Author: Drum Africa News

An awesome celebration in Belgium when Benjamin Kalu Esq was endorsed by partners and colleagues of 8 years. The team who released him to go and represent Bende Federal Constituency in the coming general elections pledged to support his candidacy and after wining to harness resources and contacts to help Bende in their effort to enhance their development. In the words of Christian Bouvier (Partner), We have known this gentle man for 8 years. Our work and business relationship has been a productive one. He brings value to the Board room we call him “Professor “ because of his problem…

President Muhammadu Buhari has rejected the sum of N488.7 billion approved by the National Assembly as refund to state governments for projects executed on behalf of the Federal Government. Buhari communicated the decision through a letter read by the President of the Senate, Senator Bukola Saraki, at plenary on Tuesday 18th December 2018. The President said he rejected the National Assembly’s approval because it violated the provisions of the Public Procurement Act 2007. He noted that whereas the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a total of N487.8 billion for the purpose, the National Assembly jerked up the figure to N488.7…

Justice Onuoha Ogwe has been sworn in as the new Chief Judge of the state. At the swearing in ceremony held on Tuesday, December 18, at the Government House, Umuahia, Gov. Ikpeazu announced his confidence in the new Chief Judge’s ability to make a difference in the judicial system of the state. He boasted that his administration had a robust working relationship with the judiciary, which he said had played a significant role in boosting socioeconomic development in Abia. According to Gov. Ikpeazu, the state government has created a conducive working environment for judiciary workers to boost productivity. Gov. Ikpeazu…

Diamond bank has confirmed its merger with Access Bank Plc, stating that the development is in the best interest of all stakeholders including, employees, customers, depositors and shareholders.  According to a statement released by Diamond Bank,” The Board of Diamond Bank Plc (“Diamond Bank”) on Monday announces that following a strategic review leading to a competitive process, the Board has selected Access Bank Plc (“Access Bank”) as the preferred bidder with respect to a potential merger of the two banks (“the merger”) that will create Nigeria and Africa’s largest retail bank by customers.” A statement by Uzoma Uja, the bank’s…

The Presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar in company of his Vice-Presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, will today hold a townhall meeting with the Aba business community. The Abia State coordinator of the Atiku/Obi Presidential Campaign Organisation, Chief Charles Obioha Ogbonnaya  in a statement, called on all the Atiku/Obi support groups, political action groups, civil society organisations and the general public to an interactive session with the candidates. Mr Peter Obi and PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku He also commended senators from the South East for working hard to realise the South East Development Commission, SEDC, which bill was passed…

A former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode has reacted to death of Former Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Sabundu Badeh. Africa Drum News had reported earlier that Badeh, who rose to the rank of Air Chief Marshal in the Nigerian military, died from gunshot wounds he sustained after his vehicle was attacked while returning from his farm along Abuja-Keffi Road on Tuesday. Reacting to the incident, Fani-Kayode, writing on his official Twitter Page, described the death as a ‘despicable and cowardly act’. He tweeted, “The brutal murder of the former Chief of Defence Staff and former Chief of Air Staff, Air…

The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris has said that the Nigerian police is prepared to replicate the feat it recorded at the Ekiti and Osun States Governorship elections in the forthcoming 2019 general elections. The IGP made this known yesterday at a two-day train the trainers’ workshop for senior police officers on election security management for the 2019 general elections in Abuja. Represented by the Commissioner of the Police Training College, Maiduguri, Reuben Akpan, the IGP said: ‘‘this workshop is coming at the right time, it came at the right time’’. “With the inputs from the Commissioners of…

Ahead of the 2019 general elections, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to train over 800,000 ad hoc staff across the country within two months. The chairman, Board of the Electoral Institute (BEI) Prince Solomon Adedeji Soyebi stated this while alerting the electoral officers that they are in danger zone in the conduct of the 2019 general elections. According to Soyebi, there was no time for the electoral officers to waste adding that the commission will train 800,000 ad hoc staff that will participate in the 2019 general elections. Speaking at the Pre-election Training Readiness Assessment Workshop held…

Ahead of the Yuletide, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched total war on online fraudsters otherwise known as ‘Yahoo Boys’. The operation codenamed ‘Cyber Storm’ will involve EFCC operatives monitoring suspicious transactions especially by youths who cannot explain their source of wealth. The commission will also deploy its agents in nightclubs and concerts where youths usually go to “pop” expensive champagne. The anti-graft agency will also be monitoring social media accounts of suspected fraudsters who usually show off their expensive cars and houses. As part of the operation, the EFCC has already arrested over 50 suspected online…

President Muhammadu Buhari has declined assent to National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, Amendment Bill 2018. This is just a day after the President has rejected the sum of N488.7 billion approved by the National Assembly as refund to state governments for projects executed on behalf of the Federal Government. The Preside wrote the Senate on Tuesday to decline assent to the bill passed by the National Assembly and forwarded to him. Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, read the letter yesterday at plenary. According to Buhari, he declined assent to the bill because he would require a more appropriate approach for amendment.…