The living condition of about three million people living in Zhipe community in Karu Local Area Council of Nasarawa State is pathetic.

Worried by the continued traffic gridlock in and around Apapa area due to the activities of tanker drivers and operators of articulated vehicles, Lagos State Government has announced plans to enforce the necessary measures towards ensuring compliance with the state Road Traffic Law.2014.

By Bose Adelaja On Saturday, June 28. Superior Evangelist Isaiah Adebola and his wife Deborah had already gone to bed after the day’s itinerary when suddenly they heard a knock at the door of their makeshift apartment located within their temporary church premises. The cleric who was just recovering from an undisclosed ailment managed to […]

As part of the on-going campaign by Lekki Concession Company, LCC to promote road safety and positively influence road user habits, the company recently completed the second edition of training and re-certification for 100 drivers in Lagos State.

THE law maker who represented Ohaukwu North constituency at the Ebonyi State House of Assembly between 2007 and 2011, Pastor Vincent Awoke, weekend raised alarm that the state government had encroached on his plots of land situated at Egu-Effium NSF Ezzamgbo in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the State.

Barely six years, after the Lagos State Government, through its regulatory agency, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, introduced the Bus Rapid Transit System, BRT, in collaboration with some operators, public outcry has continued to greet the rising catalog of accidents involving the BRT buses, which have claimed several lives, leaving most victims and passengers on board with various degrees of injuries.

THE belief in some quarters is that the failure of government at all levels at providing the basic needs of Nigerians has engendered a wide gap between leadership and followership in Nigeria.

From available information, life has become a tale of hopelessness, indeed one big hell, for many Nigerians who left their country to seek for greener pastures abroad.

OLA AJAYI, IBADAN The fire that gutted some parts of Bodija International market in Ibadan understandably left most traders in the big market very devastated. For them, it was a fire disaster too many. They were done with the day’s sales and had gone home only to have an emergency call that their shops were […]

By Kingsley Adegboye & Olasunkanmi Akoni Lagos residents had thought that the days of  refuse heaps on the streets of Lagos metropolis were over. What gave rise to this optimism was the various initiatives introduced by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, to address the problem. These included the incorporation of the Private Sector […]

THE commissioning of two Diesel Multiple Units, DMUs and six 68-seater passenger coaches, all air-conditioned, acquired by the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) from China, last month has generated mixed reactions from stakeholders. The coaches targeted at the elites and middle class were commissioned by President Goodluck Jonathan
The commissioning apparently caused the NRC to increase fares payable for train rides from N150 to N230 for general ride, while First Class ride was increased from N500 to N750. This decision caused travelers to disrupt activities of the NRC on the day the new fares were to become effective as passengers at Itoki, Opo Suuru, Ijoko, Alagbado train stations protested against the hike by burning tyres on the rail tracks.
While the protesters applauded the upgrade of the new passenger coaches they were totally against any increment.
Globally, rail transportation is considered the cheapest and arguably the safest means of transport.
Also, it’s convenience explains why it enjoys patronage from different classes of people.
NRC’s Managing Director, Mr. Adeseyi Sijuwade, said the new railway vehicles meant to be deployed for mass transit train services, are expected to increase the number of passengers moved by railway in Lagos from the current 16,000 to 22,000 daily.
Sijuwade added that the six air-conditioned coaches, each with 68 passengers capacity would be deployed as first class coaches on long distance intercity train services, starting with Lagos to Kano service.

Heavy locomotives

“These DMUs will free up a number of our heavy locomotives currently being used for passenger services, which can then be redeployed to pull freight wagons. This configuration eliminates shunting at terminal stations, thereby reducing delays and journey time,’’ he stated.
For Olanrewaju Abisoye who resides in Alagbado, Lagos ; “When the government wants more patronage, it has to take note of the lower class. There is no need for us to deceive ourselves, poverty in this country is alarming.
“Majority of the people are poor. We cannot hide it. If the price of boarding a train is exorbitant, the few rich people being targeted will never increase general patronage.’’
Okwudili Nzube lives in Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, on Lagos Island. According to him; “Even if you have not traveled outside Nigeria, we all watch the television and we are connected through the internet to know that there is always a price tag on goods and services.
“The NRC has brought those state-of-the-art coaches for the middle class and the elites so that all of us could use the train. Why then are people protesting? I will pay for what is good whenever I see it.
Uzezi Samuelson lives it Sululere. He said of the development; “The major problem facing Nigeria is maintenance. Right from independence till now. How can you expect us to pay such a high amount for train which is suppose to be at the reach of the common man? This government does not consider several factors which is sad.
Ibrahim Mumuni lives at Mile 2. He said; “I will pay any amount for good services. Why do Nigerians expect government to provide everything for them? Some people feel that the government should even marry wives for them, cloth and breast feed their babies! For any thing to thrive, there has to be financial implications.’’

By KINGSLEY ADEGBOYE & MONSUR OLOWOOPEJO A few months into the current rainy season, Lagos residents are already counting their losses following the havoc wreaked on their buildings and properties by rainstorms across Lagos metropolis. The rains which are often accompanied by stormy winds have destroyed houses and properties belonging to corporate bodies and individauls. […]

One of the prayers rendered to the newly wed is for them to be blessed with children. But some end up spending years before having children to call their own. The years of waiting can be so traumatizing and is usually characterized by anxiety.

The protest by a section of Southern Kaduna indigenes against the peace pact signed by the National President of Southern Kaduna Peoples Union (SOKAPU), Dr. Ephraim Goje, and Fulani herdsmen in April, seems justified.

Saturday June 7, 2014, will remain the happiest day in the life of Mercy James. Reason? That was the day she miraculously gave birth to a baby girl after 14 years of being pregnant.