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NRC, SEDC Into Partnership On Rail Rehabilitation In South-East

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NRC, SEDC Into Partnership On Rail Rehabilitation In South-East

NRC, SEDC into partnership on rail rehabilitation in South-East. He underscored the priority attention the commission attached to rail development in the region.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) says the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) will play a crucial role in the federal government’s vision to rehabilitate, expand and optimise the country’s railway infrastructure.

The managing director and chief executive officer of NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa, said this during a working visit by the leadership of SEDC to the NRC headquarters on Wednesday in Lagos.

Mr Opeifa said the visit by the SEDC managing director, Mark Okoye, and its South-West director, Adejoke Adebayo-Chukwumah, underscored the priority attention the commission attached to rail development in the region.

He noted that the NRC had historically been at the heart of Nigeria’s economic growth, tracing it back to the colonial era when the first rail lines were built to facilitate trade and commerce.

Mr Opeifa said the government was prioritising the rehabilitation and expansion of narrow gauge railway networks to enhance mobility, reduce the cost of transporting goods, and improve economic productivity.

“While Nigeria developed 3,500 kilometres of rail lines in our first 60 years post independence, the Federal Government successfully constructed over 1,000 kilometres of new or refurbished rail lines in the past decade, marking a significant milestone in railway development.

“Revitalising the railway sector will lead to a significant reduction in the cost of goods, benefiting businesses and consumers alike.

“Rehabilitation of the eastern corridor railway line will restore connectivity between key cities in the southeast and other parts of the country,” he said.

On the raging concerns on vandalism especially on the Eastern corridor, he pointed out that the railway assets were still much in use and not scrap irons.

He said the NRC was actively working to repurpose outdated infrastructure and improve service delivery.

In his remarks, Mr Okoye outlined an ambitious roadmap to transform the region into Nigeria’s preferred investment destination by 2030.

He added that the commission was prioritising railway development across five states in the South-East.

“Our goal is to develop a seamless business climate across all five states in the region. We want consistency in ease of doing business policies, laws, and investment regulations to attract both domestic and international investors.

NRC, SEDC Into Partnership On Rail

NRC, SEDC Into Partnership On Rail

“The commission intends to establish an investment fund driven through an investment corporation to finance long-term projects, ensuring financial independence within a decade,” he said.

He said the collaboration with NRC would play a crucial role in the region’s master planning, which included multi-modal transportation systems, industrial clusters, and agro-processing zones.

Mr Okoye said successful models like Lagos State’s partnership with the NRC would serve as a blueprint for similar initiatives in the South-East.

Mr Okoye reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to fostering development partnerships and urged the NRC to consider SEDC as a key stakeholder in its future projects.

“We are here on a plucking mission to identify and maximise opportunities for regional growth,” he said.

Economy

Okpebholo Threatening Me With Violence, I’ll Fight Back Says Obaseki

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Obaseki

Okpebholo Threatening Me With Violence, I’ll Fight Back Says Obaseki

Okpebholo threatening me with violence, I’ll fight back says Obaseki. Godwin Obaseki, the immediate past governor of Edo, has accused Monday Okpebholo, his successor, of threatening him with violence. Obaseki spoke during the weekend at an event in London, the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND
Since assuming office in November 2024, Okpebholo has initiated a series of actions aimed at scrutinising Obaseki’s tenure.

He first constituted a 14-member committee to investigate the assets, liabilities, contracts, and financial decisions made under Obaseki.

Okpebholo then expanded the scrutiny to the state civil service, ordering a probe into all recruitments conducted between May and November 2024, alleging a violation of due process.

Last week, Okpebholo asked the federal government to repatriate Obaseki to answer questions over public funds linked to the controversial Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) project.

‘OKPEBHOLO THREATENING ME’

Obaseki said the governor is threatening him with violence and allegedly sent thugs to attack him in the UK.

“Those who live by the sword will die by the sword,” Obaseki said. “And to tell the governor, Okpebholo, I don’t know him; I have never met him. When you start with violence, you will reap violence.

“For one year since I left office, I didn’t say one word. I decided to respect myself and allow them to try [in governance] as well. Go and find out, you won’t see one thing I said about his government.”

He accused Okpebholo’s government of being behind the attack on diplomats during the exhibition in MOWAA.

“As if that was not enough, the government paid people to come to Manchester to attack me,” he said.
“Who has started this violence? Is it me? Last week, this governor held a disgraceful press conference in which he threatened me not to come to Benin.

Obaseki

Obaseki

“They have been threatening violence. So if I respond, nobody should hold me responsible. “I can’t leave myself empty to be hurt and attacked by deranged people.

“So I am going to fight back. I will fight back. I didn’t start the fight. They are afraid. They know they did not win the election.”

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Jigawa: 9,600 Teachers Register For Special Training

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Teachers Register For Special Training

Jigawa: 9,600 Teachers Register For Special Training

Jigawa: 9,600 teachers register for special training. No fewer than 9,600 teachers under the Jigawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) registered for a competency test to determine the specific training required to improve their skills and enhance teaching outcomes in the state.

The Executive Chairman of the Board, Professor Haruna Musa, revealed this while briefing journalists on the purpose of the examination, adding that 12,000 teachers were expected to register for the exam.

He explained that the state government, under the leadership of Governor Malam Umar Namadi, was committed to repositioning the state education sector as a key foundation for sustainable development, in line with its “12-Point Agenda.”

Prof. Haruna noted that while the government has been spending significant resources to improve educational infrastructure, meaningful learning improvements cannot be achieved without also enhancing the capabilities of teachers.

“Based on that, the State Executive Council approved for the board to organise a competency test for all teachers. This will enable us to understand the kind of training each teacher requires to improve his or her skills”.

“Out of the 9,600 teachers registered for the exam, over 70% have never attended any capacity-building training since they were employed, including some with over 15 years of service,” the Chairman added.

Teachers Register For Special Training

Teachers Register For Special Training

He stated that after the exam, the teachers will be categorised into three groups: Group A, those with both knowledge and teaching skills; Group B, those with knowledge but lacking teaching skills; and Group C, those lacking both knowledge and teaching skills.

“Each group will be offered specialised training. Those in Group C will undergo intensive training and subsequent examinations for a period to ensure they are equipped with the required knowledge and skills”.
“For those with slower learning uptake, we will attach them to competent teachers within their schools for ongoing guidance and mentorship,” Prof Haruna said.

He further stated that the project is not about retrenchment, but his primary goal is to enhance teachers’ capacity for better learning outcomes within the state’s basic education sector.

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PFA: Leadway Pensure Leverages Innovations For Quality Service Delivery

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Leadway Pensure

PFA: Leadway Pensure Leverages Innovations For Quality Service Delivery

PFA: Leadway pensure leverages innovations for quality service delivery. A Pension Fund Administrator (PFA), Leadway Pensure said, it is leveraging innovation to escalate quality

service delivery to its retirement savings account (RSA) holders. This milestone marks 20 years of trust, exceptional service delivery, and value creation as it celebrates its anniversary. It highlights two decades of dedication to protecting the financial wellness of Nigerian workers.

Over the last 20 years, the PFA has served thousands of customers across Nigeria and beyond, standing as a clear testament to its commitment to providing financial stability at various stages of workers’ career journeys.

Speaking on this remarkable achievement, MD/CEO, Leadway Pensure PFA, Olusakin Labeodan, stated that: “As we celebrate 20 years of Leadway Pensure PFA, this milestone is more than a celebration of longevity, it is a tribute to trust, service and innovation.

From the very beginning, our mission has been very clear, to deliver a pension system without barriersOver two decades, we have transformed this vision into reality by simplifying pension access, embracing cutting-edge technology, and ensuring our services are always within reach. With a nationwide presence, a robust mobile platform, and the AI-powered assistant LISA, we have made pension services accessible to eligible Nigerians.

“We have supported countless customers in achieving life goals, from retirement to home ownership, by ensuring access, clarity and care at every step. This is a testament to the strong relationships and legacy we have built with every customer. Trust is at the heart of our service, propelling us to uphold world-class standards and earning us global certifications such as ISO/IEC 27001:2022 for information security, a mark of our unwavering commitment to safeguarding our customers’ funds. ”

Leadway Pensure

Leadway Pensure

Looking ahead, the company said, it is committed to promoting youth-focused financial literacy, growing personal pension plans and strengthening customer engagement across every stage of the pension journey.

“The next years and beyond will be shaped by the same dedication that brought us this far, a future-forward mindset, a culture of excellence, and an unyielding promise to stand by our customers every step of the way,” Olusakin concluded.

As it commemorates 20 years of service, Leadway Pensure reaffirms its commitment to simplifying retirement planning, delivering consistent value, and driving financial inclusion across Nigeria.

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