News
Senate makes a caricature of Abuja-Kaduna train, revives probe panel headed by Adams Oshiomole
Displeased by the “sorry state” of the entire train facilities; AKPABIO took a swipe at the sluggish nature of the Chinese trains when he said “bicycle-even keke is faster than Abuja-Kaduna train.
The Senate on Thursday called for a thorough investigation into the entire contract and execution agreements of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano railway line, 10 years after it began full commercial operations.
Worried about the deplorable condition of both the railway line and the attendant poor service delivery by the Nigerian Railway Corporation, the Senate resuscitated its Ad-hoc Committee set up last November but was hampered by a lack of funds to commence the probe of the national asset.
One train ride from Abuja to Kaduna last week by Senator Abdul Ningi -who represents Bauchi Central was all it took to reveal -the deplorable state of Nigeria’s rail transport network-especially the tracks linking the Northern corridors.
Coming on Order 42-, NINGI laments how a journey that should have taken an hour at most took over three hours on a worn-out, second-hand train.
“A Nigerian tragedy”-that’s how the PDP Bauchi Senator refers to the situation as he recounts how the Abuja -Kaduna train service has diminished in quality -from transporting 10,000 passengers daily when it first started to running a single shuttle of less than a thousand passengers a day.
Ningi’s further laments how the revenue from the train service has dwindled over time and called on the Senate to treat the issue as “a national emergency”.
The Abuja-Kaduna railway line was completed in 2015 as the first phase of the Nigerian railway modernization project.
Constructed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), the Abuja-Kaduna railway was largely funded by project-tied loans obtained from China.
But over the years -, the Abuja-Kaduna rail route has been at the receiving end of poor maintenance, vandalism, bandit attacks and derailments-with the most recent incident in last August in ASHAM.
Chairman Senate Committee on Transport, Senator Adamu Aliero backs the motion ; calling for a concerted effort to fix the “eyesore ‘ the Abuja -Kaduna rail line has become.
In his contribution, President of the Senate, Godswill AKPABIO questions the entire contract agreement and execution of the rail project and calls for a thorough investigation into every single KOBO spent.
Displeased by the “sorry state” of the entire train facilities; AKPABIO took a swipe at the sluggish nature of the Chinese trains when he said “bicycle-even keke is faster than Abuja-Kaduna train.
The Senate subsequently revived its ad hoc committee set up since last November to investigate the matter but was hampered by a paucity of funds.
The probe panel headed by Senator Adams Oshiomhole was formally inaugurated at plenary on Thursday and given six weeks to complete the assignment.
News
Albert Horsfall, Ex-SSS Director-General dies
“Details of funeral arrangements and other related activities will be communicated in due course.”
A former Director-General of the State Security Service and pioneer Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Albert Horsfall, has passed on.
Horsfall’s death was announced in a statement released on Friday, signed by his son, Donald Horsfall, and obtained by our correspondent.
According to the statement, the transition of the elder statesman and great son of Rivers State occurred peacefully, describing him as a “beloved patriarch.”
While the family mourns his death, the statement said they would be comforted by the extraordinary life he lived and the indelible mark he left on the sands of time.
“Details of funeral arrangements and other related activities will be communicated in due course,” it added.
News
US delivers military equipment to Nigeria
The US Africa Command (AFRICOM), in a statement on its website on Thursday, said the equipment was delivered in September through a US Air Force C-17 aircraft.
The United States has delivered military equipment to the Nigerian Air Force in Lagos and Kainji, Niger State, to support counterterrorism operations.
The US Africa Command (AFRICOM), in a statement on its website on Thursday, said the equipment was delivered in September through a US Air Force C-17 aircraft.
According to the command, the delivery was part of a foreign military sales agreement between the United States and Nigerian militaries.
“The delivery furthers the strategic partnership between the two nations in order to enhance Nigerian-led efforts to counter terrorism in the region.
U.S. military support to the Armed Forces of Nigeria is by its invitation and rooted in respect for Nigerian sovereignty,” AFRICOM said.
News
FG scraps data charges for students, plans internet restrictions to under 16s
The initiatives were unveiled by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, under the Initiative for Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content in Nigeria.
The Federal Ministry of Education on Thursday announced the removal of data costs to allow millions of Nigerian students to access approved educational platforms without paying for internet data.
It also disclosed plans to regulate internet access for children below 16 years.
The initiatives were unveiled by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, under the Initiative for Zero-Rated Access to Educational Platforms and Content in Nigeria.
The minister, who spoke at the launch of the initiative, said the initiative formed part of the digital transformation component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, being implemented through the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative.
According to him, government was determined to ensure that the cost of internet connectivity no longer determined which Nigerian child could access quality educational resources.
He explained that the initiative was not merely about providing connectivity but about ensuring that learning remained within the reach of children who could otherwise be shut out because of the cost of data
Regarding the planned regulation of internet access for every child below 16 years, the minister cited growing concerns over cyberattacks and other threats associated with children’s increasing exposure to digital platforms.
“At some point, there would be regulated internet access for every child below the age of 16 years as part of measures to strengthen online child protection,” the minister said.
Bayelsa deploying 19 doctors, 210 nurses to strengthen primary healthcare centres
Albert Horsfall, Ex-SSS Director-General dies
Obi Sees Something Good in Tinubu’s “Naira Float Policy ‘
Tech Expert, Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions, Adesanya, Alexander
Organ Trafficking: Ekweremadu bags 10 years in UK prison
SAINT OBI: Between his marriage and his death
-
Sports3 days agoEguavoen appointed interim Super Falcons coach ahead of 2028 Olympic qualifiers
-
News3 days agoFG inaugurates Committee for nationwide activation of Nigeria’s unified 112 emergency number
-
News3 days agoAbia ranks top in BudgIT 2026 report
-
Politics3 days agoINEC fixes Sept 19 for by-elections in 4 states
-
Business3 days agoAfCFTA : Nigerian Goods In High Demand In Africa, says Minister
-
International3 days agoKenya Gives Foreign Traders 90 Days to Formalise Status Amid Xenophobia Fears
-
News3 days agoKara Bridge Repairs Cripple Lagos-Ibadan Expressway
-
Politics2 days agoBenue Politician,Terhemba Shija Vows To Bring Back Home Over 900,000 in IDP Camps