NEWS
Emulate Lagos, Minister Tells Governors as Tinubu Inaugurates Rail Project
The Minister of Transport, Mr Sa’id Alkali, has urged other states to emulate Lagos State, saying the success of its Red Line rail project exemplified collaboration between the federal and state governments.
Alkali said that collaborative efforts between the Federal and State Governments enhances the wellbeing of the nation and its economy.
He said this at the official commissioning of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line on Thursday by President Bola Tinubu.
The transport minister noted that the historic moment being celebrated reflected the collaborative efforts of the Lagos State and the federal, which had led to the commissioning of the Red Line project.
Hey added that the ministry would work together with some state governors to achieve railway connection to enable choice of transportation for passengers, urging the governors to emulate Lagos State.
“I assure you that the Federal Ministry of Transportation is committed to providing support and expertise to consolidate this laudable achievement.
“Today’s commissioning is a singular promise in achieving this milestone in our administration. This will lead to high connectivity, improve livelihood, boost trade and improve visibility.
“The Federal Ministry of Transportation will support the realisation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President,” he said.
The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Cui Jianchun, commended Nigeria for giving them the opportunity to complete the Blue Line project.
Jianchun said the project would contribute immensely to Nigeria’s development.
“Mr President, today in China we celebrate an auspicious day which is a symbol of good things, and this shows that the commencement of the Red line project being today will be more successful.
“I also congratulate Mr President for making the 20-year project completed and we also want to use this opportunity to improve more on infrastructure and technology.
” There is need to improve more on security which will improve the country’s economic Gross Domestic Product generation,” he said.
The Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, said that the commissioning of the project would not have been possible without President Tinubu’s vision during his tenure as governor of Lagos with the establishment of the Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).
Hamzat pointed out that on Jan. 24, 2023, the Lagos State Government commissioned the Blue line which had five stations from Marina to Mile 2, now moving over 250,000 passengers on daily basis.
“The two Lagos rails completion is the first of its kind in West and Central Africa and the commissioning of the Red Line shows our adminstration’s commitment to uphold the electoral policies.
“We pledge our total commitment to transport infrastructure of Lagos State,” Hamzat said.
Reports says that the Red Line project is a 37km rail route from Agbado to Marina with stations at Agbado, Iju, Agege, Ikeja, Oshodi, Mushing, Yaba, Oyingbo, Iddo, Ebute Ero and Marina.
As agreed by the Federal Govemment and LASG, the Red Line project is sharing the NRC rail track from Agbado to Ebute Metta Junction (EBJ) and then carry-on across the Lagoon to Marina via Iddo, with the Marina station sharing the hub with the Blue Line station integrated with other transport modes.
The Red Line is using the International Standard Gauge (1435mm) and is expected to carry 750,000 passengers daily at inception and 1,100,000 when fully operational.
The Red Line LRMT project is entirely funded by the LASG through a development loan syndication from domestic commercial banks.(NAN)
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Chairman, Senate Services, Sen. Steve Karimi has expressed concern over the spiraling insecurity in the country, which has threatened and diminishes the “good work” done by the administration of President Bola Tinubu in the last two years.
Karimi in an interview with DAILY ASSET cited the resurgence of killings across the Federation, especially in states like Benue, Plateau, Kogi, banditry in the North-West and the renewed attacks by Boko Haram in the North-East, saying they must be investigated immediately. “This rise in insecurity is all over the country; on all sides, even in the North-East, there is the resurgence of Boko Haram; at some point, everything became calm, but now they are coming back.“Check other parts of the country, there is kidnapping now on the rise again, whether in the South-West, South-South or South-East; it is happening all over the place.“Almost on a daily basis, there is one reported incident of banditry or another in the North-West.“I consider this resurgence an attempt by desperate groups and individuals to discredit the good work this government of President Bola Tinubu has done in the last two years, especially now that talks about 2027 elections have started”, Sen. Karimi said in a statement in Abuja.Karimi, who represents Kogi-West Senatorial District, commended security agencies for the sacrifices they had made so far in service to their fatherland to guarantee the safety of lives and property across the states.However, the lawmaker called on heads of the agencies to confront the new challenge squarely by thoroughly investigating the factors responsible for the “regrettable development” and proffer urgent responses.“This government worked so hard over the last two years to contain the porous security situation it inherited, including the scaling up of the defence and security budget.“At the National Assembly, there has been collaboration to ensure that the targets of the government are met through the existing Legislative-Executive harmony, which is to guarantee safety for all Nigerians.“This was achieved at some point. Unfortunately, there is this sudden resurgence, which is threatening to spoil the President’s records. I suspect sabotage that calls for immediate investigation”, Karimi added.The senator’s intervention came amid plans by the Senate to convene a National Security Summit as an expression of further legislative response to the renewed security challenges.
From Jude Dangwam, Jos
The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Hon. Olatunbosun Tijani has disclosed that the federal government is set to convert the famous Joseph Gomwalk House Jos into a national outsourcing job hub in the country.Tijani during his inspection visit in Jos the Plateau State capital said installation of fibre cables and renovation works is expected to be completed in six months to come, adding that the centre is going to provide proper technical training for young people in the North Central region of Nigeria.
In his words, “As you know, we’re an extremely youthful country about 70% of our population is under the age of 30. For us, it’s a priority to ensure that we provide meaningful job opportunities for these young people.”While we’ve done extremely well with our 3 Million Technical Talent program, which focuses on training 3 million young people across the country, it’s also important that we find avenues to help them secure jobs. That’s why we’re in conversation with the governor of Plateau State, it’s one of the states we’re focusing on to see how we can accelerate the introduction of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) jobs here.”Companies all over the world are looking to outsource job opportunities. Historically, they’ve done this with countries like India. But Nigeria actually has an advantage, we speak better English and we’re well-positioned to handle many of these jobs. That’s the direction we’re heading in,” he explainedTijani noted thus, “the goal of today’s visit is to assess the possibility of converting this historic building, the Standard Building, into one of the headquarters for BPO in the country. Our aim is to work with the state government to refurbish the building and then engage with companies that hire young people for BPO work.”Let me be clear, Plateau is not the only state we’re focusing on, we’re implementing this in a number of states. The federal government’s goal is to ensure that our programs reach everyone, everywhere.”Plateau State is unique, it stands out because education here is strong, the people are hardworking, and they speak high-quality English, an essential requirement for BPO jobs. Importantly, the governor is also forward-thinking. He’s been actively engaging with us to make this a reality in Plateau State, and we appreciate that kind of leadership.” He statedThe Minister commended the landmark development recorded in the state within the shortest possible time. “The structures on the Plateau under the Time administration are impressive. The governor is clearly committed to restoring Plateau’s glory, and that’s exactly what we need. This state has so much to contribute to national development.The Commissioner for information and communication Rt. Hon. Joyce Ramnap who accompanied the Minister on the inspection visit noted that the Plateau state government will continue to create an enabling environment for remarkable investment as they work closely with the federal government in the interest of Plateau people and the country at large.
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
The Director General of the Prosperity Cup, Ono Akpe has declared that the Bayelsa State Governor’s Football Tournament is achieving set results.Akpe made the declaration while speaking to journalists shortly after the Yenagoa Local Government final encounter between Bayelsa United Feeders and Eternal Grace Ministries (EGM) FC.
He said he is very excited that within the space of seven years the tournament has grown so big and that some players scouted from the competition are now plying their trade within and outside the country, pointing out that was the whole essence of the Prosperity Cup, which is unarguably the biggest grassroots football tournament in the country. According to the DG, “I am excited that a product of the 2023 edition of the Prosperity Cup, Precious Benjamin, who plays for Hoffenheim in Germany, is presently part of the national Under-20 football team that won bronze in the just-concluded AFCON U-20 Championship in faraway Morocco.”We are particularly excited that our players are getting the recognition they deserve. That is the whole essence of the Prosperity Cup. Our dream is that the tournament will serve as a springboard for our youths to play for big Nigerian club sides just as some will ply their trade abroad. We are fulfilling that dream and hopefully we will do more at the end of the tournament. I am super excited that our efforts are yielding dividends”.No fewer than six Prosperity Cup products are currently with Bayelsa United. A sizable number are scattered across club sides in Nigeria while plying their trade abroad. The women are not left out as Harmony John who played for the grassroots club; Golden Sun Sports Club is now a proud member of the Bayelsa Queens squad.Speaking of the quality of play in the Yenagoa finals, in which EGM defeated Bayelsa United Feeders by two goals to one, Akpe said “We are very thrilled, it was a very technical game, you could see both teams are young, youthful and very vibrant, and were eager to take the prize. We are impressed because we are seeing quality football at every stage of the competition”.Giving an insight into what spectators should expect in the Prosperity Cup final, Akpe said “it would be explosive and would be as good as any football competition final, even the F.A. Cup final. We are having both the male and female finals. There is going to be a lot of excitement and a lot of entertainment. It is going to be a potpourri of music, culture and football.The Director General also said “In furtherance of our desire to have more of our players going out, His Excellency, Governor Douye Diri has approved the invitation of 10 coaches from across the country, including the Director of the Technical Department of the NFF, Austine Eguavoen. They will be in Yenagoa one full week before the final. They will be coming to watch the quarter finals, semifinals and the grand finale. It is our expectation that more Bayelsa youths will be picked up by club sides across the country”.The grand finale of the Prosperity Cup has been scheduled to be held on Saturday, May 31.
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