Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

In a historic move, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda has emerged as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, becoming the first female to take charge of the legislative body in the southwest state.  Meranda’s election followed the impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa during the House’s plenary session on Monday. Before her emergence, she was the deputy speaker of the House. Meranda represents Apapa Constituency I. The lawmaker took the oath of office on the floor of the House and reaffirmed her commitment to the Assembly. “I affirm that I will be faithful as the Speaker of the Lagos State House…

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has urged the new leadership of Ohaneze Ndigbo to work assiduously to strengthen unity and faith among the Igbo people, while also building bridges with other socio-cultural groups to maintain peace in the country. The Deputy Speaker in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu congratulated Senator John Azuta-Mbata on his unanimous election as the new President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. Azuta-Mbata, a former senator representing Rivers East Senatorial Zone, was elected by the General Assembly of the apex socio-cultural organization of Ndigbo in Enugu State…

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has said President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu is qualified and not too young to become the next Governor of Lagos State. It would be recalled that in November 2024, the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders (CONYL), endorsed Seyi to succeed Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the next governor of the state. The minister stated this in an interview with Seun Okinbaloye and described Seyi as his leader and mentor, saying the president’s son has the capacity to lead Lagos State. The minister argued that Seyi is not too young to be a governor,…

Former Abia State Commissioner for Finance, Obinna Oriaku, has revealed that Governor Alex Otti’s administration is yet to access the $115 million African Development Bank (AfDB) loan approved in June 2023 for a major road rehabilitation project in Abia State. The AfDB loan is part of a larger financing package totaling $263.8 million, which includes a $100 million AfDB loan, a $15 million Canada-African Development Bank Climate Fund loan, and a $125 million co-financing loan from the Islamic Development Bank. The project aims to improve roads, erosion control infrastructure, and solid waste management facilities in Umuahia and Aba. Oriaku in…

President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates for the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW). Tinubu’s trip to the Middle East is at the invitation of the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, announced Tinubu’s arrival in a post on his X page. He accompanied the post with a short video showing Tinubu’s arrival in the UAE. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu arrives in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where he is received by Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan,…

Three persons are feared dead in a suspected cholera outbreak in the Isiodum community of Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State. It was gathered that the incident was discovered when a team from a multinational oil company visited the community to inspect a water rehabilitation project in the area. A former Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, Dr Gogo-Ogute Isaiah, who said he was with the oil firm working on the water rehabilitation project in the area, confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday. Isaiah said two of the three victims were from the same compound in the…

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to recognizing and honoring the sacrifices of military veterans and active personnel. He acknowledged their crucial role in protecting the nation during the 2025 Armed Forces Remembered Day Church Service at Seventh Day Adventist Church Aguiyi Ironsi Layout Umuahia The Governor who paid tribute to veterans and serving members of the Armed Forces, acknowledged their sacrifice, bravery and dedication in service to the nation. He also recalled the tragic cases of Armed Forces personnel who were brutally murdered in the state while performing their duties, and vowed that the…

The All Progressive Congress, APC, has said that it will take over the leadership of Abia State in 2027, with a promise to provide more democracy dividends for the Abia people. The Chairman of APC in Abia, Kingsley Ononogbu stated this at Abiriba Stadium in Abiriba, Ohafia LGA of Abia State on Friday while receiving a former prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kelvin Jombo Onumah who defected to the APC his supporters. The Abia State APC Chairman said that his party will count on the achievements recorded by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu in the Senate, Deputy Speaker,…

The South East Senate Caucus congratulates Senator Azuta Mbata on his emergence as the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide. In a statement in Abuja on Saturday, the leader of the Caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe said Senator Mbata’s victory at the election during the Ohaneze General Assembly in Enugu, marks a milestone in the history of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation. The caucus he said have firm confidence in Senator Mbata’s pedigree and leadership qualities that are solid enough to steer Ohaneze to achieve the much desired unity and development in Igboland and command the ability to also reach out…

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has invited Wahab and Raheem Okoya, sons of billionaire businessman, Chief Razaq Okoya, for questioning over alleged naira abuse. Raheem and Wahab are expected to report to the commission’s Lagos office for questioning by 10 am on Monday, January 13, 2025. The brothers sparked widespread criticism after a video surfaced showing them flaunting and spraying bundles of N1,000 notes in a promotional clip for Raheem’s new song titled “Credit Alert.” In the video, the duo, dressed in white agbadas, danced while a mobile policeman held stacks of crisp naira notes, which they flung into…