Metro
Attack on Abuja-Kaduna Passenger-Train an Act of Terrorism – Railway Workers
Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) workers have condemned the Oct. 20 attack on the Abuja-Kaduna train, describing it as an act of terrorism.
The workers, under the aegis of Nigeria Union of Railway Workers (NURW) and Senior Staff Association, NRC branch, expressed their concerns at a joint news conference, held on Thursday in Lagos.
NURW President, Mr Innocent Ajiji and President, SSA, NRC branch, Mr Aliyu Mainasara, who addressed the news conference, said that the incident was premeditated.
Suspected bandits had, on Oct. 20, attacked the Abuja-Kaduna train, forcing it to stop.
“This premeditated terrorist attack on our Abuja-Kaduna passenger-train, which was the first of its kind in Nigeria, is a terrorist attack on our collective sensibilities and conscience as a nation.
“It is also a brazen attack against humanity, which every Nigerian must rise against and condemn,” the workers said.
They also expressed worries over the safety mantra of the rail transport system in Nigeria.
“This is why the thematic preoccupation of our statement and position on this unfortunate incident is to ask some key questions.
“Was there any intelligence available to the relevant quarters and authorities about the attack on the Nigerian Railway train before it happened?
“If there was no intelligence, does that mean that the entire Nigeria’s security architecture were on holiday?
“If there was some intelligence available before the attack happened, what did the relevant agencies do with it?” they queried.
The union leaders urged the Federal Government and security agencies to come up with more result-achieving terrorist threat mitigation strategies that would practically make the recurrence of such attack on the train a huge impossibility.
They also appealed that the outlook of the security agencies should be an aggressive, very proactive, comprehensive, can-do and must-do type of attitude.
“Further to the foregoing, there must be close working relationships among all our security agencies so as to really make the trains the safest means of transportation in Nigeria and restore the commuting public’s confidence.
“The security situation of the country should be the basis for development of technology that is capable of enhancing our present safety efforts and detecting/sensing explosions, dielectric objects and any security threat at a distance.
“Nothing should be too expensive or sophisticated to achieve in the quest of the government to guarantee transit safety of passengers on the trains and the hard-earned railway facilities,” they said.
The union leaders also expressed concern that in spite of the risk being faced by workers and their exposure to hazards, they had yet to be insured.
The leaders appealed to government to strengthen the workers’ social benefits by insuring the workers on the train.
“We share with you today the general reaction of our members, which is that of regret and fear of the unknown.
“None of the driving crew, train ticket checkers, civil engineering and mechanical engineering workers and all other workers of the corporation, who are exposed to hazards in their various lines of duties, is insured,” they said.
The labour leaders called for the review of NRC workers’ salaries, stressing that it was through this that they could be further motivated to be more productive. (NAN)
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has said that the party is handling the grievances of the aggrieved governorship candidates in Oyo State as a family matter.
Yilwatda stated this on Wednesday in Ibadan during a meeting with party stakeholders, noting that disagreements among members are normal in politics.
He affirmed that members have expressed readiness to work together to ensure victory in 2027, emphasising that the reconciliation process is an ongoing effort rather than a one-day affair.
He stressed that the national leadership remains committed to bringing all aggrieved members on board ahead of the next general elections.
Addressing the recent Osun State governorship election, Yilwatda insisted the outcome was not a failure for the APC.
He noted that despite the state government deploying its full machinery, the APC put up a strong fight and conducted itself with maturity.
According to him, the peaceful conduct of the election and eventual commendation from the opposition demonstrated the party’s high level of sportsmanship.
He added that Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, acknowledged this sportsmanship and even declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
When asked if the APC had officially accepted the Osun election outcome, Yilwatda explained that no official position has been taken yet, as any final decision requires a formal review involving the National Working Committee and the candidate.
The Chairman of the APC Reconciliation Committee in Oyo State, Senator Olufemi Lanleyin, emphasised that the party must go into the 2027 elections united in order to reclaim power in the state.
Lanleyin acknowledged that while some members were disappointed with the primary outcomes, the party retains the strength, will, and capacity to unite.
He said that the committee is meeting with aggrieved aspirants to present their grievances to the national leadership for resolution.
On the lesson from Osun, Lanleyin noted that unity determines electoral success, promising that the committee will continue its work until Election Day.
He expressed absolute confidence that the APC will sweep Oyo State in 2027, winning the presidency, governorship, three senatorial seats, 14 federal constituencies, and 32 House of Assembly seats.
He appealed to leaders and stakeholders to embrace unity because members do not want to remain out of government for another day.
He added that the party would not take anything for granted and would continue the reconciliation process until Election Day.
The Federal Government has urged Nigerians to dial 112 during emergencies requiring urgent medical assistance, while releasing state emergency call centre numbers.
The National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS), in an update on Wednesday, said 112 serves as a central contact for emergency medical assistance.
It said several states also had dedicated emergency call centre numbers to support faster responses to medical emergencies.
According to NEMSAS, the emergency response system provides fast response, professional care and life-saving services, with first responders available 24 hours daily.
The agency released emergency call centre numbers covering 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with most states using 112 alongside dedicated numbers.
For Abia, the listed emergency numbers are 112 and 08000000800, while Adamawa residents can call 112, 1755 or 07011111443.
Akwa Ibom residents can call 112, 08000022322 or 08000022422, while Anambra residents can use 112, 5111, 0800 220 0008 or 112.
For Bauchi, the listed numbers are 112 and 07038636433, while Bayelsa residents can call 112 or 0800 220 0223.
NEMSAS listed Benue’s emergency call centre as “Not Operational,” while Borno residents can call 112 or 08000000033.
Cross River has 112 as its listed emergency number, while Delta residents can call 112, 07041008130 or 07041008131.
For Ebonyi, the listed numbers are 112, 08086446891 and 08086445736, while Edo residents can call 112, 739 or 09037999871.
Ekiti residents can call 112, 08000606606, 08111111-22, -33, -44 or -55, while Enugu residents can use 112, 09074996090 or 07066466429.
Gombe residents can call 112 or 07033825646, while NEMSAS listed Imo’s emergency call centre as “Not Operational.”
Jigawa has 112 as its listed emergency number, while Kaduna residents can call 112 or 08064111599.
For Kano, the listed numbers are 112, 09019999920 and 09049999914, while Katsina and Kebbi each have 112 listed.
Kogi also has 112 as its listed emergency number, while Kwara residents can call 112, 09062010001 or 09062010002.
Lagos residents can call 112 or 767, while Nasarawa residents can use 112 or 08144911269 for emergency assistance.
For Niger, the listed numbers are 112, 0802 242 2953 and 0815 557 7513, while Osun residents can call 112, 08111110532 or 08111110561.
Ogun residents can call 112 or 08112000033, while Ondo residents can use 112 or 08055300300.
For Oyo, the listed emergency numbers are 112 and 615, while Plateau residents can call 112 or 09136982496.
Rivers residents can call 112, 09040222281, 09040222283 or 09040222285, while Sokoto residents can use 112, 07045963318 or 07071765080.
For Taraba, the listed numbers are 112, 07041122777 and 07041100777, while Yobe residents can call 112, 09169981792 or 08000090009.
Zamfara has 112 as its listed emergency number, while residents of the FCT can call 112, 09157892931 or 09157892932.
NEMSAS advised members of the public to save the emergency numbers and use them whenever urgent medical assistance was required.
The agency said its first responders were ready to provide quick response and professional care to help save lives during emergencies.
It urged Nigerians to dial 112 during emergencies, describing the service as available 24 hours daily, seven days weekly.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday awarded N20 million each to LASU’s best graduating students for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 sessions.
Sanwo-Olu announced the awards during Lagos State University’s 29th and 30th combined convocation ceremonies at the Buba Marwa Auditorium, Ojo.
Ayilara Olawale, from the Department of Project Management, emerged overall best graduating student for 2024-2025.
Olawale recorded an impressive Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.96 to emerge top of the graduating cohort.
Similarly, Adebanjo Samuel, from the Department of Aerospace Engineering, emerged overall best graduating student for 2025-2026.
Adebanjo achieved a CGPA of 4.97, earning recognition as the university’s overall best graduating student for the academic session.
Sanwo-Olu congratulated the 20,604 graduands from both academic sessions, describing the cohort as the largest graduating class in LASU’s history.
He noted that the graduands included 494 First Class students, attributing their achievements to their parents, guardians, sponsors and lecturers.
“Your achievements reflect the commitment of your parents, guardians, sponsors and lecturers who supported you throughout your academic journey,” he said.
The governor also congratulated 3,383 postgraduate graduands, including Doctor of Philosophy graduates, urging them to expand knowledge and mentor younger scholars.
He said LASU had recorded remarkable growth since its establishment 43 years ago, describing the institution as a product of Lateef Jakande’s vision.
Sanwo-Olu said LASU had emerged as Nigeria’s most subscribed university for two consecutive years, attracting more than 84,000 first-choice applications.
He added that Times Higher Education ranked LASU Nigeria’s best state university and fourth-best university overall.
According to him, LASU was also rated West Africa’s best university for four consecutive years, from 2022 to 2025.
He noted that the recognition came through the UI GreenMetric World University Ranking, further demonstrating the university’s growing international profile.
Sanwo-Olu said LASU’s selection as South-West host of the N3 billion TETFund Centre for Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Cyber Sciences reinforced its rising profile.
The governor said his administration prioritised education and technology under the THEMES Plus agenda because both remained central to Lagos’ development.
He listed the Babajide Sanwo-Olu Library Complex, student union building, accommodation facilities, lecture theatres and other infrastructure among achievements recorded at LASU.
Describing the ceremony as his final convocation as Visitor, Sanwo-Olu urged graduands to represent Lagos and Nigeria with competence, character and courage.
“Use your education to serve humanity. Degrees open doors, but service builds lasting legacies,” the governor told the graduands.
He congratulated LASU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, on her final convocation and commended her contributions during her five-year tenure.
Sanwo-Olu said Olatunji-Bello had elevated LASU’s profile, adding that history would remember her contributions to the institution’s development.
He also congratulated LASU Chancellor, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, who presided over his first convocation after recently obtaining a Doctor of Business Administration degree.
Olatunji-Bello said LASU was graduating 20,604 students across diploma, first-degree and higher-degree programmes from the two academic sessions.
She described the ceremony as her fifth and final convocation as vice-chancellor and expressed gratitude to Sanwo-Olu for supporting her administration.
The vice-chancellor said LASU successfully elevated its standing among Nigerian and African universities despite challenges encountered during her five-year tenure.
The university conferred honorary doctorate degrees on Akin Kekere-Ekun, Bola Adesola and Aliko Dangote for contributions to national development, scholarship, business and humanity.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of LASU Governing Council, Babatunde Ogala, said the university would sustain partnerships, research and programmes aligned with Lagos’ strategic position.
He specifically highlighted aviation and maritime studies as areas requiring continued development because of their importance to Lagos’ economy and future.
Ogala announced a strategic partnership between LASU and the University of Illinois Chicago to promote collaboration among students, lecturers and researchers.
He urged the graduands to regard their degrees as a call to deeper intellectual engagement and greater responsibility to society.
The combined convocation marked a significant milestone for Sanwo-Olu and Olatunji-Bello as they prepare to leave their respective positions as Visitor and Vice-Chancellor, respectively.
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