Abuja - NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA

Tosin Kolade
Nov, Thu, 2024

NRC expands Abuja-Kaduna train schedule to 6 daily services

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By Chiazo Ogbolu

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has increased the number of train services on its Abuja-Kaduna route from four to six per day, Monday through Friday.

The acting Managing Director of the Corporation, Mr Ben Iloanusi, confirmed this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.

The statement was signed by Mr Yakub Mohmood, the Deputy Director, Public Relations of the NRC.

Iloanusi noted that this was in reaffirming of NRC’s commitment to responding to customer demands, improving customer satisfaction and tackling complaints of ticket racketeering.

“A trend analysis over a five-month period revealed a significant increase of 22 per cent in the number of new passengers registering on the ticket platform to use the Abuja-Kaduna service.

“This signifies a surge in the number of Nigerians turning to the use of train services as a comfortable, reliable and safe option of commuting.

“NRC has observed similar trends on the Lagos-Ibadan, Warri-Itakpe and Port Harcourt-Aba routes and efforts are already ongoing to beef-up services along these routes as well,” he said.

He assured Nigerians of the increased presence of senior management of NRC across all the train service routes to drive continuous efficiency and tackle the issue of ticket racketeering head-on.

“Our valued customers are encouraged to use NRC ticket platforms online to take advantage of the increased services and shun patronage of ticket racketeers,” he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Francis Onyeukwu/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Philip Daniel Yatai
Oct, Sun, 2024

Metro

Stop patronising quack estate agents, Mortgage brokers tell Nigerians

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By Angela Atabo

The Institute of Mortgage Brokers and Lenders of Nigeria (IMBLN), on Saturday called on Nigerians to stop patronising quack estate agents while purchasing lands or renting properties.

The President of IMBLN, Hayatuddeen Awwal, made the call at the end of IMBLN’s Consultative Meeting with the theme` `Mortgage and Real Estate Professionalism and Accessibility to Affordable Housing for Nigerians in Abuja.

He said the institute was working on modalities to sanitise the housing sector to enable Nigeria reap from its hidden revenue.

According to him, many people are posing as estate agents thereby abusing the profession

“The transactions being done under those people are in millions, if not billions because there is no land in Abuja that is below one million Naira.

“Everybody is an agent and they go home with their money free of any tax. Our aim is now to enforce the parameters, qualifications and certifications”, he said.

According to Awwal, the challenge of quacks as land and housing agents is so bad that among 10 cases that the police have in Abuja, 80 per cent of them are land related.

“IMBLN has initiated collaboration with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU),ICPC and EFCC so that they will join in sanitising the sector,” he said.

Awwal said that Nigeria was faced with a 28 million housing deficit.

“If the opportunities that are in between the value chain of delivering 28 million housing deficit are explored, you are talking of a huge opportunity to the tune of 420 billion Naira”, he said.

Awwal said this could only happen when the housing sector was sanitised.

He said that IMBLN was established by an Act of the National Assembly and mandated to regulate and professionalise the mortgage and housing industry through transparency and respect for ethical standards.

Dr Bernard Doro, member, Governing Council of IMBLN, while unveiling the Institute’s brand, said it refreshed its brand identity to reflect the institute’s unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation and sustainable housing solutions.

“It speaks to our dedication to equipping professionals with the tools and knowledge they need to navigate the complexities of the industry and provide sustainable housing solutions for all.

“Be it rentals, be it outright purchase, be it purchase through mortgage, whatever, the IMBLN wants to offer Nigerians the opportunity to be confident in their dealings.

“We are fostering an environment where professionals can thrive, where innovation can flourish, and where the dream of home ownership becomes a reality for more Nigerians”, he said. (NAN)

Edited by Uche Anunne

Philip Daniel Yatai
Oct, Mon, 2024

Environment , Metro

AMMC gives AEPB 48-hour ultimatum to clean up Abuja

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By Philip Yatai

The Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), has given the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) 48-hour ultimatum to clean up Abuja.

The Coordinator of the Council, Chief Felix Obuah, gave the ultimatum after an emergency meeting with management of the board and contractors handling refuse evacuation in Abuja on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the meeting was held after the coordinator inspected the state of refuse evacuation in Asokoro District.

Obuah expressed disappointment with the slow pace of refuse evacuation in the district, noting that the nation’s capital should be a model city for cleanliness across Nigeria.

He, thereafter, directed the Director of AEPB, Mr Osi Braimah to ensure that Asokoro was thoroughly cleaned within 48 hours.

He added that the efforts should be extended to other major districts, including Guzape, Maitama, Central Business District, Wuse, and other areas within the Abuja metropolis.

He also directed the director to immediately recall casual workers to accelerate the evacuation of refuse across the city.

“I am tired of receiving calls from residents complaining of how dirty the city has become.

“Today, I was forced to go round major areas of the city to assess the state of refuse collection and what I saw was an eyesore.

“I realised that the contractors engaged to clean the city are no longer doing their jobs and AEPB must do something about it,” he said.

He advised the companies to also within 48 hours, clean up their act, or face the wrath of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, whom he said, was already displeased with the situation.

The coordinator pointed out that the beauty of any city largely depended on its cleanliness.

According to him, Abuja should not only be clean but should also set the benchmark for other cities in the country to follow.

Responding, Braimah assured the coordinator that the board would do as directed. (NAN)

Edited by Maureen Atuonwu

Philip Daniel Yatai
Oct, Sat, 2024

Gender

SWEDI donates dignity packs to celebrate school girls in Abuja

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By Philip Yatai

An NGO, Safe World Empowerment and Development Initiative (SWEDI), has donated dignitary packs to school girls to commemorate 2024 International Day of the Girl Child in Abuja.

Some of the items include sanitary pads, toothbrush and paste, toilet paper, bathing soap and vaseline among others.

The founder and Executive Director of the NGO, Ms Sewuese Asa, led the distribution on Friday, at Junior Secondary School, Kabusa, in Abuja Municipal Area Council.

Asa said that the support was in line with the 2024 theme, “Girls’ Vision for the Future”, to empower young girls through the SWEDI Care programme.

She said that the initiative was designed to support girls’ menstrual health, through sensitisation on menstrual hygiene and distribution of dignity packs.

This, she said, would ensure that no girl is held back by menstrual period.

She explained that the school outreach was to support girls’ menstrual hygiene and overall well-being, in line with the NGO’s vision of creating lasting change for women and girls across Nigeria.

The executive director also emphasised the importance of girls’ education, health and leadership training to enable them to contribute to the advancement of the society.

“SWEDI Care is more than just products; it is about ensuring that every girl can continue to dream, learn, and lead with confidence and dignity.

“The outreach has attracted the attention of stakeholders to the critical issue of menstrual hygiene among young girls.

She reaffirmed SWEDI’s commitment to continue advocating for girls’ rights and well-being.

One of the school girls, Fatima Mohammed Fatima, described the outreach as simply “informative and impactful.”

Mohammed, who is the Head Girl of the school, thanked SWEDI for the enlightenment, saying, “we have learnt about the importance of menstrual hygiene and how to take care of ourselves, especially during menstrual period.

“The dignity packs we received from SWEDI Care are going to help us to stay confident and comfortable in school.

“I have learnt that having a menstrual period is normal and nothing to be ashamed of, and with the dignity pack from SWEDI, I now have the things I need to manage my period properly, even when I am at school.

“This programme has made me feel more confident about myself.

“I will share this knowledge with my friends and younger girls, so they don’t feel ashamed or embarrassed when they are menstruating.

“They need to know how to take care of themselves. We all deserve to feel strong and proud; no matter what,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru