News

Lagos Blue Line Raises Daily Trips

Published

4 weeks ago

August 8, 2025

The Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue Line will from Monday, August 11, 2025, operate every 10 minutes, cutting the Marina to Mile 2 journey time to just 10 minutes. This represents an eight-minute reduction in travel time.

According to a press statement by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, the reduction in train headway will save commuters about 44 per cent in time and improve overall journey experience.

With the new schedule, Blue Line trips will increase to 90 from the current 72 on Mondays through Saturdays, while Sunday trips remain unchanged at 22.

The Managing Director of LAMATA, Abimbola Akinajo, attributed the achievement to new rolling stock procured by the Lagos State Government with Federal Government support.

Akinajo said, “We are excited to facilitate the increase in the number of trips since our commitment is to have a world-class, sustainable transport system that satisfies stakeholders and drives the growth of Lagos.”

She explained that the “increase in the number of trips and rolling stock foreshadows the operation of the entire Blue Line when the infrastructure is completed to the terminal point at Okokomaiko, in the last quarter of 2026.”

The statement added that the Blue Line, which commenced passenger operations on September 4, 2023, has so far transported over five million passengers.

It also noted that the second phase of the Blue Line, currently under construction, is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, with passenger operations beginning in the first quarter of 2027.

News

FirstBank’s Digital Banking Channels Suffers Downtime

Published

35 minutes ago

September 4, 2025

Editor

FirstBank has suffered a temporary disruption to its major digital banking channels, which will prevent some customers from completing transactions.

In a notice issued on Thursday, the bank said the downtime is affecting services on FirstMobile, FirstOnline, and its *894# USSD platforms.

“Please be informed that we are currently experiencing some downtime affecting transactions to other banks on FirstMobile, FirstOnline, and USSD platforms. Customers may therefore experience delayed or declined transactions,” the circular read.

The bank apologised for the inconvenience and assured customers that its technical team, working with partner service providers, is making every effort to restore full services as quickly as possible.

The disruption occurred less than two months after FirstBank introduced facial biometric authentication on its FirstMobile app, designed to enhance the customer experience and security.

News

JUST IN: Tinubu Begins 10-day Vacation, Departs Abuja For Europe

Published

2 hours ago

September 4, 2025

Editor

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday commenced a 10-day vacation as part of his 2025 annual leave, the Presidency announced.

According to a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President will spend the 10-working-day vacation between France and the United Kingdom, after which he will return to Nigeria.

Onanuga said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja today, September 4, to commence a working vacation in Europe, as part of his 2025 annual leave.

“The vacation will last 10 working days.

“President Tinubu will spend the period between France and the UK and then return to the country.”

Details later…

News

NYSC Pays Arrears After Two-month Break

Published

16 hours ago

September 3, 2025

Editor

The National Youth Service Corps resumed payments for arrears on Wednesday, marking the first disbursement since the last payment on June 3, following a two-month break.

This payment relates to the new N77,000 monthly allowance recently approved by the Federal Government.

Recall that on April 5th, the Director-General of NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, assured that corps members who recently completed their service will receive the new N77,000 monthly allowance approved by the Federal Government.

Speaking during the Batch A 2025 Pre-Mobilisation Workshop in Abuja, Nafiu said, “Once funds are released to us to offset the arrears, we will pay them. Even our corps members who passed out recently will benefit. We have their bank details.”

He emphasised the government’s commitment, adding, “Nigerians should not fret about that because the government is both responsible and responsive to their needs.”

This development was confirmed by PUNCH, by a previously serving corps member who chose to remain anonymous, who said, “After waiting for two months, I didn’t expect to see another payment alert. But honestly, it’s not just about the money; it’s about feeling like our efforts actually count.

The payment of arrears, covering the period from July 2024 to March 2025, follows widespread frustration over delayed implementation after the Federal Government approved the allowance increase as part of its commitment to easing economic hardship for Nigerian youth.