She is a history-maker and has etched her name in the history book. No other Nigerian woman has ever attained that feat and she has by that noble attainment, carved a niche for herself and Nigeria in a way that makes her a role model and an inspiration for future generations of women.

Indeed, the name Issah Fatimah Abiola, will surely occupy a strategic position when the history of Nigeria-China relationship is written. Although Issah Abiola has just written her name in gold through her exploits in the railway industry, she has by her feat drawn Nigeria and China closer and showcased what it means for two countries to work together for their mutual benefits.

Abiola’s journey to the top did not come on a platter, though. But she took her strides one step at a time and worked with hope, commitment and dedication to whatever she was given to do in order to lay a solid foundation for her success. And, that perseverance has paid off handsomely for Abiola. She was employed by the Chinese construction giant: China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation, CCECC, as an office assistant and she took the bull by the horn from that foundation laid by the company.

Abiola’s journey with CCECC began in 2008, according to the construction firm. Driven by a desire to bridge communication gaps between Chinese and Nigerian colleagues, she taught herself Mandarin. Her efforts quickly elevated her role from administrative support to a critical liaison during the construction of the Abuja-Kaduna Railway and Abuja Metro project.

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In 2013, she became the only woman selected for train driver training. After rigorous study and field practice, she made history on July 12, 2018, by driving Nigeria’s first passenger train operated by a woman. Since then, she has driven over 2,000 trips, safely transporting more than one million passengers.

Apart from working on railway tracks, Abiola has also worked as a cultural ambassador for Chinese projects in Nigeria and used that capacity to promote Chinese engineering, culture, and bilateral goodwill through public outreach, educational programmes, and extensive media engagement. As a result, Abiola’s exciting story has continued to draw global media coverage, becoming a model of people-to-people cooperation under China’s Belt and Road Initiative, BRI.

The Orchid Award is the latest recognition in a series of honours for Abiola, including the China-Nigeria Friendship Contribution Award from the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria and commendations from former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari.

The company that lifted Abiola to the global stage, CCECC, has described Abiola’s story as a powerful testament to the long-standing friendship and cooperation between China and Nigeria. The company highlighted her role in mentoring a new generation of local female train drivers and her current work as a certified trainer, helping to transfer Chinese rail expertise to local personnel.

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The company also noted that the Abuja Metro project, where Abiola is based, created nearly 5,000 jobs for Nigerians, with 98% local employment and a growing share of Nigerian leadership.

Her ongoing role in Chinese cultural events and technical training, both in Nigeria and China, underscores her dedication to deeper China-Africa collaboration. From language education to cultural performances and mentorship, Abiola continues to inspire a new generation, embodying the ideals of partnership, resilience, and shared growth.

The prestigious Friendship Envoy Award, was hosted by the China Foreign Language Bureau and recognises international individuals and institutions that promote global cultural exchange and mutual understanding.

Abiola, who is popularly known by her Chinese name Bai Yang, was recognised for her outstanding contributions to China-Nigeria cultural ties, having grown from an office assistant at China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) to Nigeria’s first female train driver and a national symbol of resilience and cross-cultural collaboration.

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Established as a major international cultural award by China, the Orchid Award aligns with the Global Civilization Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping. It celebrates those advancing common human values, intercultural dialogue, and the vision of a shared future for humanity.

At the event, CCECC reaffirmed its commitment to “teaching people how to fish” in Africa through technology transfer, local talent development, and cultural integration. Abiola’s recognition, the company said, symbolises both her personal achievements and the broader success of people-centred cooperation under China-Africa relations.

Abiola reflects on the significance of the award to her, saying:

“This Orchid award means a lot to me because it is not only a friendship award but also a symbol of recognition from both China and Nigeria. I feel valued, excited and honoured.”

She also has a word for other Nigerian women: “To every Nigerian woman dreaming of becoming a train driver—go for it! Don’t let stereotypes or societal limits hold you back. This profession, like many others, is not just for men.

“With determination, hard work, and the right training, you can excel in this field. Believe in yourself, break barriers, and inspire others,” she counsels.
(VANGUARD)

The Society for Family Health, SFH, said nine Nigerians die every hour in Nigeria as a result of malaria.

This was also as it said 97 per cent of Nigerians suffer from the burden of malaria.

The Society’s Social and Behavioural Change Specialist, Sesugh Deborah Oryiman, disclosed this during a media orientation on integrated insecticide treated nets (ITNs) and Seasonal Malaria Chemo prevention (SMC) campaign in Kano.

Oryiman said during the campaign, it planned to distribute 7.7million treated nets and over 15m doses of SPAQ to children between age of 3-59 months in order to reduce the burden of malaria.

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According to her, “Malaria is the most common preventable public health problem in Nigeria, yet it takes a lethal toll on 97% of Nigerians, especially children under five years of age and pregnant women.

“Evidence has shown that Nigeria accounts for nearly 110million clinically diagnosed cases per year.

“An estimated 30% of child and 11% of maternal deaths each year are due to malaria.

“Nigeria accounts for a quarter ofthe malaria burden in the world.

“Two out of every 4 persons having malaria in West African sub-region live in Nigeria. One out of 5 deaths from malaria globally occur in Nigeria. Malaria kills 9 people every hour in Nigeria.

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“It is the commonest cause of absenteeism from schools, offices, farms, markets, etc, resulting to lower productivity.

“In addition to the overburden on health system it also exerts a huge social and economic burden on our communities and country, retarding the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 40% annually and billions of Naira is lost to malaria annually in form of treatment cost, prevention and loss of man hours. Despite the increase in malaria incidence, there was a notable decrease in malaria prevalence as determined by microscopy, dropping from 27% in 2015 to 22% in 2021.

“Malaria can be prevented by not allowing mosquito to bite us. One assured way (and most cost effective) is to sleep inside a net consistently,” she said.

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The Society’s Social and Behavioral Change Specialist, Oryiman maintained the distribution of treated nets were to focus on Local Government areas and wards most vulnerable and with prevalent cases of malaria while the SPAQ dosage will be carried out across the 44 LGAs of the state.

On his part, the Kano State Malaria Elimination Programme Manager, SMEPM, Babangida Gwarzo said it has engaged over 27,000 Community Mobilizers and Distributors, CMDs to go house to house to give the SPAQ dosage to the children and targets to reach over 3 million children as well as give the caregiver token for collection of the treated nets.

He however, appealed to caregivers to avail their wards for the dosage to reduce the burden of malaria in the state, especially during the rainy season.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has forecasted rainy and thundery weather conditions across the country from Monday to Wednesday, warning of possible flash floods in some areas.

NiMet’s weather outlook, released on Sunday in Abuja, predicted thunderstorms with moderate rainfall on Monday morning over parts of Jigawa, Zamfara, Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, Yobe, and Katsina States in the northern region.

“The remaining parts of the region are expected to experience sunny conditions with patches of cloud.

“Thunderstorms with moderate rain are expected during the afternoon or evening hours over parts of Jigawa, Zamfara, Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, Yobe, Katsina, Kebbi, Adamawa, and Taraba States,” the agency stated.

“However, there are chances of flash floods occurring over parts of Bauchi, Jigawa, Katsina, Kaduna, and Kano States during the forecast period.”

It said in the central region, cloudy skies are anticipated in the morning, with light to moderate rainfall expected in parts of Niger, Benue, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Plateau, and Nasarawa States.

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“Later in the day, rains are expected in Plateau, Nasarawa, FCT, Kogi, Benue, and Niger States.”

NiMet also noted a high risk of flash flooding in parts of Plateau State.

For the southern region, cloudy skies would be expected in the morning, with light to moderate rainfall predicted in parts of Ondo, Imo, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom States later in the day.

On Tuesday, sunny skies with patches of clouds would be expected over the northern region.

The agency said thunderstorms with moderate rain were anticipated in the morning over parts of Adamawa, Taraba, Yobe, Kaduna, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Katsina, and Kano States.

According to NiMet, later in the day, thunderstorms and rain are forecast over Adamawa, Taraba, Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, and Kebbi States.

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“In the central region, light to moderate morning rain is expected over Niger, Benue, FCT, Kogi, Plateau, and Nasarawa States, with moderate rainfall anticipated in Plateau, Niger, FCT, Kwara, Kogi, and Nasarawa later in the day.

“Over the southern region, cloudy skies are forecast in the morning, with a chance of rain in parts of Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.

“In the afternoon and evening, moderate rainfall is expected across Abia, Delta, Rivers, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa States.”

On Wednesday, the northern region would be expected to see sunny skies with patches of clouds.

“Morning thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over Kaduna, Kebbi, Taraba, Sokoto, Zamfara, Yobe, Jigawa, Kano, and Katsina States.

“Thunderstorms with moderate rainfall are expected later in the day in Borno, Jigawa, Kaduna, Taraba, Adamawa, Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe, Zamfara, and Kebbi States.

“The central region will experience cloudy skies with chances of morning thunderstorms and rain in Plateau, Niger, FCT, and Nasarawa States. Moderate rainfall is expected later in the afternoon and evening in the FCT, Plateau, Niger, Benue, and Nasarawa States.”

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According to NiMet, in the southern region, morning rains are forecast in Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Cross River States, with cloudy skies expected elsewhere.

“During the afternoon and evening, moderate to heavy rains are likely across Ebonyi, Abia, Enugu, Imo, Anambra, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River, and Akwa Ibom States.”

NiMet warned that states at risk of flash floods should activate emergency response systems.

It advised the public to avoid driving during heavy rains, ensure vulnerable individuals dress warmly due to low night-time temperatures, and take precautions against strong winds that might precede thunderstorms.

“Ensure that loose objects are fastened to prevent damage. Disconnect electrical appliances during storms and avoid sheltering under tall trees,” the agency advised.

NiMet also urged airline operators to obtain airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from its offices for effective planning.

Residents were encouraged to stay informed through regular weather updates available on the agency’s website: www.nimet.gov.ng.