Railways are often described as the lifeline of nations. In Nigeria, they are more than just steel tracks and locomotives; they are vital arteries for food distribution, trade, and national integration. Yet, in recent years, accidents ranging from derailments, vandalism, and even targeted attacks have reminded us that our railway system still faces critical safety and operational challenges. This article reflects on Nigeria’s railway story from the past, present, and future. It highlights practical steps that policymakers and stakeholders can take to ensure that our railways become safe, reliable, and sustainable. The Benefits of a Strong Rail System Economic –…
Author: Editor
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has revealed that 284,000 people have been declared missing by their families worldwide. Diana Japaridza, Head of Sub-Delegation at the ICRC Maiduguri Field Office, disclosed this on Saturday during a gathering held in Maiduguri to mark the International Day of the Disappeared, a day of unity and compassion dedicated to missing persons and their families. The event was organised by the ICRC Maiduguri office. Japaridza said the organisation joined families of the missing to honour victims of enforced disappearance and to stand in solidarity with their relatives. “The issue of missing people…
The Kogi State Government has called for stronger collaboration to protect children against measles and rubella as it prepares for a statewide vaccination campaign. Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adams Abdulazeez, made the call on Saturday in Lokoja during a planning meeting with local government health educators and chairmen ahead of the Integrated Measles-Rubella (MR) Vaccine Introduction scheduled for October 4–13. He stressed that the campaign was about saving lives, pledging that no child in Kogi would be left behind. Executive Director of the Kogi State Primary Health Care Development Agency (KSPHCDA), Dr. Musa Mu’azu, said the state was fully prepared…
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has confirmed another fatal boat mishap—the third within the month—in Sokoto State. The incident occurred on Friday afternoon at Jaranja River in Shagari Local Government Area. NIWA’s Area Manager in Sokoto, Mr. Bala Bello, said two persons lost their lives while nine survivors were rescued. Bello attributed the accident to negligence, canoe overloading, and violation of safety regulations. He explained that a joint rescue team, comprising officials of NIWA, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), and the Red Cross Society, was deployed to the scene. “The team…
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has revealed that no fewer than 13,595 families are still searching for 23,659 missing persons across Nigeria. The ICRC Family Link Officer, Mr. Benson Lee, disclosed this on Saturday in Yola during the commemoration of the International Day of the Disappeared. According to him, 59 per cent of those missing were minors at the time of their disappearance, while 67 per cent of the cases occurred in Borno State. “Worldwide figures show that in 2024 alone, more than 94,000 people were registered as missing by their families with the Family Links Network,…
Former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan will launch the Care365 Health Hub at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre on Tuesday. The event will be led by General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who is the Chairman of Care365 Health Hub. Obasanjo will chair the event, and Jonathan will be the Guest of Honour. The Minister of Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, will officially unveil the innovation.Care365 is a new healthcare project that started in the United States and is now being launched in Nigeria. It aims to improve healthcare access and services in the country. The project includes four major…
The Nigeria International Lighting Expo (NILE) 2025 will showcase low-carbon technology in Lagos from Sept.ember17 to 19. The Expo is organised by Zhongsheng International Business (Zhongshan) Co. Ltd. Speaking at a news conference on Saturday, Ms Lisa Lin, General Manager of Zhongshan Company Ltd., said the event would take place at the Landmark Centre, Lagos. She said the Expo, themed “Zero-Carbon Lighting: Supporting Nigeria’s Energy Transition Goals,” aligns with the country’s energy transformation agenda. Lin noted that the exhibition would provide a platform to showcase low-carbon and smart lighting technologies, while boosting Nigeria’s lighting industry and enhancing its global influence.…
Between August 2024 and July 2025, Lagos State recorded 8,692 cases of domestic and sexual violence. The state’s Attorney General, Lawal Pedro, SAN, shared this information during a press event to mark Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness Month in September.Pedro, speaking at the event in Alausa, Ikeja, revealed that domestic violence was the most common issue, with 3,685 reported cases. He was represented by Hameed Oyenuga, the State Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice. Pedro also highlighted that the youngest survivor was just 18 months old, and the oldest was 79 years old, showing that abuse affects…
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), in partnership with the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), has awarded prizes to the winners of the Code4Africa Privacy Hackathon. They also called for the development of better solutions for data privacy to improve protection in the digital world. The hackathon took place during the 17th annual ISACA conference in Abuja on Thursday, bringing together students who shared creative solutions for data privacy and protection. This was the second edition of the event, which was also organized with the help of Scratch and Script Ltd, an IT and data privacy company. Mr.…
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced that the emergency rule in Rivers State will soon be lifted, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for local government elections to be held within 30 days. Wike, speaking in Abuja on Friday, said the federal government’s intervention in Rivers earlier this year was a temporary measure to stabilize governance after a political crisis. “The President has made it clear that Rivers people must elect their local leaders within 30 days. Once that is done, there will be no basis for the emergency administration,” Wike said. The directive is expected…