By Afolabi Oyekunle. The 50 Ferry professionals including captains, marine engineers, safety officers and fleet managers would go through hybrid learning lectures structure that combines self-paced study, virtual mentorship and practical hands- on sessions.            The trainees The training was declared open yesterday at the LASWA headquarters in Lagos attended by key personalities in the industry and INTERFERRY officials who joined virtually from abroad. People at the opening ceremony of the program. Speaking at the ceremony, the Special Adviser to the Lagos state Governor on Blue Economy,  Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel,  said this came about in order to prioritise safety while expanding water transportation and to ensure operators are exposed to advanced knowledge in the industry. According to him, since he came to office and with training and exposure of operators, there has been lesser incidents on the seaways. The Spe...

B y Afolabi Oyekunle. The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), in strategic partnership with Interferry—the global ferry association with consultative status at the International MaritimeOrganization is set to launch the groundbreaking Ferry Safety Development and Mentoring Program on Wednesday at LASWA headquarters in Lagos  According to LASWA, the landmark initiative in Africa is set to revolutionize ferry safety practices, boost operational efficiency, and significantly elevate professional standards among industry operators. The 18-month intensive program will feature mentorship from top Interferry experts, complemented by facilitators from esteemed maritime institutions, leading maritime companies, and regulatory agencies across Nigeria. "A carefully selected cohort of 50 participants—including ferry captains, deckhands, marine engineers/technicians, safety officers, compliance professionals, and fleet managers—will undergo comprehensive training and mentorshi...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has condemned in strong terms the increase attacks on its train operations along the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor by suspected vandals and criminal elements. The latest incident occurred around Kilometer 177 along the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor, where some unknown persons reportedly gathered along the rail track and began pelting stones at a moving train, leading to damage to the windscreen of the leading locomotive. The windscreen stoned by the bandits. The Corporation noted with deep concern that within the last two weeks, similar attacks have also been witnessed in other locations, including Gidan Busa/Sarki Gora Village, Kakau District, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, among others, a development that is posing serious danger to railway operations, passengers, and operational personnel. Management disclosed that similar incidents have so far been recorded in more than six locations along the corridor...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has commended the cordial and collaborative relationship between the Corporation, the Abia State Government, and the Enugu State Government.  According to the Managing Director such productive harmony can only yield even greater positive results for the benefit of the people. Dr. Opeifa spoke during separate high-level meetings with the Abia and Enugu State Governments held in Umuahia and Enugu respectively. MD NRC: Dr. Kayode Opeifa Represented by the Railway District Manager, Eastern District, Mr. Agwonye Francis Ejike, Dr. Opeifa described the two states as partners in progress. The Abia State Government delegation was led by the Director General of the Umuahia Capital Territory Development Authority (UCTDA), Mr. Kingsley Agomoh.  During the Umuahia meeting, Dr. Opeifa strongly praised the Abia State Government for its crucial assistance in clearing the NRC's...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. Pensioners under the Contributory Pension Scheme in Lagos state yesterday used the May Day rally to draw the attention of the state Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu and the world to their plight as they staged peaceful protests during the rally.  The event was so dramatic as it caught the attention of everyone at the stadium.  The Pensioners expressed their displeasure to the non payment of their Pension Arears since it was approved by President Bola Tinubu since 2025. According to them, because of financial situation many could not adequately take care of themselves and many are dying. They decried the delay in payment of their pension arrears, which their federal counterparts have been receiving since it was approved by President Bola Tinubu. CPS Pensioners at the rally led by Chairman, Comrade Michael Omisande. The Pensioners called on Governor Babajide Sanwoolu to acceed to their request and pay their entitlement as they are dying. T...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. In its desire to ensure prompt  payment of accrued  rights of employees and capture their data, Pencom is deploying on-line capturing  for all active employees of treasury-funded Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) who were employed before 30 June 2004.   The exercise which commenced on 2nd February 2026 and  ends on 31 July 2026, is aimed at capturing accurate and complete data on eligible workers. This will support the timely payment of their accrued pension rights under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS. According to Pencom, the Federal Government has intensified efforts to improve participation in the ongoing mandatory verification and enrolment exercise for civil servants with accrued pension rights, following low turnout despite the importance of the exercise.   "Towards this, the National Pension Commission (PenCom) is conducting a one-ti...