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EDO TRAIN ATTACK: Nigerians pray for divine intervention; FMOT ritually Condemns Passengers’ Kidnapping

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KASALLA: 2 Village Chiefs, 5 Others Arrested over Edo Train Attack

The daring terrorist’s attack on Tom Ikimi Train Station, Igueben may have sent more Nigerians into fervent prayers, particularly those with family members missing, even as Government’s pledge to competently protect passengers goes in tatters.

Recall that the Government, arrow-headed by the Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo had, following the year 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack, which left several passengers dead or injured; and over 60 persons kidnapped had ignited frantic and almost believable pledges from Sambo, who vowed, that not only would water-tight protective, security measures be entrenched nationwide, but that Government would not reopen the route, until it was certain that chances of any recurrence were totally foreclosed, nationwide.

Consequently, Nigerians were misled to believe that reliable, ‘electronic eyes’ had been introduced, even as the Minister celebrated a phantom introduction of a criterium: compulsory submission of National Identify Numbers (NIN), before boarding any Nigerian train.

The Saturday Igueben attack in Edo State obviously has not helped matters. The terrorists not only picked the Station Manager, to show who was truly in charge of the game, but they also picked the Station Head of Security, before descending heavily, on about 29 innocent, hapless passengers.

“It’s easy to know an unserious Government”, an aggrieved family member of a kidnapped passenger told the Maritime First, stressing that the authorities woefully failed to protect her breadwinner.

Speaking in the same vein, another woman who simply identified herself as Gladys said what should have given her the greatest consolation is now giving her the greatest nightmare.

“My heart sank when the Police, few moments ago, told us that they have begun ‘bush combing’. Can you believe that? I had thought they were using drones!”, she pointedly indicated in painful exasperation!

When reminded that about six persons were already rescued via the same method, she countered that none of the six were members of her family!

Another man, whose name could not be obtained, however while soliloquizing and lamenting the Saturday attack, vividly recalled that a Government which failed to bring the attackers of the Kaduna Train Station to book, last year, cannot honestly, claim innocence of the current attack. 

In his sorrows, he particularly noted that the euphoria that welcomed the alleged payment of ransom and release of the last batch, greatly attested, to the authorities cluelessness and thoughtless bungling of the rescue exercise.

In the meantime, the Edo Police Command Public Relations Officer, Police Superintendent, Chidi Nwabuzor has indicated that Bush combing operations were currently ongoing; and 6 persons, all victims of the Tom Ikimi Train Station attack have been rescued; while all relevant agencies intensify efforts towards a timely release of other victims, to enable them, also be reunited with their families.

The Maritime First had earlier gathered, through the State Police Command sitrep, that dare devil terrorists, armed to the teeth with AK 47 on Saturday, swooped on the Igueben Train Station, at about 4.00 pm, shooting sporadically in the air, before finally herding the Station Manager, the Head of Station Security, and about 29 other hapless passengers away, in a cherry- picking manner.

In another development however, the Federal Ministry of Transportation has condemned as ‘despicable and utterly barbaric’, the kidnapping of passengers at Tom Ikimi Train Station, Igueben Edo State. 

The Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, in a statement made available by the Director Press & Public Relations, Henshaw Ogubike also reassured the public, that the security Agencies were already making efforts to rescue the kidnapped Train passengers. 

“The Nigerian Police is on the trail of the criminals and have mobilised with a view to protecting the lives and property of the remaining passengers.

“The Government is saddened by this unpleasant development and assures on its prompt response to the ugly situation”, Sambo stated further, assuring that further details on efforts and results would be communicated later.

Education

Children’s Day: London Academy Business School Celebrates Nigerian Children

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...Reiterates commitment to provide high-quality education to Nigerian Child***
Dr. Larry, the Director of London Academy Business School (LABS), joined other Nigerian leaders from other industries to celebrate children on children's Day. In his words, Dr. Larry stated that children remind us of the future.
While speaking to reporters, he emphasized the aura of love that children create in the homes and throughout society, Also that "the joy and happiness from children are amazing, sufficient enough to drive energy for nation building."

Dr. Larry also advocated for effective child protection policies and implementation, urging all critical stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and the government, to protect and celebrate children.
  To ensure that high-quality education is available to children in Nigeria, London Academy Business School has established a Lagos Study Centre with state of the art facility and modern technology with plans to expand across all cities in Nigeria.

Dr. Jones-Esan, who has big plans to change the face of education in Nigeria, has also urged the government and private stakeholders to work with him and his team of professionals to change the face of education in Nigeria. He claims that many children have big potentials but can't realise them because they're not in school.
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Tinubu To Adopt Price Control Mechanism For Agro Products

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… Vows to Defend Nigeria From Terror, Criminality – Tinubu***

President Bola Tinubu says he will take steps to ensure price control for agricultural products.

Tinubu said this in his inaugural address on Monday in Abuja.

According to him, rural income shall be secured by commodity exchange boards guaranteeing minimal prices for certain crops and animal products.

He said that agricultural hubs would be created throughout the nation to increase production and engage in value-added processes.

“The livestock sector will be introduced to best modern practices and steps taken to minimise the perennial conflict over land and water resources in the sector.

“Through these actions, food shall be made more abundant yet less costly. Farmers shall earn more while the average Nigerian pays less,” he said.

On foreign policy, Tinubu said that the crisis in Sudan and the turn from democracy by several nations in “our immediate neighbourhood were of pressing concern”.

He said that his primary foreign policy objective would be the peace and stability of the West African continent.

“We shall work with ECOWAS, the AU, and willing partners in the international community to end extant conflicts and to resolve new ones.

“As we contain threats to peace, we shall also retool our foreign policy to more actively lead the regional and continental quest for collective prosperity, ” he said.

The President called on all Nigerians, irrespective of political affiliations, to support his government in his bid to take Nigeria to greater heights.

“Our administration will govern on your behalf but never rule over you.

“We shall consult and dialogue with, but never dictate. We shall reach out to all but never put down a single person for holding views contrary to our own.

“We are here to further mend and heal this nation not tear and injure it,” he said.

In the meantime, President, Bola Tinubu, has promised to defend Nigeria from terror and all forms of criminality threatening the peace and stability of the country and the sub-region.

Tinubu said this in his inaugural address after he was sworn in as the 16th democratically elected president of Nigeria on Monday in Abuja.

He said that security shall be the top priority of his administration, saying that neither prosperity nor justice could prevail amidst insecurity and violence.

“To effectively tackle this menace, we shall reform both our security Doctrine and its Architecture.

“We shall invest more in our security personnel, and this means more than an increase in number.

“We shall provide, better training, equipment, pay and firepower,” he said.

Tinubu said his mission was to improve the lives of Nigerians in a manner that nurtured humanity, encourage compassion toward one another, and duly rewards collective effort to resolve the social ills that sought to divide the nation.

“Our constitution and laws give us a nation on paper, saying we must work harder at bringing these noble documents to life by strengthening the bonds of economic collaboration, social cohesion, and cultural understanding,” he said.

He called for the development of a shared sense of fairness and equity, adding that the South must not only seek good for itself but must understand that its interests were served when good come to the North.

“The North must see the South likewise.

“Whether from the winding creeks of the Niger Delta, the vastness of the northern savannah, the boardrooms of Lagos, the bustling capital of Abuja, or the busy markets of Onitsha, you are all my people.

“As your president, I shall serve with prejudice toward none but compassion and amity towards all.

“In the coming days and weeks, my team will publicly detail key aspects of our programme,” he said.

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Economy

Fuel Subsidy Removal: Don Predicts Reduction In Fuel Price

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Prof. AbdulGafar Ijaiya of the Department of Economics, University of Ilorin, has expressed optimism at President Bola Tinubu’s inaugural remarks on the removal of fuel subsidies, saying this may reduce prices at the long run.

Ijaiya, who spoke on Monday in Ilorin, observed that with commitment from the Federal Government in revamping existing refineries alongside Dangote refineries, will increase the availability of petroleum products.

The expert who however explained that though such effect may not be felt immediately, noted that the present pump price is about N200, depending on filling stations across the country.

He questioned if the present fuel price at about N200 was as a result of the subsidy removal, adding that if it is not, then fuel may likely increase with about 50 per cent rate after the removal.

“But the thing is that very soon, what has gone wrong with the refineries will be corrected and Dangote refineries will commence by July/August,” he said.

Ijaiya, who teaches in the Faculty of Social Sciences of the university, pointed out that in the beginning there might be an increase in the prices of foods and services.

He however asserted that in a society like Nigeria where people are used to hike in prices, it would not mean much to the citizens.

“By Economics principle, we have adjusted our expenditure profile consumption to particular items. We have moved from consuming luxury and unnecessary items to necessary items.

“This means people go for what is necessary and do away with those that are not,” he said.

Ijaiya affirmed that in the long run, the fuel pump price will adjust downward and there would be more supply of the products.

He further added that when there are more supply of a particular product in the market, it will automatically reduce the price.

“If we have enough supply, with time and there are no other man-made distortion that has to do with our behaviour, I see us buying it between N80 and N100 per litre,” he predicted.

The economist also foresee filling station advertising and competing for sales, saying it will be good for the nation.

He, however, cautioned that “we are in an uncertain world”, but maintained that fuel subsidy removal would be good for the country eventually as only a minority are benefiting from it.

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