Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

The Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has approved the employment of 1,010 secondary school teachers in the state. According to a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, on Monday, the governor’s approval came after the completion of the recruitment process by the state Teaching Service Commission which screened thousands of applicants last year. Adeniyan said the successful candidates are to begin their documentation immediately. The statement read, “The governor had given approval for the recruitment of 1010 secondary school and 1000 primary school teachers last year, which signalled the start of the recruitment exercise by TESCOM and…

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has approved a two-year tax waiver for traders affected by the September 2024 flood disaster and the Maiduguri Monday market fire incident. The Chairman of the Borno State Internal Revenue Service (BO-IRS), Prof. Ibrahim Bello, who disclosed this while addressing journalists in Maiduguri on Sunday, said the move aimed at facilitating economic recovery and easing financial burdens on businesses. He explained that the waiver is part of the state government’s ongoing tax administration reforms, designed to enhance the ease of doing business and encourage economic growth. The September 2024 flood disaster significantly disrupted economic activities…

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, at the weekend maintained that only contractors who can deliver quickly are needed to work on Nigerian roads, stressing that henceforth, contractors must get to site two weeks before they are paid mobilisation fees. Speaking while inspecting ongoing works on the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway, Section I (Abuja-Kaduna) from Zuba Interchange to Western Bypass in Kaduna, the minister said that this would guarantee that road projects are not abandoned by those he described as ‘recalcitrant’ contractors. However, he lauded Messrs Infiouest International (Nig) Limited, which he said has proven its capacity to deliver quality jobs…

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has ordered the Heads of Local Government Administration to immediately take over the administration of the 23 local government areas pending the conduct of fresh elections by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission. The governor also directed the outgoing local government chairmen to formally hand over to the Heads of Local Government Administration by Monday, March 3, 2025. Fubara gave the directive in a statewide broadcast in Government House, Port Harcourt, on Sunday evening, in response to the Supreme Court judgment. This is the first time the governor will be speaking since last Friday’s Supreme…

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, on Sunday, paid a condolence visit to the home of late Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, who died a few weeks ago.  He described the late Adebanjo as a man of courage who stood unwaveringly for truth and justice. During a visit to the late elder statesman’s residence in Lekki, Lagos, Jonathan emphasized that no nation could thrive without upholding these values. He said, “When we learned about the death of our leader I issued a statement. Some of you must have read that statement, but I said that statement in newspapers was not enough, we…

The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has called on Muslim faithful to embody the spirit of the fasting season to show brotherly love and devotion to God. The former governor of Anambra made the call on Saturday in his 2025 Ramadan message to felicitate with the faithful on his X handle. According to him, as the holy month of Ramadan begins, following the official sighting of the moon and the pronouncement by the Sultan, I would like to urge our Muslim brethren to embody the spirit of the season. “Let’s continue to show brotherly love,…

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has blacklisted an Indian firm, Aveo Pharmaceuticals Pvt Limited, over alleged production and importation of dangerous opioid combinations into West Africa, including Nigeria. In a statement signed by its Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, on Friday, NAFDAC accused the Indian company of producing and distributing Tafrodol and Royal 225—drugs containing a harmful mix of Tapentadol, an opioid, and Carisoprodol, a banned muscle relaxant. NAFDAC stated that the substances pose severe health risks, including respiratory failure, seizures, overdose, and death. “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has…

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has congratulated Senator Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe on his 70th birthday, commending his dedication to public service. Kalu also commended Senator Abaribe’s tireless commitment to the people of Abia South Senatorial District he represents at the Senate, acknowledging his remarkable legacy as a voice for equity and justice in Nigeria, particularly in the South East geopolitical zone. He said that Senator Abaribe’s modest contributions to Nigeria’s development, his candour and commitment to social justice also attest to an enduring legacy of political courage. “Today, we celebrate a man…

The Supreme Court of Nigeria, on Friday, ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant General of the Federation to stop further release of financial allocations to Rivers state government with immediate effect. The Apex Court directed that the order shall be in force until the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, “stops all his illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional activities.” The Supreme Court said that no money should be released to the Rivers state government until a lawful Appropriation Law is enacted under the Martin Amaewhule leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly. In a unanimous judgment delivered…

The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uguaghan, has accused the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of sexual harassment. Akpabio has since denied the allegation through his media consultant, Kenny Okulogbo. Akpoti-Uduaghan made the allegation during an interview with Arise Television on Friday. She alleged that Akpabio blocked her motions from being heard on the floor of the Senate because she rejected his advances. The Kogi lawmaker added that by rejecting Apkabio’s sexual advances, she was subjected to persistent harassment in his home in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, and his office. She said, “My issue with Akpabio started on the…