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Libya’s National Oil Corporation has denied that it was in talks to supply crude oil to any refinery in Nigeria, including the Dangote refinery. This is coming following claims by some top refinery officials that the refinery was in talks with Libya for crude supply. But in a statement shared on its X handle on
The All Progressives Congress on Tuesday blasted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his allegation that President Bola Tinubu’s administration paid N50 million bribe to opposition parties to weaken their leadership ahead of the 2027 election. This was as the opposition parties denied receiving such inducements from the Tinubu-led government. The opposition parties, which included
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The All Progressives Congress on Tuesday blasted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his allegation that President Bola Tinubu’s administration paid N50 million bribe to opposition parties to weaken their leadership ahead of the 2027 election. This was as the opposition parties denied receiving such inducements from the Tinubu-led government. The opposition parties, which included
The Nigeria Police Force has asked Nigerians to refrain from using the office or the name of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to intimidate others. According to the police, using the IG’s name or office could undermine the values of impartiality that the office upholds in the country. The Force, in a post via
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The Nigeria Police Force has asked Nigerians to refrain from using the office or the name of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to intimidate others. According to the police, using the IG’s name or office could undermine the values of impartiality that the office upholds in the country. The Force, in a post via
A Nigerian beauty queen, Hassana Ozohu Salisu has recounted her experience using the Itakpe-Warri train service. Queen Hassana is the current Miss Nollywood International. In this interview with DAILY POST, she sheds light on critical issues plaguing the nation’s railway system, highlighting the urgent need for reform to save lives, enhance comfort, and restore dignity
INTERVIEW: Nigeria railway system a mess – Miss Nollywood international, Hassana
A Nigerian beauty queen, Hassana Ozohu Salisu has recounted her experience using the Itakpe-Warri train service. Queen Hassana is the current Miss Nollywood International.
In this interview with DAILY POST, she sheds light on critical issues plaguing the nation’s railway system, highlighting the urgent need for reform to save lives, enhance comfort, and restore dignity for citizens.
Can you tell us about your experience when you boarded a train from Itakpe to Warri recently?
I was scheduled to travel by train. I and other travelers arrived at the train station by 10:00 am to catch a train scheduled to depart at 2:00 pm. Unfortunately, the train ended up leaving at 7:30 pm, five and a half hours later than anticipated.
This glaring inefficiency wasn’t just an inconvenience; it posed real risks to the safety and security of passengers. The lack of security personnel on the train heightened these concerns, making an already stressful situation all the more perilous.
Those who eventually boarded the train quickly discovered that it was full to capacity, with people crammed into the couches like sardines.
Passengers from various states found themselves jostling in overcrowded compartments, many enduring the indignity of using bottled water containers as makeshift toilets. Women cried in anguish as they held in their bladders, with the toilets— locked with padlocks— rendered completely useless.
Mechanical failures compounded the misery, as prolonged loading of baggage stretched the ordeal even further— up to 40 minutes at each stop. This disheartening scene painted a vivid picture of the railway services that are supposed to provide safe, reliable, and convenient transport for the people.
Instead, they have become an oppressive burden, showcasing a system that has failed its citizens.
With your experience, are you saying the government is paying lip service to the railway system?
To me, the Government should do more rather than pay lip service to the railway system. Nothing is working from the look of things. I would like to ask questions about the responsibilities of the Nigerian government and the Nigerian Railway Corporation.
How can a nation that generates significant revenue from its railway services allow such a disgraceful experience to occur? Is it not the duty of the government to invest in a system that prioritizes the comfort and safety of its citizens, especially when those systems are part of its own infrastructure? These are questions begging for answers.
What are your calls to the relevant authorities?
My call to action is very clear: the railway authorities must prioritize service improvement and ensure that the railway network becomes viable and a safe option for citizens. The difficulties faced during the holiday season are just a microcosm of a more extensive problem that has plagued the railway system for years.
This issue extends beyond just poor railway services. Nigeria’s economic struggles manifest in various ways, particularly impacting the youth who are desperately seeking job opportunities and entrepreneurial support.
It is unacceptable that, in a nation blessed with resources, its young population bears the brunt of mismanagement. The Minister of Transportation, Saidu Ahmed Alkali, has a crucial role to play in bringing about the necessary reforms.
As Nigerians, we deserve better. The grievances expressed by travellers must not fall on deaf ears. We must call upon our leaders, not only to acknowledge these issues but to take immediate and decisive action to remedy them. It is vital for our nation’s progress that we invest in infrastructure that genuinely serves the people and empowers them.
Nigeria’s title as the “Giant of Africa” should not merely be a label; it must be a reflection of our realities. Let us collectively demand accountability and urge our leaders to pave the way for a brighter future.
Together, we can reclaim our status and ensure that every citizen enjoys a standard of living that corresponds with the abundance of resources our nation possesses. It is time for reform— let us make it happen.
INTERVIEW: Nigeria railway system a mess – Miss Nollywood international, Hassana