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NRC suspends Warri-Itakpe service after train derails

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The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has suspended the Warri-Itakpe rail service after a train derailed on Thursday.

The train was travelling from Itakpe in Kogi to Ujevwu in Delta when the accident occurred at about 7.15pm.

Ediri Oyibo, a digital strategist who was on board when the accident happened, said the train wobbled along its track at several locations during the journey.

“As a frequent user of the train service, riding on the train from Ujevwu to Itakpe on Wednesday, 3rd of July 2024, I practically had my heart between my teeth when the train wobbled along its track at several locations; one, on top of a valley crossing,” he said.

“Riding on the train, something told me the Warri-Itakpe train service is a disaster waiting to happen. A derailment on top of a valley crossing will spell doom.

“Passengers on the trip reported how the train had earlier overshot a station it was supposed to stop due to brake failure.”

Taribio Walson-Oweifawari, a broadcast journalist who was also on the train, said the coach before hers almost fell off a high point when the train derailed.

“My coach is VIP and it is Coach 1. The coach immediately after ours was Coach 2 and it derailed. Hai!!! I just kept shouting Jesus when it looked like ours was going to tumble. Just a little bit more, that coach would have fallen off the high point, and taking our coach with it,” she wrote in a Facebook post.

On Friday morning, the railway corporation announced the suspension of train operations on the route.

“Due to an unexpected fault, train operations are suspended for today. We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding,” the NRC said.

Last year, NRC suspended operations on the Warri-Itakpe rail service after a train derailed at kilometre 30, Ajaokuta-Itakpe section of the track.

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Truck falls off Lagos bridge, kills female biker

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A female biker was killed on Monday when a truck fell off a bridge in Lagos and landed on her motorcycle.

Sola Giwa, special adviser on transportation to Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, said the driver lost control while steering the truck at full pelt.

The truck then fell on the female biker as it descended the Iganmu bridge.

Giwa said the incident occurred at 6:15am on Monday at Sifax, inward Iganmu bridge, adding that the truck driver fled the scene after the fatal incident.

“Early this morning, operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and other emergency responders recovered the body of a female biker trapped under a loaded containerized truck in Lagos,” the statement reads.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the truck driver, who was speeding, lost control and caused the truck to fall on the female biker.

“Immediately after the incident, LASTMA personnel called in other emergency responders, including the LASEMA Response Unit (LRU), for a rescue operation.”

The special adviser said the body of the deceased has been evacuated while the containerised truck has also been evacuated for ease of traffic.

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Abuja man attempts suicide, climbs 120metres broadcast mast

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A man who gave his name as Shaibu Alhaji Yusuf on Monday caused a stir in Abuja when he climbed a 120-metre-long broadcast mast at the premises of the Abuja Broadcasting Service, owners of Aso Radio and Television.

The broadcast station which is owned by the Federal Capital Territory Administration FCTA is located on Katampe Hill, at a point dubbed the geographic centre of Nigeria, along the Kubwa Expressway.

The man who for several minutes refused to come down despite entreaties by emergency responders, said he is an indigene of Borno state.

He said he was not happy with the general state of hopelessness in the country, especially hunger and insecurity.

He later came down after a pep talk by the Acting General Manager of the FCT Emergency Management Department FEMD, Mrs Florence Wenegieme.

He was however interested taken into custody by men of the Nigeria Police Force.

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Court orders Sadiya Umar Farouq to account for N729bn poverty alleviation fund

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A federal high court in Lagos has ordered Sadiya Umar Farouq, former minister of humanitarian affairs, to account for payments of N729 billion to 24.3 million vulnerable Nigerians.

Umar Farouq was minister from 2019 to 2023 in the administration of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari.

In a judgment delivered by Deinde Dipeolu on June 27, Farouq was ordered to provide the list and details of the beneficiaries who received the payments, the number of states covered and the payments per state.

The ruling followed a freedom of information request from the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

In the certified true copy of the judgment provided by Kolawole Oluwadare, deputy director of SERAP, the judge said:

“I therefore grant an order of mandamus directing and compelling the Respondent to provide the following information to the Applicant:

“Details of the proposed payments of N729 Billion to 24.3 million Nigerians for six months, including mechanisms and logistics put in place for the payments and list of beneficiaries.

“Details of how the proposed beneficiaries have been selected, the number of states covered and the projected payments per state.

“State whether the payments will be made in cash, through Bank Verification Numbers or other means.

“Explain the rationale for paying N5,000 to 24.3 million poor Nigerians, which translate to five percent of Nigeria’s budget of N13.6 trillion for 2021.”

In December, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invited the former minister over the alleged laundering of N37 billion by one James Okwete, a contractor who worked with the ministry.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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