Railway operation resumes on P/H-Enugu lines

The railway system is known as one of the
cheapest, convenient and fastest means of
transportation in most parts of the world;
conveying humans and bulk goods to their
destinations in record time.

This means of transportation was common in
Nigeria between the 50's 60's and early 70's
and thus promoting commerce in more ways
than one, while conveying goods easily to
designated locations with an appreciable
precision.

It was a common sight to see traders
shouting out their merchandise at railway
terminals, even as the rush and roar that
heralds the arrival of train coaches in a
terminus was a spectacle to behold.
Unfortunately, this once vibrant sub-sector
that contributes to the growth of our
economy became moribund and abandoned
by successive administration.

The flag-off of the Enugu-Port Harcourt-Enugu
intercity train service at the railway terminus
along station Road in Port Harcourt, Rivers
State capital last week by Vice President
Namadi Sambo who represented President
Goodluck Jonathan counted as an exciting
reminder of how good things used to be.

For an event that was scheduled for 10am, a
large crowd of persons, including dignitaries
were already at the Port Harcourt railway
terminus before 9am, some of whom were
presumably doubting Thomas's who scarcely
believe that the rail lines could function
again.

The arrival of Vice President Namadi Sambo,
was greeted with a tumultuous welcome,
even as he acknowledged cheers from a sea
of heads.

The colour paintings of the eight couch train
service, including yellow, red and the
greenwhite- green national symbol
combinations formed an attractive spectacle,
even as Vice President Sambo led other
dignitaries to a symbolic ferry in the train to
the excitement and applause of the crowd.

Speaking before flaggingoff the inter city
train service, Sambo said the Jonathan
administration has kept faith with Nigerians
by fulfilling his election promises of reviving
the railway sub-sector.

Stating that the federal government was
determined to transform Nigeria through the
implementation of people-oriented projects,
he said given priority to infrastructural
development.

He described the rail rehabilitation project as
a demonstration of President Jonathan's
transformation agenda. Sambo pointed out
that President Jonathan was interested in
providing qualitative and transformational
change and added that the rehabilitation of
railway transport remained a landmark
achievement of the current administration.
Describing the railway interchange project as
significant in service delivery, the Vice
President stated that the new development in
the rail sub-sector would reduce the transport
challenges faced by Nigerians.

He said, "Our administration has given top
priority to infrastructural development, one of
which is the railway sector as the component
of transformation agenda of President
Jonathan. The Federal Government initiated
and articulated the strategic plans for the
railway development in Nigeria, which has
suffered neglect in the past 30 years.

"We are determined to transform Nigeria to a
very viable height. We have kept faith with
the Nigerian people in keeping all our
electoral promises. We are gradually
implementing our projects that will transform
the lives of Nigeria people.

With the continued support of Nigerians, we
shall see all those projects through. This flag-
off of the Enugu-Port Harcourt-Enugu
Intercity, he said, "I am glad that this will
extend to other parts of the country by
January. The ongoing modernization of the
rail system is progressing steadily," Sambo
said.

Speaking earlier, Minister of Transport,
Senator Idris Umah said the rehabilitation of
the lines which spans from PH to Maiduguri
was significant at this time in the nation's
history. Umah further said that the track have
been certified by the Government Inspectors
of Railways (GIR) and therefore 'fit for
movement of trains," saying the development
was significant for the entire country.
He disclosed that a provincial contract has
been signed for construction of cluster
railway which starts from Lagos-Benin, to
Sapele-Warri-Yenagoa-PH up to Uyo.The
Minister further disclosed that another line
from Benin to Onitsha, would be created,
saying, "As soon discussions with the various
institutions in China, the project will
commence."

He explained that in a bid to link up the entire
country with the train service, the necessary
studies and assessment have been carried
out in seven major corridors across the
country. In his welcome remark, Chairman,
Board of Directors, NRC, Alhaji Bamanga
Tukur described the event as historic, saying,

"It is a day that the wishes and aspirations of
people of this geo-political zone (South South-
South East) have come to fulfilment.

Expressing gratitude to the President and his
vice for their commitment to reviving the
railways to meet the challenges of the
nation's economy, Tukur said the federal
government through SURE-P has ensured the
revitalization of the Eastern rail line.

In his address, Managing Director and Chief
Executive of the Nigerian Railway
Corporation, Mr. Adeseyi Sijuwade, stated
that the Eastern line rehabilitation was
challenging as a result of the extent of its
dilapidation. Sijuwade said, "You may recall
the completion of the Western line and the
resumption of train services from Lagos to
Kano in December 2012.

"The Eastern line rehabilitation has been
much more challenging in view of the extent
of its dilapidation," he said, adding that all
damaged structures have been
reconstructed, the mountain of refuse cleared
and the entire track rehabilitated preparatory
to the flag-off.

Giving an insight on the train will operate, the
MD, NRC said, "The Enugu-Port Harcourt-
Enugu Intercity Passenger Service will run
three return trips per week; Mondays,
Wednesdays and Fridays.

"The train will depart Enugu at 7am prompt
and will stop at five intermediate stations;
Ovim, which is densely populated passenger
station; Umahia-capital of Abia State, Omoba,
Aba, where we have the famous Ariara
Market, and Imo River, which is the boundary
between Abia and Rivers State," he said.

Continuing, Sijuwade explained that "On
arrival in Port Harcourt, the train will wait for
about an hour to two, and commence the
return journey back to Enugu.
The train will depart Port Harcourt at 3pm and
arrive Enugu same day later in the evening."

Sijuwade further that the corporation intends
to commence the Port Harcourt Urban Mass
Transit Service during the first quarter of
2015 a development that attracted a loud
applause from residents of the crude oil and
gas rich city.

"This (the mass transit) will drastically reduce
congestion along Aba Road as the service will
originate from Port Harcourt through Diobu
Market Halt, Diobu Halt, D/Line, Trans- Amadi,
Elelenwo, Kom-kom and terminate at Imo
River station.

"We will also be commencing the popular
Enugu-EhaAmufu Train Service passing
through Emene, Timber-shed, Ogbaho and
terminate at Eha-Amufu. "Regarding freight
services, we will be commencing Container
traffic from PH to major cities along the
Eastern line which include movement of PZ
Soup products from Aba and Grand cereal
products from Jos," Sijuwade added.

He therefore thanked the Jonathan led apex
government for his untiring efforts in
rebuilding and modernising the rail transport
system. Briefing newsmen before the project
commissioning, the Chairman of the Subsidy
Reinvestment and Empowerment
Programme, Sure-P, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai
(rtd), said the successful completion and
official flag off of the railway line was a proof
of the commitment on the part of the Federal
Government to infrastructural development.

Agwai said the reintroduction of railway
system of transportation in Nigeria will
enhance safer transportation and boost
commercial activities across the country,
even as he recalled the beauty of rail
transportation with a sense of nostalgia that
"The rail transportation was one of the most
convenient means of movement and
integration of all zones of the country."
In his message of goodwill, which was rather
instructive, Abia State Governor, Chief
Theodor Orji said the Nigeria Civil War
(1967-1970) partly disrupted the railways
system, describing the flag-off as historic.

"The railway by-passes Abia State and passes
through Enugu. We are extremely happy that
this development (flag-off) is happening
before us.

"Those of you who were born before 1970,
you will realize the importance of railway
system in our transportation system. It was
the major carrier of goods and services from
the North to the South and from the South to
the North. "People travelled safely,
comfortably and cheaply.

But the war came and disrupted everything.
It is on record that all government since then,
it is the government of President Jonathan
that has revived the railways and is moving it
forward.
It is this government that taking the rail from
one state to another, with services that are
affecting us positively,"Orji said.
Wounding off the goodwill messages, Deputy
Managing Director of Eser West Africa
Limited, one of the contracting firm handling
the railway rehabilitation project, Mr. Joan
Adologu expressed happiness that it was
handing over the PH-Enugu Railway to the
NRC.
Posted By David Aniemeka

Residents brace for cold as harmattan bites harder

Harmattan season is here again. The signs
are not only obvious, it is ominous. Here at
the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, residents
are stalled with the daily experience thrown
up by the raging cold.

Young and old are affected by this occasioned
weather transition, as they strive to change
existing lifestyles to adapt to the dry season
which usually sets in between the months of
November and March each year,
characterised with dry dusty air, cold
temperature during early hours of the
morning and evening, whereas during the
day there is usually a hot temperature to deal
with.

A glance through Abuja revealed that most
residents including children have inculcated
panty hose to their dressing, just as Jackets,
cardigans, thick stockings, hand gloves,
fashionable scarves and muffle rs are
gradually beginning to make a re-appearance
on the scene to control the effect of the cold.

Speaking to Inside FCT, a roadside vendor
Rosemary Ochege said "when harmattan just
started, I could still dress normally all through
the day but since last week, I have to wear
thick socks and cardigans in the mornings
and evenings because the cold has increased.

According to the mother of five, the cold was
not an excuse to stay off the streets if her
family must not go hungry for the day.0

Aminu Salifu, a bike man in one of the
suburbs in the Federal Capital Territory said
as a result of the biting cold, before he starts
his operations at night, he goes back home to
put on about two shirts, a thick cardigan, two
trousers, a socks and face cap.

In spattered Pidgin English, he took Inside
FCT through his daily ordeal in the hands of
harmattan "in the morning, afternoon and
evening, I dress differently because if I fall ill
due to cold my family will go hungry.

"I am always very dusty and dirty due to the
nature of roads we have here. Most of them
are very bad and because I have to make
money for my family, I disregard the dust and
take my passengers there.

"If it is in the morning or night, I might
charge a little bit extra to ply bad routes
because I know some of my colleagues will
avoid taking passengers to such places for
fear of dust.

"Before the harmattan became too serious, I
go home to change my clothing in the
afternoon and evening because it is usually
very cold in the mornings and nights while
the afternoons are hot but these days with
the increased harmattan, I wear the same
outfit all through the day because the
weather is too windy and dusty and the cold
has seriously increased.

Olayinka Johnson a pharmacist had
associated the recorded increase in the sale
of condoms, birth control pills and flu drugs
to the cold season.

"Since the cold started getting tougher, there
have been several cases of severe cold and as
expected, we have recorded more sales of
catarrh and cold drugs including analgesic
drugs".

"Also, during the dry season every year, we
witness increased demand in some protective
products such as condoms, contraceptives
and dust masks to prevent dusts from getting
into the lungs which can cause more harm"

From experience as a health expert, Dr.
Christopher Enyigwe noted it was necessary
to protect the lungs from invasion of small
particles in the air which could be carrying
viruses dangerous to health, by putting on
respirator or dust mask as it is popularly
known.

Enyigwe added that "usually during the dry
season, we advice people to ensure they take
a lot of water to control their level of
dehydration which can result from sweat,
frequent urination or talking. More also, there
is always an increased thirst for water
because this period, the throat dries up
easily".

Victoria Ogunleye, an asthmatic patient, told
Inside FCT she would trade anything to have
the rainy season extend and cover the
harmattan period which she said is always
detrimental to her health.

"I prefer the rainy season to harmattan. These
days I am very cautious of the places I go to
and how much time I spend outside the
house so as to reduce the rate of dust I might
inhale as well as try to protect myself from
catching cold unnecessarily. The last thing an
asthmatic patient will wish for is an asthmatic
crisis.

In addition, she explained that during
harmattan, some people could experience
cases of dry skins and skin cracks, lip cracks,
hair breakage or cracks on the sole of their
feet easily.

Ogunleye advised that oily creams or
Vaseline could be used to stop further
breakage or dry skins and lip balm could be
applied constantly to reduce cases of lip
cracks during this period.

A Nurse, Maxwell Turi, also advised families
to take extra care in protecting the young and
elderly from unnecessary exposures to severe
cold which he said was the major cause of
pneumonia.

"I see some children and old people not
properly covered, this is not wise because
these set of people are bound to be brought
down with pneumonia faster than the young
and very active in society. During this period,
they need thick clothing especially those
susceptible to pneumonia.

"Annoyingly, I still see some ladies in the
name of fashion exposing theme selves to
severe cold especially at night. Nigerian
ladies need to understand that not all
dressing is appropriate for some weather
conditions. They can get a jacket or
pantyhose to complement their outfit rather
than go about smiling but shivering and
suffering in the hands of cold.

"Parents should also watch their children
closely and keep them far away from taking
cold drinks and food especially this festive
period and also keep them away from cold
environment. For those living in houses that
are tiled, they should ensure they keep their
feet warm constantly by putting on thick
socks or slippers even in the house".

Inside FCT also discovered that more people
this period wear protective spectacles to shed
their eyes only from the blazing sun, but
against dust particles carried by the wind
which could cause itching in the eyes and
redness in an occasion of eye infection due to
foreign bodies in the eye.

Posted By David Aniemeka

So much for Christmas

The truth is that nobody knows for sure the
exact day that Jesus Christ was born. The
choice of December 25 is symbolic. Pope
Julius I, chose that day in the 4th century as a
subtle way of blighting pagan celebration of
Saturnalia in the bud. This has been a
consistent feature of Christianity and the
logic is simple. By superimposing Christian
celebrations on pagan own, especially in the
infancy of Christianity, the influence of
paganism waned. Even till now, most
churches are built in forests that were
considered as belonging to evil spirits. This is
a proven evangelism tool, and this is the
same logic by which Christmas came to
overshadow the pagan saturnalia

A yearly ritual, Christmas is here again. It has
come to be associated with fanfare of the
Epicurean dimension. People now look
longingly to its coming. Because of its very
nature, it is only a few that even know that
Easter is considered as more profound and by
far more significant than Christmas.

One of the things that make Christmas
popular is the fact that it takes place towards
the end of the year, an ideal time for stock-
staking, to determine how one has fared for
the year. The fact that it is usually a public
holiday has contributed to its popularity.

By third week to Christmas, its preparations
are usually at a crescendo. Traffic all over the
country becomes heavy because of so many
people travelling home for the celebration. It
is a month of joy, a month of sharing and a
month of introspection. It is a month that is
particularly gratifying to our parents/relations
in the villages, whose food stores will be
replenished. It is also a month with a fair
share of troubles and tribulations. We have
actually seen people who committed suicide
because they felt they were denied what it
takes to celebrate a worthy Christmas. See
these people's reactions whenever Christmas
approaches. Some will roll while others will
wail on the ground. Their tales are usually
that of a year bent on frustrating them and
their efforts. As a way of keeping themselves
out of circulation, against popular tide, they
will decide not to travel home for Christmas,
until, perhaps, the economy improves.

Honestly, Christmas drives a lot of people out
of their wits. It may sound incredible, but it is
true that some people's ideas about
Christmas end with a great celebration,
where people go and show of. The people
that think thus are those that will take all the
money they have or even borrow from friends
to buy cars for Christmas. They do not end at
this. They also spend their last money in
buying expensive cloths; jewels and other
ornaments. This is the epicurean dimension
we earlier talked about.

To some women, Christmas is a time of
dressing competition. There are many social
occasions lined up; each has its own dress.
Women at this time are usually moving
showcases of their husbands' prosperity.
Even though Christmas is for festivity and is
longed for, some women actually decline
travelling on the reason that they are not
prepared. Preparations in this case have to
do with being able to procure enough cloths
to terrorise other women.

Youngsters are not left out. Those in the
flower of their maturity, in whom the light of
puberty has just been lit, often have in mind
to travel and announce to everybody that
they have come of age. They dress in
inconceivable manners that will drive
beholders' eyes all the more to wantonness.
They will, however, discover that even those
in the villages dress likewise. In their
inexperience, they strive to be the talk of the
town. Some of them, the grown up ones, who
have come of age to marry are made to travel
home in Christmas, for the possibility of
catching the prancing eyes of some eligible
bachelors.

Christmas, in its very conception, is supposed
to be a positive feast/celebration, but like
everything else, it has been corrupted. Wait
till January, after the effects of Christmas
festivities wear down, you will hear the tales
of people suffering from one outrageous
disease or the other. Some of these diseases
are only metaphysically explicable. Also, by
January, most of the housemaid that travelled
for Christmas will be sent back to their
homes. Tongues will wag; people will guess
why the sudden "repatriation" until their
tummies start to bulge in four/five months
time. So much for Christmas!

Frankly, Christmas is supposed to be a joyful
season. Is it? It is a temptation-filled season
instead. Come to think about the antics of
the boys who are undergoing apprenticeship
in different places (umuboyi). From January
to December, these people will start saving
monies they pilfer from their masters. By
December they will have a few thousands.
Guess what? They will spend it in such a
vulgar manner as if they were going to die
the next day. They drink, they spray, they
give to girls, they go to parties, and they
indulge in other vices common to their ages.
After seeing such indulgence, some boys of
their age will think that all is now well with
them. In their delusions, they will announce
defiantly their intentions to stop schooling
and take to trading. They do this without
realizing that most of those boys actually live
like slaves under the tutelages of their
masters. So much for Christmas!

Christmas lasts for a few days, but its
disturbing memories linger on. At Christmas,
people make friends. Adolescents meet each
other, go to functions together, attend night
Masses together, and get infatuated with one
another. Very soon they go back to their
respective schools. The first few months of
getting back to schools are usually
characterized by tension between studies and
the 6th commandment. You will see students
who cannot hold the definitions of subjects
that have been taught many times retaining
the pictures of the fair forms they have seen
but once. In attempting to read, they will,
rather than see the letters they are reading,
be confronted with the images of those fair
forms. So much for Christmas!

Christmas is also a period that brings out the
true images of some of us. Look at what our
church founders do in this season. It has
become a season of crusades, with pastors
advertising for people to come for miracles,
prosperity, signs and wonders. Preaching at
this time is usually tailored to remind people
who have made it to come and thank the Lord
with their tithes. They also remind those who
have not made it to come and draw spiritual
strength to enable them make it the next
year.
Christmas is a feast which very conception is
noble and spiritually enriching. The fact now
is that, different forces, which are struggling
over its soul, have hijacked it. It is supposed
to be a season of joy and peace. It is
inconceivable that some people in an attempt
to enjoy it, do grievous harm to themselves.
Some spend recklessly only to turn round and
look for where to get money to pay the
children's school fees. A lot of things are
wrong about our own conception of how
Christmas is celebrated. It is yet another
season that tests our maturity and calls for
circumspection.
Posted By David Aniemeka

Yvonne Nelson: They Say I’m A Lesbian Bcos I’m Not Married

In a recent chat with Ekerete Udoh in New York,
Gollywood actress Yvonne Nelson denied being a
Lesbian.

Ms Nelson said she only plays Lesbian role in movies
and as a professional, she must follow the script
given to her.

In her own words:

"Lesbianism is against my religious beliefs, it's
against my cultural norms and I think it was very
mischievous for people to insinuate such about
someone they hardly knew. The rumor was started
by a notorious website in Ghana last year when they
reported that they had never seen me with a man. In
their warped and twisted calculation, I was thus a
lesbian. Can you imagine such crass reasoning?

That they had not seen me with a man, and may
have seen me with my girlfriends going out to have
fun, and then automatically I was a lesbian. It was a
hatchet job – an attempt to discredit me, but they all
failed. I am heterosexual and would remain one till
the end. When you are in the public light as I have
been blessed and privileged to being, your life
becomes a public property and some mischievous
people will say all manner of things about you. It
comes with the territory, so I forgive them.

Posted By David Aniemeka

Nwaoha Uzoma, Ijede Lagos Police DPO Found Dead On Christmas Day

Sources at the station said he entered his office on
Christmas eve and locked himself in.

After all efforts to reach him proved abortive, anxious
relatives came to the station to look for him.
Policemen on duty reportedly forced the door of his
office open and found his corpse on the floor around
8:00 am on Christmas day.

The deceased who graduated from the University of
Calabar was the former DPO at Anthony Police station
before he was posted to Ijede Division on the 5th of
December 2014.

Family sources said he had High Blood Pressure but
his condition was not very serious.

His corpse had been deposited at St Raphael Hospital
morgue for autopsy.

May his soul rest in peace.

Posted By David Aniemeka

Chief Arthur Eze Cursed Igbo People Who Abandon Jonathan, Says They’ll Not Progress

During a political reception program organized for
First Lady Patience Jonathan by her maternal
kinsmen of Ohuhu clan in Umuahia North Local
Government Area of Abia State, one of the major
financiers of the PDP in Abia State, Chief Arthur Eze
said Jonathan was God-sent to console Ndigbo after
decades of marginalisation and neglect.

He urged the people to remain steadfast in their
support for him.

He said, "Any Igbo person who abandons
Jonathan will not progress."

He recalled that Jonathan remained the only Nigerian
President that had genuinely identified with the
cause of Ndigbo.

In his speech, Governor Theodore Orji restated the
willingness of the people of the state and Ndigbo in
general to vote for Jonathan in 2015, describing him
as a true in-law of the state.

"Abia will be the last state to abandon Jonathan," Orji
said, noting that the President had shown enough
interest in the state. "Hence, he deserves their
unalloyed support," he said.

This is serious, why curse your people, don't they
have right to choose who to vote for again?
Posted By David Aniemeka

10 Signs That You Are A Woman Now

This is a counter thread created by emusmith

I grew up with the mentality that age doesnt
define maturity. Below are the signs that you
are now evolving into a WOMAN of VIRTUE

10 Signs You Are A Woman Now

1. You Stop Pretending You Hate Sex
A matured lady doesn't pretend she hates sex
'cause she knows she will be regarded as an
hypocrite. Even if she doesn't like it, she
rather keeps shut or she even talks about it
instead of squeezing her face as if she just
took yoyo bitters at the mention of sex just as
some girls do

2. A Matured Lady Does Not Advertise
Her Virginity
When a woman still has her virginity, hardly
would you even know rather than those who
will advertise and show to their friends that
they are so determined and disciplined

3. You Stop Keeping Magas
You are now evolving into a woman the
moment you realize the idea of keeping
corresponding magas doesn't dignify you.
You need to have the mentality that a lady
also has to hustle to meet ends need and pull
your resources together in order to make your
man's dream
come true

4. No King Rules Forever
A woman has it at the back of her mind that
no king rules forever, therefore, she utilizes
any opportunity rather than screening men
like Gulder Ultimate Search Audition.. It's
funny some ladies lack foresight, therefore,
they feel they will remain on top of the game
forever.

5. You Stop Changing Boyfriends Like
Bathroom Slippers
A woman is more concerned about her dating
record rather than those who take pleasure in
promiscuity because they feel their past has
little or no impact on their future, therefore,
they treat men harshly cos they believe
they've got many of them at the snip of their
fingers

6. You Appreciate Little Things
Little things trip we guys. It's not until a man
empties his bank account for you before you
show mind of appreciation. When a dude
sends you ordinary N100 recharge card,
appreciate it and show to him that money is
not plucked from trees

7.The Dignity Of A Lady Does Not Only
Lie In Her Kitty-Cat
A mature lady possesses basic qualities why
immature ladies place so much emphasis on
virginity (for those who still have it). A
woman Possess basic qualities that will make
a man see beyond her kitty-cat or bosoms

8. Swallow Your Pride
A woman humbles herself before people
regardless of her class and she's not
brainwashed by the shakara associated with
university education, beauty, fashion and her
father's wealth. However, she doesn't feel
pompous or behaves like a donkey cos her
parents has made her realize how beautiful
she is and that she's from a wealthy home,
therefore, a man has to treat her like the
Queen of England

9. You Are Not Easily Moved
It takes the grace of God for a lady not to be
moved by a motor car or fall for sugar-coated
dudes. Many ladies quickly make up their
mind at the sight of motor car and little
deceit. A woman is patient, not gullible and
looks beyond the motor car of a man

10. Your World Does Not Revolve
Around Money
You don't need to have a million b4 you can
show to a guy that you are not a slave to
money. A man will always ride and enslave
you when your world revolves around money.
A matured lady sees a man's money as
bonus. There's no man on the surface of this
earth who wouldn't respect a woman who
shows to him that his money is just a bonus

Posted By David Aniemeka