General News
Abuja-Kaduna Rail service starts in 7 days- FG
The Federal Government says train services between the Abuja and Kaduna route will resume within seven day from Nov. 27, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
Minister of Transportation Mua’zu Sambo disclosed this on Sunday while inspecting the test running the train route.
The minister said that this was to enable passengers to get used to the new requirements for enjoying the train service.
He said:” The issue of whether the train will start tomorrow or not, we have not said the train services will start tomorrow.
”I want to be very categorical about that. Now, we have introduced a new system before you buy a ticket.
” Your purchase of a ticket requires you to provide a phone number and a national identification number in order to profile, because that is the beginning of the security checks.
”So, at any point in time when a train moves from one station to another we know who and who are on board.
” If you don’t have an NIN, you are not going to board our train. It is as simple as that.
”If you are a minor, an adult will pay for you and will register for you and an adult can only register for not more than four minors.”
Sambo added that:” Now, we want to give sufficient time for the Nigerian public to listen to these and assimilate this new system, because if we start tomorrow, a lot of people will be disgruntled.
” Definitely between three, four, five days, certainly not more than a week.”
He assured Nigerians that 90 per cent arrangement had been completed for the smooth commencement of the services.
Sambo added that the remaining 10 per cent measures would be achieved in a couple of days for the smooth commencement.
”I think we are 90 per cent ready as far as what we are set out to do is concerned.
” The remaining 10 per cent I am sure would be achieved in the next couple of days for full resumption of train services.
” Certain concrete measures that are feasible include the ticketing. Security starts from ticketing so now you don’t buy a ticket unless you have a valid phone number and you have a NIN.
” And if you are a foreigner, you also have a means of identification you can use which is produced by the National Identity Management Commission.
” Having secured your ticket, you will not get access to the lounge until the machine reads the barcode in your receipt.
” Your details will show and your complete profile will show on the screen. Only then will you be allowed to go into the lounge. This is what we call customer profiling,” Sambo said.
According to the minister, there will be increased number of security personnel some of which may not be wearing uniform in order to guarantee the safety of passengers.
He said:” The other thing is that, for every journey the train is monitored every second and the train driver can see up to a certain distance.
”If there is any threats on the track, that would enable him march the break before getting to the perceived threat.”
Sambo explained that there would be reduced number of trips on the route and as the traveling population picked, the number of trips would increase.
”But we will certainly not travel at night,” he said.
He further said that some other sensitive equipment which would not be disclosed had also been put in place to ensure safety of life and property.
On fares, he said discussions were in place and the fares could be increased.
”My assurance to Nigerians is that even I will be using the train, and other of my counterparts who have homes in Kaduna.
”Infect, from next week they will start using this train so I am giving Nigerians full assurance that a human being can give that this train is safe for them to use.
”There is absolutely nothing to fear. We have learnt from what has happened and life is about learning lessons and adopting measures with the lessons.
”As a responsible government, we have seen those lessons and we have devised appropriate measures to counter it.
”Like I always say that I was not going to allow this train to resume until everybody in captivity was released and to the glory of God I have achieved that.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that train services along the corridor was halted due to terrorist attack on March 28 which led to loss of lives and kidnap of some passengers
(NAN)
General News
Clergy Urged To Put Members’ Welfare Above All Else
At a solemn ordination service in Abuja, senior church leaders have called on pastors to make the well-being of their congregations a top priority, following the example of Jesus Christ.
Speaking during the priesthood ordination and installation of a Sub Dean at the Cathedral Church of Advent, Life Camp, Abuja, the retired Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Okene, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Ajulo, described pastors as shepherds charged with the care of their flock. He urged them to shun worldly distractions and focus on meeting the spiritual and material needs of their members.
Bishop Ajulo also encouraged the newly ordained priests to remain faithful to their calling by teaching God’s word without compromise.
In his charge, the Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, urged the new clergy to preach the undiluted gospel and foster religious harmony wherever they serve. He expressed confidence that their new roles would help promote peace and unity in society.
The service also featured prayers for national leaders and divine intervention in addressing the current global economic challenges.
General News
1,000 Prayer Warriors Storm Ilorin for Tinubu, Nation’s Deliverance
In a dramatic show of faith and patriotism, over 1,000 fiery prayer warriors from across Nigeria will descend on Ilorin, Kwara State, this Saturday, lifting their voices in intense intercession for President Bola Tinubu’s success and Nigeria’s survival in the face of biting economic woes and mounting insecurity.
The spiritual siege, themed “Walking in Domini”, is the maiden convention of the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), with its Kwara State Chairman, Evangelist Thomas Adeboye, vowing that “heaven will hear and respond to Nigeria’s cry.”
Aside from marathon prayers, the gathering will roll out free medical outreach to locals across Kwara’s LGAs, a gesture aimed at touching both body and soul.
Adeboye, lamenting Nigeria’s “troubling economic and security realities”, called for a nationwide prayer uprising, insisting that Tinubu has shown the will to revive the nation but needs massive divine backing to succeed.
“Banditry, a collapsing economy, and political tension demand we seek God’s face like never before,” he declared. “We will storm heaven for wisdom for the President and governors to steer Nigeria to safety.”
The convention will also feature awards to distinguished personalities, soul-lifting worship, fiery sermons, and unity-driven lectures—all capped with thunderous prayers for Nigeria’s redemption.
Adeboye urged the President to ensure every policy has “a human face,” stressing that Nigerians must not only endure but also enjoy the fruits of governance.
With the OAIC promising to reaffirm believers’ authority in Christ and rally spiritual boldness in the face of national challenges, Ilorin is set to become the epicentre of a powerful spiritual warfare for Nigeria’s destiny.
General News
Nigerian Anglicans Condemn Lesbian Archbishop of Wales, Deepening Global Anglican Rift
…Church leaders accuse Welsh counterparts of “spiritual decadence” and “abandonment of faith”
The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has issued a forceful condemnation of the election of Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann, an openly lesbian cleric, as the Archbishop of Wales. The move is the latest in a series of developments that have deepened divisions within the global Anglican Communion over sexuality and doctrine.
In a statement from Primate The Most Rev’d Henry Ndukuba, the church denounced the election as a “serious departure from biblical teaching” and a sign of “spiritual decadence” and “an outright abandonment of the faith once delivered to the saints.”
Archbishop Ndukuba warned that Bishop Vann’s elevation compromises the Anglican Church’s global mission and could obstruct evangelism. He compared the situation to the controversial tenure of Most Rev. Katherine Jefferts Schori, former Presiding Bishop of the U.S. Episcopal Church, who also faced intense criticism from conservative Anglicans for her progressive views.
The Primate accused Bishop Vann of being complicit in the “ongoing crisis” around same-sex issues, stating that the election is a “clear revelation that many who claim to be members of the body of Christ cannot endure sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:3–4).
The Church of Nigeria called on Anglicans worldwide to reject “rebels” and “apostates” and to instead support conservative bodies like the Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON).
“The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) condemns, unequivocally rejects, and will not recognize the election of Rt. Rev. Cherry Vann as Archbishop of Wales,” Ndukuba declared. He concluded with a solemn warning that without repentance, the Church in Wales risks losing “complete relevance” and its leaders will face judgment.
