Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has been appointed as the Chairman of the Committee on Monetary and Financial Affairs of the Pan African Parliament (PAP). The PAP is the legislative arm of the African Union (AU) with 55 members States which represent all the countries on the African continent. Kalu takes over from Hon. Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak from Ghana, who has been nominated as a minister in the new government of Ghana. The Deputy Speaker’s appointment was announced by the Acting Chair of the Committee, Hon. Senator Tony Sibandze from Eswatini who has…

Former Abia State Governor, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, has called on President Bola Tinubu to officially recognize the late Chief MKO Abiola as one of Nigeria’s past presidents. The Senator representing Abia North, urged that Abiola’s portrait be placed alongside those of other former leaders in the Presidential Villa. Speaking to Senate correspondents before the commencement of plenary on Tuesday, Senator Kalu responded to recent revelations made by former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd.) admitting in his recently released memoir, that Abiola won the June 12, 1993, presidential election. In his words, “Yes, Abiola won the election. And I…

A Magistrate Court sitting in the Sabo area of Yaba, Lagos State, on Tuesday, cleared singer Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, and three others of any involvement in the controversial death of fellow singer Aloba Oladimeji Ileri-Oluwa,, also known as Mohbad. Magistrate Ejiro Kubenje, who gave the verdict based on the legal advice issued by the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), also absolved and acquitted music promoter Samson Balogun Eletu, known as Sam Larry, as well as Owodunni Ibrahim, known as Primeboy, and Mohbad’s former manager, Opere Babatunde The court held in a ruling that based…

The United States has released its list of eligible countries for the 2025 Visa Waiver Programme (VWP), notably excluding all African nations and the United Kingdom. While the UK remains eligible under specific conditions, countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa are not included in the visa-free travel initiative. The 2025 VWP welcomes Romania as a new participant but otherwise largely maintains the existing list of eligible countries. The US has emphasised enhanced security checks and prioritised nations demonstrating strong diplomatic ties and robust border security standards in its selection process. The Visa Waiver Programme allows citizens of participating countries…

An All Progressives Congress chieftain, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has called on the Federal Government to release monthly allocations to the court-reinstated APC-elected local government chairmen in Osun State. Oyintiloye made this appeal in a statement issued on Tuesday after addressing newsmen in Osogbo, the state capital. While making the appeal, he insisted that the state government would, at the appropriate time, be held accountable for the funds spent on the recently conducted local government election, noting that it is a waste of taxpayers’ money. “I want to appeal to the Federal Government to start releasing the monthly allocation to the APC-reinstated…