General News
Expanding frontiers of Nigeria’s railway networks
Unarguably, the present administration has deepened Nigeria’s railway networks. Providing modern railway lines was indeed one of the campaign promises of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Since assumption of office, Buhari has inaugurated some railway lines. They are: Abuja-Kaduna; Itape-Warri and Lagos-Ibadan. There was groundbreaking for Kano-Maradi.
Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who spoke on the achievements of Buhari in the transportation sector, explained that the administration made tremendous efforts through the Ministry to revive Nigeria’s railway system.
According to him, in July 2016, Abuja-Kaduna rail line was inaugurated and in September 2020, the 326-kilometre-Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri rail lines was also inaugurated.
The inauguration, according to Amaechi, was a feat as the project was conceived about 30 years ago.
“ While Lagos-Ibadan line was inaugurated in June, the president, however, carried out groundbreaking of the Kano-Maradi rail line in July,’’ he added.
He noted that the Abuja-Kaduna rail line and Lagos-Ibadan line were the biggest achievements of the government, adding that other rail projects had also achieved appreciable level of progress.
Amaechi said that “nowadays, passengers could travel regularly to Kaduna from Abuja by railway.’’
He further reiterated that Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge has been concluded and plans were under way to rehabilitate the narrow gauge lines.
He said that the development came with huge economic relief to Nigerians, as rail transportation system had in the past played significant role in economic and cultural integration of the country.
In furtherance of government’s commitment to link the country via rail lines, Amaechi said that work would soon commence on the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri and Lagos-Calabar rail lines.
He explained that the aim of the country’s rail policy was to boost inter-trade between Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
“The Federal Government has embarked on the completion of the outstanding segment of the Lagos – Kano railway, which is Ibadan – Kano.
“The Lagos – Kano railway project when completed will link the Kano – Maradi line at Kano and a rail link from the Nigeria southern ports of Lagos to Maradi in Niger Republic will be achieved.
“The connection through rail will position Nigerian ports as the choice for import and export business of the people of landlocked Niger Republic.
“This will be beneficial to the economy through employment from new business opportunities and wealth creation.
“The government is also working at developing the Ibadan – Kano railway and the connection to the Tin Can Island port as well as the West – East Coastal rail line from Lagos to Calabar, linking Onitsha, Benin, Warri, Yenagoa, Port Harcourt, Aba and Uyo.’’
On the Kano -Maradi project, he said the project would allow people to transverse with ease, between Abuja and Kano via Kaduna and will eventually link Kano-Maradi as well as the seaports in Lagos to Maradi, providing access to the landlocked Niger Republic.
He also said that the scope of the railway project involved a 203-kilometre double track standard gauge railway from Kano to Kaduna.
“The railway along this route traverses the major cities of Kaduna, Zaria and Kano with three railway stations both for passenger and freight services at Rigachukun, Zaria and Kano with varying capacities and categories.’’
Amaechi reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to work assiduously in line with Mr President’s directives, to implement all the corridors within the Nigeria railway modernisation project and progressively expand the railway network in the country.
Mr Fidet Okhiria, Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), who spoke on the aggressive rail policy of the present administration, expressed satisfaction at the commitment of the Federal Government toward railway infrastructure in the country.
Okhiria observed that the efforts were yielding results as many Nigerians now have opportunities to travel and move their goods via railways across the country.
According to him, railway transport has many capabilities to boost economic growth and development in the country.
He said aside being capable of easing the strain on the country’s road network; rail transportation is safer, more reliable and economical, particularly in terms of managing mass cargo movement within the country’s major cities.
“It enables seamless transportation that engenders robust economies.
“The railway transport system creates jobs and enhances the growth and development of cities.
“It is a known fact that an efficient railway corporation would encourage movement of passengers and bulky goods.
“This will also bring about cheaper cost of transportation, resulting in reduction in the prices of local commodities and better living standard.’’
He said that travelling time on the roads could be minimised as more people would be encouraged to use the railway service as opposed to the use of cars.
Okhiria said it would also help the environment by reducing the poisonous toxic emissions from vehicles.
He added that the railway has a very high safety margin; better space economy; better overall speed, environmental friendliness; and can also support national security.
Okhiria who also spoke on the revenue potential of the NRC, said that the rail sector of the transportation industry generated an average of N327 million monthly to government coffers.
Okhiria told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the Abuja-Kaduna route generated an average of N265 million; Lagos-Ibadan, N17 million; while Warri-Itakpe generated N45 million.
On the Abuja-Kaduna route, Okhiria said there had been a continuous increase of passengers on the route.
He said that the NRC had introduced an additional diesel multiple unit, which had enabled an increase in the number of train trips between Abuja and Kaduna from eight to 10 per day.
Okhiria said that for Wednesdays, trips on that route had been increased from four to six.
He expressed confidence that this would go a long way to accommodate the increasing number of passengers.
With the commitment shown by the government in the expansion of the country’s rail networks, pressure on Nigerian roads will soon be a thing of the past.
NAN
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.
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.
…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.
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