Nigeria's railways modernization project employs its first female train driver

ICMS, Inc. Reports 

By Tom Okure, Ph.D.

Nigeria started its standard gauge railway modernization projects (SGRMP) with the Abuja-Kaduna rail line.  A standard railway gauge line connecting Nigeria’s federal capital city Abuja with Kaduna its commercial capital enables goods and people between the two cities to move at a faster pace.

In February 2011, the construction of the Abuja-Kaduna rail line started and was finished in December 2014 with financial support of China.

In July 2016, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari officially inaugurated the line for commercial services. China Civil and Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), which is constructing the Lagos Rail Mass Transit System also built the rail line for the Nigerian Federal Government.

It is hoped that Nigeria’s railway modernization projects will help develop a badly infrastructure network in Nigeria and in the process ease dependence on poor roads in the country and help create badly needed jobs for the teaming unemployed in the country. The Abuja-Kaduna rail line modernization projects (SGRMP) in Nigeria employed an estimated 4,000 people and is projected to create over 5,000 additional jobs during its operation.

Standard gauge railway modernization projects in Nigeria

A significant obstacle to Nigeria’s economic development has been the lack of adequate infrastructure. The first of the country’s standard gauge railway modernization projects, accommodating high-speed rail lines is expected to bolster Africa’s largest economy as railways make a comeback after many decades of negligence.

Nigeria has been modernizing its railways and is currently undertaking the modernization of its standard gauge railways.

In 2006 the federal government awarded $8.3bn contract to CCECC for the Lagos-Kano standard gauge modernization project. This was the beginning of the standard gauge modernization project.

The project soon ran into funding difficulties which prevented its implementation. The initiative was then scaled down and re-scoped into different standalone segments. As a consequence, the existing 1,124km narrow-gauge Lagos-Kano line was rehabilitated. As part of the Lagos-Kano standard gauge project, the Abuja-Kaduna segment has been implemented.

First female train driver in Nigeria Ms. Isa Fatima Abiola

The railways modernization project also scored a first by employing the first female train driver in Nigeria Ms. Isa Fatima Abiola. She is a role model and trend setter for young women. In this video, she explains how she got involved with this opportunity and encourages other Nigerian young women to take on the challenge. 

The initiative to modernize Nigeria's railways seeks to exchange the current narrow gauge system with the wider standard gauge system. This will enable high speed trains to operate on the railway network under construction. Nigeria's high speed train will first be operated on the Lagos to Ibadan route.

Railway development in Nigeria began over 100 years ago by the Colonial British government in order to help it move Nigeria’s rich agricultural products from the northern parts of the country to the southern ports in the south on their way to the United Kingdom. With the rise of oil production in Nigeria in the 1950's and the country’s dependence oil revenues for economic development, there was deemphasize by the Nigerian government on the export of agricultural produce in the 1970s. Dependence on oil revenues coupled with government policy neglect and mismanagement caused the Nigeria’s railway system to fall into a state of shabbiness.  

As of 2009, annual passenger rail trips in Nigeria had dropped from its 1963 high level of about 11 million to just over million passengers.

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All rights reserved by Tom Okure, Ph.D CEO of Inter-Continental Mgt. Systems, Inc (or ICMS Inc). ICMS, Inc, is a multifaceted business and management consulting firm with its head office in Albany, New York

Nigeria celebrates 60 years of Independence day and unveils a logo assuring Nigerians of “greater inclusiveness” going forward.

 Today October 1, 2020 is Nigeria’s Independence Day.

By Tom Okure, Ph.D. 

ICMS, Inc Reports 

As part of the independence celebration President Muhammadu Buhari unveiled a 60^th Independence Logo and assured Nigerians of a “greater inclusiveness” going forward.

Nigerian Government Independence Logo

According to the Nigerian government, the 60^th Independence Logo depicts “Together Shall We Be,” and was chosen to forge a more united and cohesive Nigeria. The skillfully crusted diamond of the logo on the Nigerian map symbolizes “our age of treasure, the worth of the Nigerian people, who sparkle to the admiration of the world.……The fair green and the dark green colors respectively remind us of our warmth, welcoming spirit and love, as well as abundant wealth inherent in our human capital and the richness of our land.”

President Buhari shows off the anniversary logo

Nigeria gained independence from British colonial rule on October 1, 1960. At the time, there was great enthusiasm among Nigerians, who believed their future was bright and as a nation they would realize whatever they set their minds to accomplish as an independent nation. In 1963, Nigeria became a federal constitutional republic, with Nnamdi Azikiwe (An Easterner) as its first president and Tafawa Balewa (A Northerner) as the prime minister. The country adopted a democratic governance approach and all seem well at the time, until 1966 when a series of military coups derailed Nigeria’s democracy. After 16 years of perpetual and brutal military rule and interruption of democratic institutions, Nigeria in 1999 returned to democratic civilian government. In an elaborate ceremony, power was transferred by General Abdulsalam Abubakar to President Olusegun Obasanjo (a former military dictator himself), who was elected in a nationwide elections.

In 1999 Power was transferred by General
Abdulsalam Abubakar to President Olusegun Obasanjo

As the Federal government announced its plans to celebrate this significant milestone year of its independence, many Nigeria’s argue that there is nothing worth celebrating, because during the last six decades since independence, all the passion and hopes of Nigerians have been smashed.  The great excitement after independence has been eroded due to persistent national insecurity, ethnic clashes and religious prejudice combined with high unemployment rates etc. 

Despite the enormous human capital and economic resources that the country is endowed with, it has yet to achieve any real level of economic development takeoff. Its economic development remains stultified because of lack of basic infrastructural development in the areas of electricity, road and rail connection, education etc., leaving its citizens despondent and entrapped in an endless cycle of struggle to survive by barely meeting their basic human needs.

Without peace and security, Nigeria like most other countries cannot achieve the aspirations of its people. It is the hope of this writer, that this Independence Day will unleash a renewed sense of hope, togetherness and enthusiasm of all citizens despite the ongoing devastation caused by the Corona Virus (Covid-19) epidemic. One would hope that with the “greater inclusiveness going forward” implied in the unveiled national logo to celebrate the independence, all Nigerians will renew their sense of national belonging and Nigerian politicians and policy makers will rise to the great task of building social trust between the people and the Nigerian nation. Nigeria also needs to tackle its endemic societal corruption in all facets of society.

We wish Nigeria a joyous and happy independence celebration and God’s blessings in its new age. 

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All rights reserved by Tom Okure, Ph.D CEO of Inter-Continental Mgt. Systems, Inc (or ICMS Inc). ICMS, Inc, is a multifaceted business and management consulting firm with its head office in Albany, New York.

Trial Of Nigerian Treasury Looters To Commence Soon-President Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari said Tuesday in Abuja that the prosecution of persons who have stolen national resources will begin in a matter of weeks

Source: Sahara Reporters, Inc. All rights reserved
By Femi Adesinna
Date: August 11, 2015

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President Muhammadu Buhari said Tuesday in Abuja that the prosecution of persons who have stolen national resources will begin in a matter of weeks.

President Muhammadu Buhari

Speaking at a meeting with members of the National Peace Committee led by Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar in the Presidential Villa, President Buhari declared that his administration was irrevocably committed to doing all within its powers to break the vicious cycle of corruption, unemployment and insecurity in Nigeria.

"Nigeria has to break this vicious cycle before we can make progress," the President said, adding that his administration was diligently getting facts and figures pertaining to the nation's stolen funds, before proceeding to the prosecution of identified culprits.

President Buhari told General Abdulsalami and members of his committee that the Federal Government, under his leadership, will not only ask for the return of  stolen funds that have been stashed in foreign banks, but will also ensure that those who stole the funds are put on trial in Nigeria.

The President also said that as part of its actions to address the national problems it inherited, his administration was reorganising Nigeria's revenue generating institutions.

The President explained that a single treasury account had been established for all Federal revenue to ensure greater probity, transparency and accountability in the collection, disbursement and utilisation of national funds. 

"We have really degenerated as a country. Our national institutions, including the military, which did wonderfully on foreign missions in the past, have been compromised. But we are doing something about it. The military is now retraining and morale has been resuscitated.

"As Petroleum Minister under Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo in the 1970s, I could not travel abroad until I had taken a memo to the Federal Executive Council asking for estacode. Now, everybody does what he wants.

"That is why security-wise and economically, we're in trouble," President Buhari told his guests, adding that those who have stolen the national wealth "will be in court in a matter of weeks and Nigerians will know those who have short-changed them."

Gen. Abubakar and members of his committee urged the Federal Government to be guided by the rule of law in its fight against corruption.

Members of the National Peace Committee who accompanied Gen Abubakar on the visit were Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, His Eminence, Alhaji Sa'ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, Primate of the Anglican Church of Nigeria.

Others were Justice Rose Ukeje (rtd), Prof Ameze Guobadia, Vanguard Newspaper Publisher, Sam Amuka, Dame Priscilla Kuye, Senator Ben Obi, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, and Dr Arthur-Martin Aginam.

The National Peace Committee, formed before the 2015 general elections, was granted permission by the President to transform to a National Peace Council.

Femi Adesina

Special Adviser to the President

(Media & Publicity)

August 11, 2015

Link

http://saharareporters.com/2015/08/11/trial-nigerian-treasury-looters-commence-soon-president-buhari

Nigeria’s President Buhari Announces The Appointments of New NSA and Military Service Chiefs

NIGERIA'S PRESIDENT BUHARI ANOUNCES THE APPOINTMENTS OF NEW SERVICE CHIEFS AND NSA 

July, 13, 2015
Source: Femi Adesina 
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity

Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the following appointments: 

• Major-General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin - Chief of Defence Staff; 
• Major-General T.Y. Buratai - Chief of Army Staff 
• Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas - Chief of Naval Staff 
• Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar - Chief of Air Staff 
• Air Vice Marshal Monday Riku Morgan - Chief of Defence Intelligence 
• Major-General Babagana Monguno (rtd.) - National Security Adviser 

The new Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.-Gen. Olonishakin (N/6901) hails from Ekiti State. Until his appointment as Chief of Defence Staff today, he was the Head of the Nigerian Army Training and Doctrine Command in Minna, Niger State. 

The new Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Buratai hails from Borno State. Until his new appointment today, he was the Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force which has its headquarters in Ndjamena. Maj-Gen. Buratai has previously served as Commander of the Nigerian Army's 2nd Brigade in Port Harcourt and Commander of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry in Jaji, Kaduna State. 

The new Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibas (NN/0746) hails from Cross River State. He enlisted into the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 26th Regular Course in 1979 and was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant in 1983. His previous appointments include: Naval Provost Marshal, Chief Staff Officer, Naval Training Command, Chief of Administration, Naval Headquarters, Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command and Chief of Logistics, Naval Headquarters. Until his appointment as Chief of Naval Staff, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Navy Holdings Limited. 

The new Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar (NAF/1433) hails from Bauchi State. His previous appointments include: Chief of Standards and Evaluation, NAF Headquarters; Chief of Defence Communications and Air Officer Commanding, NAF Training Command. Until his new appointment today as Chief of Air Staff, he was the Chief of Administration, NAF Headquarters. 

The new Service Chiefs will hold their appointments in an acting capacity until confirmed by the Senate. President Buhari thanks the outgoing Service Chiefs and National Security Adviser for their services to the nation and wishes them well in their future endeavours.

Commentary

A few hours before the announcement of the new appointments, Femi Adesina who is the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity had annouced that Buhari had dismissed the existing National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki, and the current service chiefs of the army, air force and the navy and would annouce their replacements shortly.

 Dismissed Military Service Chiefs

The service chiefs whose current appointments are terminated are Usman Jibrin, Chief of Naval Staff; Alex Badeh, Chief of Defense Staff; Kenneth Minimah, Chief of Army Staff and Adesola Amosu, Chief of Air Staff.

Footnote:  

One may recall the directive from the All Progressives Congress (APC) when they were in opposition to the PDP on its members in the Senate chamber to resist the screening the service chiefs until the political crisis in Rivers State was resolved by the federal government.

Related link: President Jonathan Swears Nigerias New Military Chiefs