₦airaland Forum

Kicked off our Familiarization Tour of the Eastern District with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Management in Rivers State yesterday 15th of April 2025

From facility inspections to staff engagement, we’re taking a closer look at operations on ground to ensure improved service delivery and stronger collaboration across the region.

Stay tuned as we continue the tour across key locations in the Eastern District!

#NRC #EasternDistrictTour #RiversState #RailwayDevelopment #TeamWork #Infrastructure
#RenewedHopeIsHere

In continuation of our Eastern District working tour, we visited Abia State to deepen Strategic Partnership with Rivers, Abia, and Other States to Reposition the NRC for better Rail Services

In a significant move towards revitalisation of the Nigeria rail transport system, I, alongside the management team of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), visited Abia State as part of a broader initiative to foster regional collaboration. The visit underscores ongoing efforts to establish strategic partnerships with Rivers, Abia, and other key states aimed at restoring and enhancing smooth rail services across the country.

During the visit, the delegation engaged with state officials and stakeholders to discuss infrastructural upgrades, service improvements, and the integration of rail transport into regional development plans. This initiative aligns with the federal government's vision of modern, efficient, and accessible rail transport that supports economic growth and mobility.

The NRC is optimistic that with strong cooperation from state governments and local communities, the railway sector will experience a new era of functionality, safety, and reliability.

Today, I and the Nigerian Railway Corporation NRC Management Visit Abia State, Plan Strategic Partnership with Rivers, Abia, and Other States to Revive Smooth Rail Services

In a significant move towards revitalizing Nigeria’s rail transport system, I, alongside the management team of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), visited Abia State as part of a broader initiative to foster regional collaboration. The visit underscores ongoing efforts to establish strategic partnerships with Rivers, Abia, and other key states aimed at restoring and enhancing smooth rail services across the country.

During the visit, the delegation engaged with state officials and stakeholders to discuss infrastructural upgrades, service improvements, and the integration of rail transport into regional development plans. This initiative aligns with the federal government's vision of modern, efficient, and accessible rail transport that supports economic growth and mobility.

The NRC is optimistic that with strong cooperation from state governments and local communities, the railway sector will experience a new era of functionality, safety, and reliability.

“CPC Black Sheep, holding Press Conference today, to support the Tinubu-led federal government and Gondollar-led APC”

- by: Dalhatu Danzago
- 14th April 2025 - Part 1

The last week has been an interesting time in Nigerian politics. The Tinubu government with an absentee president who would never transfer power to his sidelined deputy as required by the Constitution is away to France for 8th time on one pretext or another (but never the truth - serious health challenges). Tinubu’s media team went helter-skelter managing the fall-out of the accusations of violating the federal character provisions of the Constitution by appointing over 150 persons with Yoruba-sounding names in virtually every key agency of the government in every economic, financial, legal and social sector - by suggesting that all appointments were on merit, of course.

It is not only the other five geopolitical zones that were unconstitutionally excluded from the distribution of key appointments in the Tinubu government. The members of the defunct CPC which was the largest single electoral bloc amongst the parties that merged into the APC in 2013, has been virtually excluded from the leadership of the executive and legislative arms of government. This has not only angered the defunct CPC leaders, but has infuriated the electorate that gave Tinubu more votes than even his ancestral Southwest gave him in the 2023 election.

As soon as the Tinubu government settled into office, former president Buhari and his legacy came under deliberate attack for a reason that wasn’t clear then, but evident now. Every hardship caused by the reckless policies and their poor implementation and sequencing was being on what was inherited from the Buhari administration. Every incident of insecurity and the failure to prevent is blamed on the Buhari administration. This has not only angered the defunct CPC leaders but has infuriated the electorate that gave Tinubu more votes than even his ancestral Southwest gave him in the 2023 election.

A deliberate policy of appeasing and paying kidnappers and bandits in the North-West zone is reminiscent of the decision of a previous government to ignore Boko Haram’s territorial gains in the North-East at the time, as part of a strategy of vote suppression in zones that are perceived as unlikely to vote for the incumbent president in those days. The Tinubu approach to solving security problems in the North-West combines denial, media propaganda and negotiating with (and paying) bandits. In the guise of ‘non-kinetic strategy’, kidnapping and banditry incidents have escalated in Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, and Kaduna States in the North-West as the bandits have been paid billions in ransom monies that have been then used to acquire even more lethal weapons. The states of North- West were the most consistent electoral base of the defunct CPC and former President Buhari. This has not only angered the defunct CPC leaders but has infuriated the electorate that gave Tinubu more votes than even his ancestral Southwest gave him in the 2023 election.

Tinubu’s national security and economic policy officials appear to have undying hatred for Buhari and his legacy and did everything to rubbish him as soon they got into office. It is on record that officials like Nuhu Ribadu and Wale Edun had attempted at various times to blame the fallout of the Tinubu government’s ill-timed fuel subsidy removal (without any thought of a social safety net) and the equally idiotic floating of the Naira (without adequate foreign reserves to ensure exchange rate stability) on the Buhari administration that had prudently managed these for 8 years without causing harm to lives and livelihoods. This has not only angered the defunct CPC leaders but has infuriated the electorate that gave Tinubu more votes than even ancestral Southwest gave him in the 2023 election.

Dalhatu Danzago writes from Paris, France
ddanzago@yahoo.fr
+33 652 185 809 WhatsApp only)

2027: PDP Govs acting as Tinubu’s spoilers, killing opposition, says Atiku’s coalition

By Omeiza Ajayi, Abuja
April 16, 2025



The anti-Tinubu coalition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has slammed governors of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for playing the spoiler for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election, accusing them of usurping the powers of other organs of the PDP and killing the opposition.

The coalition in a statement on Wednesday was reacting to the resolution of the PDP Governors Forum at its meeting on Monday, April 14, where the state chief executives declared their opposition to the initiative to form a broad-based coalition of opposition political parties, politicians and other groups.

However, coalition spokesman Salihu Moh. Lukman, in the statement, said the coalition is a viable option not only for defeating the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Tinubu but also for rescuing Nigeria’s democracy from imminent collapse.

He said, “For more than 10 years that the PDP had been out of power, Nigerians had waited for the party to dust itself off and provide the viable opposition that Nigeria needs. Instead, the party went into suspended animation until the rampaging Tinubu-led APC found a willing undertaker to finally put it to rest.

“The governors know that the virus that afflicts the PDP has no cure. They are only grandstanding. They know that Nigerians cannot accept this PDP as the alternative because it is clear to all discerning Nigerians that the ruling party has hijacked its soul.

“Nyesom Wike is the untouchable super minister in Asiwaju’s government, not because of the sterling job he is doing in the FCT, but because he has done a great job of ensuring that the PDP is not able to present a presidential candidate to challenge Tinubu for power in 2027.

“However, with the growing coalition, that mandate has been adjusted in recent weeks. The new agenda is to revive the PDP to stand as a counterforce to the coalition and present a candidate that would split the vote in 2027. This PDP Governors’ Forum is wittingly or unwittingly playing Asiwaju’s spoiler game, and they expect Nigerians to take them seriously.”

Lukman said rescuing Nigerian democracy, which is about rebuilding trust between citizens and politicians, is the main objective of the coalition.

According to him, the coalition has also become necessary if the integrity of political institutions, especially political parties, in upholding and promoting political competitions in the country is to be restored.

He said nothing represents the sad reality of the destruction of Nigeria’s democracy than the party that ruled Nigeria for 16 years and arrogantly boasted of ruling for 60 years, the PDP.

“The mere fact that the NEC meeting of the party has not been held for two years and no Nigerian can confidently tell who is really in charge of the party is evidence of this collapse. This should be the concern of leaders of the party, including its governors.

“Unfortunately, all we have seen of the PDP governors is the flagrant usurpation of the powers assigned to the organs of the party. This is wrong. It is also a clear demonstration that if left alone, the PDP governors will only continue the path of destroying democratic institutions in the country.

“As it is, all patriotic Nigerians who are committed to rescuing Nigerian democracy should recognise that the challenge facing us as a nation is beyond the romantic affiliation to so-called political parties such as the PDP, with many of their leaders operating as Trojan horses to the APC and President Tinubu’s government.

“It makes no sense to invest energy and resources in a party whose leaders are either appointees of the APC government or undercover supporters. Otherwise, how can anyone justify the way PDP and its leaders are mismanaging themselves and practically putting themselves on the path of self-destruction and political irrelevance?

“For the avoidance of doubt, the coalition is fundamentally about rebuilding Nigerian democracy. Leaders of the coalition recognise this and, more importantly, recognise all the challenges ahead. Resolving these challenges and building the confidence of Nigerians is about restoring the value of political negotiations as critical and fundamental to guaranteeing the survival of democracy. Over the years, both the PDP and APC have demonstrated contempt for political negotiations and, to that extent, disrespected agreements in various ways.

“The survival of Nigeria and the future of democracy largely depend on how political actors seek to reverse this ugly reality. This is what leaders of the coalition have been painstakingly working on. The coalition is working hard to finalise negotiations towards unveiling the coalition, along with its structure and programme of action for rescuing Nigeria.

“The expectation is that all political actors, including leaders of the PDP, would recognise the danger facing the country and join the coalition as a necessary and perhaps strongest response towards rebuilding Nigerian democracy. This has not happened. However, even as the PDP governors and some leaders of the PDP express opposition to joining the coalition, we extend hands of fellowship to all political actors in the country to join us to rescue Nigerian democracy,” the coalition added.

Vanguard recalls that aside from Atiku, other drivers of the coalition include former Anambra State Governor and 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr Peter Obi; former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir el-Rufai; and Tinubu’s estranged ally and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal.

They are joined in the coalition by some aggrieved elements of the APC, including a former governor of Nasarawa State and former national chairman of the APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu; former Rivers State governor and ex-transport minister, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi; and former Ekiti State governor and ex-minister of solid minerals, Dr John Kayode Fayemi.

Yesterday, I was honored to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the flag-off of the 65km 3-lane dual carriageway in Nsit Atai part of the ambitious 750km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. I sincerely thank Mr. President for this bold and visionary project. As a coastal state, Akwa Ibom is grateful to be a beneficiary of this life-changing infrastructure.

This road will unlock massive economic opportunities, connect previously unreachable communities, boost interstate commerce, and create jobs for our people. I urged our youths to maintain peace and support the contractors, while assuring that compensations will be paid once funds are released by the Federal Government.

Our administration will continue to support the Federal Government to ensure the timely completion of this project. We stand firmly with President Tinubu because the hand that has started this work must finish it. May God grant him the strength to deliver on this great vision. God bless Akwa Ibom State.

I was on the Lekki Ikoyi Link Bridge the other day and remember how fashola was dragged, called names, and even taken to court for that bridge.

But now we all use the bridge and applaud the convenience it has brought.

Same as the Lagos-Calabar ongoing construction. Same as the Uyo stadium.

Many allow their bias; many times, political bias to blind them. They exalt leaders of UAE for building Dubai, but cuss the Nigerian govt for Lagos-Calabar, something that will generate fortune in years to come, like the Link Bridge, like the Eko Atlantic. They call it a waste.

@woye1 surprised work has started at Akwa Ibom section of Lagos to Calabar Highway

Tinubu flags off 65km A’Ibom section of Lagos-Calabar coastal highway

….as Governor Eno says president must do two terms in office


April 15, 2025


President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday flagged off the 65km three-lane dual carriage way of Lagos-Calabar Coastal highway in Nsit Atai local government area of Akwa Ibom state.

In his remarks, Tinubu underscored the importance of the project, saying when completed the road will bring economic development to Akwa Ibom and foster national unity and integration.

The President, who was represented by Governor Umo Eno, explained that the project was one of the key components of the Renewed Hope Agenda of his administration.

Tinubu said, “I want to say that great leaders think big and shy away from playing politics with projects that have enduring value.

“I agree with you that if you want to build the economy, build roads and roads. Road infrastructure is key catalyst for the growth and development of any Nation. It creates ease of movement of goods of services.

“It stimulates interstate movement and improves the quality of lives of the people. This is my vision for the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.

“Now we are in three A and B respectively which links Akwa Ibom and Cross River. The economic benefits it will bring to the people of these two states are enormous”,

Speaking in his capacity, Eno commended Tinubu for including Akwa Ibom as one of the benefiting states of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, added that his administration will support the project to successful completion.

The governor, who described Tinubu as a de-tribalized leader, assured that the President deserves to complete his eight years in office to enable him complete the good works he has started.

“I want to thank Mr President for approving and embarking on this audacious project that is bound to unleash and expand our economic horizon and open up our hitherto unreacheable parts of our nation for easy movement of goods and services.

“I want to express the sentiments of the people of Akwa Ibom state for allowing the project pass through here. It could have gone elsewhere so it is not a right and we don’t take it for granted.

“I thank Mr President for thinking well for people particularly those of us in the coastal areas of this country so as to be able to move our goods and services to urban communities and urban centres.

Eno said Tinubu must be supported to serve his eight years in office for him to complete the good works he has started.

“Let me end by assuring our people loving President who will complete eight years because we are going to stand by him and this is the truth. He cannot start this work and abandon it. Somebody else may not finish it.

“The Bible says who is this mountain that is standing before Zerubabel, the hand that has started doing this work, the hand will complete it.

“Our prayer is to pray for Mr President to have good health to complete what he has started so that it will not be abandoned and so that it will not be like the East-West road”.

Minister of Works, David Umahi called on communities in the state to cooperate with Hitech, the contractor handling the project, failing which the federal government may abandon the road and move elsewhere.

Umahi assured that compensation will be paid after due profiling of those properties have been affected by the road.

I was on the Lekki Ikoyi Link Bridge the other day and remember how fashola was dragged, called names, and even taken to court for that bridge.

But now we all use the bridge and applaud the convenience it has brought.

Same as the Lagos-Calabar ongoing construction. Same as the Uyo stadium.

Many allow their bias; many times, political bias to blind them. They exalt leaders of UAE for building Dubai, but cuss the Nigerian govt for Lagos-Calabar, something that will generate fortune in years to come, like the Link Bridge, like the Eko Atlantic. They call it a waste.

@woye1 surprised work has started at Akwa Ibom section of Lagos to Calabar Highway