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Showing posts from October, 2025

Warri - Itakpe train service resumes Wednesday.

By Afolabi Oyekunle. Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) says the Warri - Itakpe train service (WITS) is to officially resume on Wednesday, 29th October after temporary suspension. However, the online booking portal is to open by noon on Monday October 27, 2025, about 48hours ahead of resumption via https://nrc-fane.ng. Passengers are encouraged to secure their tickets early through the portal or at designated stations. Operations will commence with seven coaches, comprising, six standard class and one business class, while the time table is also expected to be released on Monday.              NRC MD Dr. Kayode Opeifa. NRC Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa has assured the traveling public of the Corporation's renewed commitment to safe, reliable and efficient rail services. 

Train Driver bags 18 Months jail sentence for N6.9m Theft.

B y Afolabi Oyekunle. The Special offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced one Christopher Ekene Ofielu, a driver with the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, to 18 months imprisonment for N6.9m theft.  The 39-year-old convict was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and possession to the tune of N6,995,944( Six Million Nine Hundred and Ninety Five Thousand, Nine Hundred and Forty Four Naira only) One of the counts reads: “That you, Christopher Ekene Ofielu, on or about October 2023, Lagos, within this honourable court, used your Habaripay Squad account  created for criminal activity and transferred the sum of N6,995,944 into your Access Bank account 14864072356, property of HabariPay Ltd.” He pleaded “guilty” to the charges when they were read to him In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, Abubakar Dambuwa, called on Adams Adze, an investigator with the EFCC, to review the facts of the case. In his review, Adze said t...

OPPO Unveils the A6 Pro at Star-Studded Launch in Lagos

By Afolabi Oyekunle. Smartphone giant OPPO officially unveiled its latest innovation, the OPPO A6 Pro, at an exclusive launch event held at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, marking another milestone in the brand’s commitment to delivering power, durability, and sleek design to Nigerian consumers. The highly anticipated launch drew tech enthusiasts, media personalities, and OPPO brand partners, who gathered to experience firsthand the A6 Pro’s standout features — a massive 7,000mAh ultra-large battery, 80W SUPERVOOC™️ Flash Charge, and military-grade durability that redefine longevity and resilience in a mid-range device. Speaking at the event, Caroline Wang, Product Marketing Manager at OPPO, described the new release as a breakthrough for the A-series lineup. “The OPPO A6 Pro Series represents the most advanced evolution of the A-series yet, setting new standards in design, display, camera, and overall performance. It delivers flagship-grade innovation and power to a wider range of users at...

Vandalism of Railway Property: NRC Police Command arrests Alleged Kingpin in Kaduna, Recovers Trailer Loaded with Railway Materials in Plateau

By Afolabi Oyekunle. The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Police Command has arrested one Musa Abdullahi, (also known as Major), aged 32, a notorious receiver and kingpin of vandalized railway materials in Kaduna. The arrest according to the Corporation was a major breakthrough in the Corporation’s campaign against the vandalisation and theft of railway materials, just as it intercepted a trailer loaded with railway components in Plateau State. The suspect, who was apprehended around Rigasa, in Kaduna confessed to have  purchased the stolen electrical cables belonging to the NRC at the rate of ₦90,000 from vandals.  His arrest followed intelligence reports on the vandalism of electrical installations along the Mando–Rigasa corridor on Tuesday, 14th October 2025. Investigation is ongoing, and the case will be charged to court upon conclusion. In Plateau State, operatives of the Nigeria Police, Railway Command, intercepted a trailer conveying large quantities of railway materi...

Governor Adeleke decorated with Most Outstanding Governor of the year.

By Afolabi Oyekunle. Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has been decorated with the Most Outstanding Governor of the year, for his numerous achievements and in particular concern for the workers in the state,  rising to their demands and being workers friendly.                  Governor Adeleke The Award was given to him by the Labour Writers Association of Nigeria (LAWAN) during the Association   annual symposium on Friday, October 10, 2025, at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Ibadan, Oyo state.  Governor Adeleke expressed gratitude for the recognition, saying it symbolised a celebration of Osun’s workforce and their unwavering resilience. Governor  Ademola Adeleke, dedicated the award to the workers and pensioners of Osun State, describing them as the backbone of his administration’s success, and reaffirm his government commitment to workers welfare. “This award is not just a recognition of my pe...

PenCom DG Calls for Stakeholders’ Collaboration to Secure Workers’ Future in the Era of Artificial Intelligence

By Afolabi Oyekunle. The Director-General of the National Pension Commission (PenCom), Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, has called on all stakeholders to rethink policies, processes, and protections for workers in the modern economy amid the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Oloworaran made the call during the 2025 Conference of the Labour Writers Association of Nigeria (LAWAN), themed “Future of Work in the Era of Artificial Intelligence: A Wake-Up Call for Stakeholders,” held at the Golden Tulip Conference Hall, Jericho, Ibadan. Delivering her goodwill message, the PenCom DG described the conference theme as both “timely and vital,” emphasizing that the evolving world of work, driven by AI and digital transformation, demands renewed collaboration among government, labour, and industry players. Highlighting PenCom’s commitment to digital innovation, Oloworaran said the Commission’s Pension Revolution 2.0 reform agenda is strategically designed to leverage technology a...

Railway Assets protection need more attention from Security Outfits.... Transportation Correspondents.

By Afolabi Oyekunle. The Transportation Correspondents Association of Nigeria (TCAN) has called on all security agencies to properly secure railway assets scattered across the country from incessant vandalisation. In a statement released at the weekend by the Chairman of TCAN, Mr. Tola Adenubi, the group stated that unchecked vandalisation of railway assets is eroding the gains made in the last few years under the Federal Government's Railway Modernisation projects. TCAN also commended the officers and men of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Railway Command for promptly apprehending two vandals, Ibrahim Abdullahi (22 years old) of Hayi, Rigasa; and Sani Ibrahim (24 years old) of Layi Turaki, Rigasa who were recently arrested in Kaduna for vandalising and selling railway electrical and signalling assets equipment at the Rigasa Train Station area. Decrying the Incessant cases of vandalisation of railway assets, TCAN stated that buyers of stolen railway assets, including m...

Upsurge in Vandalisation of Rail Electrical and Signalling Equipment; worrisome to NRC ; Two Vandals arrested in Kaduna

By Afolabi Oyekunle. The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has decried the increasing cases of vandalisation of its electrical and signalling installations across the country, describing the trend as a major threat to safe and efficient train operations.  According to a press release by Callistus Unyimadu,  Chief Public Relations Officer of the Corporation,  two suspects were recently arrested in Kaduna for vandalising its equipment at the Rigasa Train Station area. The suspects — Ibrahim Abdullahi (22 years old) of Hayi, Rigasa and Sani Ibrahim (24 years old) of Layi Turaki, Rigasa — were apprehended by operatives of the Nigeria Police, Railway Command attached to the Abuja–Kaduna Train Service (AKTS).  The arrest followed the discovery on Friday, 10th October 2025, at about 12:30 p.m., that a cable wire had been cut and removed from one of NRC’s cranes stationed within the Rigasa facility.  Acting swiftly on intelligence, the patrol team led by ASP Abdullahi ...

LSG sets to Launch the Omi Eko Project at Five Cowries Terminal

By Afolabi Oyekunle. The Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), is set to officially launch the Omi Eko Project on Friday, 17th October 2025, at the iconic Five Cowries Terminal, Falomo.  This event marks a pivotal milestone in the state’s unwavering commitment to sustainable development, cutting-edge water transportation, and smart city innovation.                      LSG Governor  The launch is expected to attract distinguished government officials, development partners, key stakeholders, community leaders, and the press to witness the debut of this transformative initiative. Scheduled to start at 10:00 AM, the event will feature appearances by dignitaries, compelling keynote speeches, a virtual overview of the Omi Eko Project, and the ceremonial unveiling by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu. LASWA GM Oluwadamilola Emmanuel. The Omi Eko Project is...

Signals Equipment vandalised by Hoodlums between Agege and Agbado train Stations.

By Afolabi Oyekunle. NRC Condemns Vandalism of Signalling Equipment Between Agege and Agbado Stations The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has reported another case of vandalism on the Lagos-lbadan Standard Gauge corridor between Agege and Agbado Stations, as the Corporation condemns the action. According to a press release by  Callistus Unyimadu   Chief Public Relations Officer,  unknown persons had tampered with vital signalling components along the corridor.   The vandalized items include  signal machine cap protectors and  connection cables on Switch Point Machine No. 2.  NRC said  the damage was discovered during a routine inspection on Monday, 6th October 2025. The Corporation condemned these acts of sabotage against national infrastructure, stressing that such actions not only disrupt smooth train operations but also pose serious safety risks to both passengers and railway staff.          ...

NRC MD assures of his commitment to turn around for good the fortunes of the Corporation.

By Afolabi Oyekunle. The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa has reiterated his commitment to turning around the fortunes of the Corporation by prioritizing the completion of ongoing projects He also assured of his desire to the rehabilitation of all serviceable rolling stocks, expanding services, improving customer experience and modernization of operations and its efficiency particularly along the AKTS corridor.  He made the Commitment as he rode with Passengers at the official resumption of   The Abuja–Kaduna Train Service (AKTS)  on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, following weeks of intensive inspections, safety checks, and staff training carried out by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).  His presence was to personally witness resumption ride and help rebuild public confidence in the service.         .NRC MD. Dr. Kayode Opeifa. He further disclosed that a dedicated Customer...

Two Books, One Vision: Oluwatosin Akinrinde’s New Literary Releases Illuminate Nigeria’s Struggles and Hopes.

By  Afolabi Oyekunle. A powerful emerging voice within the Nigerian literary space, Oluwatosin Akinrinde, is set to captivate readers with the simultaneous launch of two highly anticipated literary collections – Deathbed and Other Poems and Out-of-school Children and Other Stories.  These books, published by the Academic Publishing Centre, University of Lagos (UNILAG), offer an unflinching examination of the complex socio-political landscape of modern-day Nigeria. These literary publications mark a significant moment for Nigerian literature, as they directly confront the nation's most pressing challenges, ranging from systemic poverty, insecurity, poor educational standards, mental health struggles, and the yearning for a better life abroad.               Oluwatosin Akinrinde Out-of-school Children and Other Stories is a tapestry of human experiences woven through deeply evocative narratives.  The titular story follows an asp...