News

Hope Rises As FG Says Port Harcourt-Aba Train Service To Begins Operation

Published

2 years ago

March 3, 2024

The Federal Government, on Saturday, said train services on the Port Harcourt to Aba route would commence operations by the end of March.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Port Harcourt-Aba rail project is part of the larger Port Harcourt-Maiduguri railroad project initiated by former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

The Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation, Mr. Fidet Okhiria, disclosed this in Port Harcourt after leading a delegation to test-run the reconstructed of Eastern Narrow Guage Rail line.

He said workers were currently putting finishing touches on the tracks to ensure that full train operations could begin within the month.

“I am impressed with what I saw today, especially being able to ride the locomotive and wagon on the tracks.

“Last time we visited, we could not use the train because the contractor said it was not proper to run on the train due to imbalance of the tracks.

“The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, has directed that the Port Harcourt route be connected to rail as well as initiate the linkage of Onne Port,” he said.

Okhiria expressed confidence that the contractor would complete the ‘tampering’ of the railroad within two weeks, preceding the targeted three weeks for the train services to resume.

“We are pushing the contractor to make the track safe by deploying semi-automatic signalling of the machine points rather than manual operation.

“Despite resource challenges, the contractors are doing their best and our goal is to achieve this within the next two weeks.

“With this, we aim to commence passenger train services hopefully within March and fully resume transporting people from Port Harcourt to Aba by the end of March,” he assured.

The NRC boss said the project design team had started designing a rail track to connect the Port Harcourt-Aba railroad line to the Onne seaport.

He added that the corporation had begun collaborating with the port’s terminal manager and leading engineers to ensure a smooth project delivery.

“The initial design has been done and handed over to us. We look at it, make corrections and seek approval. Once approved, work will commence,” he added.

Regarding transport fares, Okhiria mentioned that due to the current high cost of diesel, commuters might have to pay higher fares than what was obtainable before.

He said if the NRC could not cover 100 per cent fuel cost, it would aim to generate at least 50 per cent from passengers to sustain operations.

“Additionally, we will assess the conditions of the roads with intent to cover at least 50 per cent of the road costs.

“The government is working with relevant security agencies to ensure adequate security of the rain line and the linkage of security devices from the trains to the control room.

“Communities should protect what the government is putting in place for us. We are striving to ensure that people who come on the train are safe,” he noted.

Okhiria cautioned traders against conducting business on the rail lines, as the trains would no longer slow down for them to remove their goods before passing.

He said that the trains were scheduled to run according to fixed times across all railroads in the country.
NAN

News

Out-of-school: Bauchi Education Ministry Takes ‘Back To School’ Campaign To Markets

Published

8 hours ago

October 15, 2025

Editor

The Bauchi State Ministry of Education has launched a sensitization campaign on the importance of education across selected market places in the state.

The campaign aims to encourage school enrolment and showcase the infrastructural facilities provided by the Bauchi state government to ensure a conducive environment for learning and teaching in the state.

Speaking during the flag off of the campaign at Gadan-Maiwa Community, Dr. Mohammed Lawal, the state’s Commissioner for Education, emphasized that the marketplaces are ideal locations to promote education, as it is a hub of activity where people gather to buy and sell.

He highlighted the various infrastructural facilities provided by the government, which he said included the mega schools, provision of qualified teachers, and educational materials to woo parents to enroll their wards into school.

The Commissioner noted that the state has made significant progress in reducing the number of out-of-school children.

Lawal stated that the government has implemented a Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) programme to support the education of girl children, which he said, has recorded significant success.

He therefore urged parents to take advantage of the government’s efforts and send their children to school.

The commissioner also commended Governor Bala Mohammed for his commitment to education and reducing the number of out-of-school children in the state.

On their part, the village head of Gadan-Maiwa, Safiyanu Ahmed, and the Chairman of Gadan-Maiwa motor Park, Alhaji Adamu Abubakar, lauded the government’s initiative and urged parents to support the effort.

The duo also appealed for more teachers to be employed to improve education in the state.

News

How My Fiancée kept Me From Temptations – Singer Spyro

Published

13 hours ago

October 15, 2025

Editor

Nigerian singer, Oludipe Oluwasanmi David, popularly known as Spyro, has revealed that his fiancée, Janet Atom, keeps him him grounded and away from temptations.

The ‘Who’s Your Guy’ crooner shared that before meeting his fiancée he was “tempted” by ladies, especially in Lekki.

Hailing his fiancée as his “Jesus baddie,” he appreciated her for changing his life.

The singer captioned a picture of his fiancée via Instagram; “Eiii God! My very own Jesus baddie @_callme_njure.

“Thank you again for saving me from Lekki girls o, na me know wettin my eyes see.”

Recall that Spyro recently engaged Janet Atom. He disclosed that he met her at a nightclub while announcing their engagement in September.

News

Drama In Abuja Hotel As BBNaija Star, Phyna Creates Scene Over alleged N200,000 Dispute [VIDEO]

Published

13 hours ago

October 15, 2025

Editor

Former Big Brother Naija winner, Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, was reportedly involved in a heated altercation at a hotel in Abuja following an alleged N200,000 disagreement.

According to eyewitness accounts, the confrontation began in the early hours of Tuesday inside Phyna’s hotel room in Abuja, before spilling into the lobby, attracting the attention of guests and staff.

Sources claimed the dispute stemmed from an unsettled financial issue involving N200,000, which quickly escalated into a shouting match.

The argument reportedly intensified when neither party was willing to back down, leading to pushing and chaos within the hotel premises.

Eyewitnesses further alleged that the situation worsened after others connected to the individuals involved joined the confrontation, turning the verbal exchange into a physical clash.

Security personnel and police officers were eventually called in to restore order, using teargas to disperse the crowd.

The incident comes shortly after Phyna returned to the public eye following a brief break to mourn the death of her sister, who died in an accident involving a Dangote truck.

Watch video:

https://x.com/i/status/1978198954014629890