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The Lagos State Government has taken delivery of an additional set of 24-car trains aimed at strengthening operations on the Lagos Red Line and expanding passenger capacity along the corridor.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu disclosed this on Thursday and noted that the new rolling stock is expected to improve service efficiency and significantly reduce waiting times for commuters, as the state continues to invest in rail transportation.

“We have received a new set of 24-car trains to reinforce the Lagos Red Line fleet. This will increase capacity, shorten wait times, and enhance the overall commuting experience for residents. Our goal remains to build a transport system that is efficient and dependable for all,” the governor said.

The Red Line, inaugurated in February 2024, spans approximately 37 kilometres, linking Agbado in Ogun State to Oyingbo on Lagos Island. The route passes through major districts such as Ikeja, Oshodi, Mushin, and Yaba, offering a vital mass transit option across some of the state’s busiest corridors.

Developed as part of Lagos’ comprehensive rail master plan, the Red Line operates alongside the standard gauge track of the Nigerian Railway Corporation and connects with the Lagos Blue Line at designated interchange points, supporting the state’s drive toward an integrated, multimodal transport system.

Since its inauguration, the line has recorded increasing patronage, reflecting growing demand for faster and more reliable alternatives to road transport in a city long affected by traffic congestion.

The initiative forms part of broader efforts by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority to expand rail services and improve connectivity across the state. Authorities are also exploring plans to extend the Red Line beyond its current endpoints and integrate it with bus rapid transit and water transport networks.

Lagos acquires new trains to boost red line operations

The Niger State Government has announced plans to strengthen immunization efforts across 10 local government areas identified as having a high burden of zero-dose children, with the aim of reaching affected communities within the next eight months.

Zero dose children are infants who have not received any routine vaccinations, specifically missing the first dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis-containing vaccine (DTP1) in their first year.

Speaking at a Socialization Meeting on the Republic of Korea (ROK)–United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) partnership grant for the maintenance and strengthening of immunization and essential health services in the selected LGAs, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Murtala Bagana, attributed the challenge largely to insecurity and the presence of hard-to-reach communities.

The Commissioner, represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Abdullah Imam, commended UNICEF and the Republic of Korea for their support.

He urged the benefiting LGAs which include Bida, Chanchaga, Edati, Gurara, Katcha, Kontagora, Mariga, Rafi, Suleja, and Wushishi to take ownership of the programme to strengthen routine immunization and outreach services at both facility and community levels.

According to him, “As a state, we are doing everything possible to ensure insecurity is curbed. We can all see its negative impact, and everybody is worried.”

“It is not enough to plan for zero-dose cases; we should plan to eliminate them entirely. Every child that is not immunized is exposed and poses a risk to others,” he added.

The Executive Director of the Niger State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Inuwa Junaidu, noted that the state faces significant challenges, including insecurity and banditry due to its proximity to Zamfara, Kebbi, Kogi, and Kaduna States.

He further explained that a rapid assessment was conducted to identify LGAs contributing most to the zero-dose burden.

“With support from the Korean Government and UNICEF, we are working to ensure that all zero-dose children are identified and vaccinated within the eight-month period,” he said.

Junaidu added that the plan includes identifying, enumerating, and vaccinating eligible children in order to reduce the zero-dose burden to the barest minimum in the state.

In his goodwill message, UNICEF Health Specialist from the Kaduna Field Office, Dr. Ahmed Tsofo, said the success of the programme would depend on strong collaboration with the state government.

“UNICEF will stand shoulder to shoulder with you to ensure the success of this project,” he said.

He noted that Nigeria bears the highest global burden of zero-dose children, estimated at 2.1 million, with states including Adamawa, Bauchi, the FCT, Lagos, Niger, and Ogun among the most affected.

He added that the coverage gaps have contributed to repeated outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases such as diphtheria, measles, and cholera, with insecurity remaining a major barrier to reaching vulnerable children.

Immunization: Niger, Korea, UNICEF to tackle high burden of zero-dose children

MSport, one of the biggest and best betting platforms in Africa, has launched its latest TVC campaign, Play Where You Belong, in partnership with Chelsea Football Club. The campaign captures a simple but powerful idea: football starts before kick-off — in preparation, in decision-making, and in the moments where fans choose to take part in the game.

A User First Platform Built Around Real Football Behaviour

At the heart of Play Where You Belong is MSport’s User First philosophy — a defining approach that positions MSport among the best betting platforms for football fans in Africa. Today’s fans are no longer passive spectators. They analyse matches, follow performance trends, and make decisions throughout the game.

MSport is designed around this reality — supporting users at every stage of their matchday journey, from preparation to real-time engagement. This is what positions MSport among the biggest and best betting platforms, not just in scale, but in how it serves its users across key markets like Nigeria and Ghana.

Global Partnership, Local Experience

Through its partnership with Chelsea Football Club, MSport connects global football excellence with local fan behaviour. By combining world-class football assets with a deep understanding of African users, MSport ensures that its platform reflects how football is truly experienced across markets like Nigeria and Ghana — not just how it is traditionally marketed.

This alignment between global credibility and local relevance further reinforces MSport’s position as one of the biggest and best betting platforms in Africa, and a trusted name among football betting platforms in Nigeria and Africa.

A Platform That Rewards Every Moment of the Game

Built around its User First betting experience, MSport delivers a product ecosystem that supports users before, during, and beyond the match. Features such as early payout options (1UP & 2UP) allow users to secure wins as soon as their team takes the lead, while live match engagement and real-time rewards keep users connected to every key moment.

Alongside this, daily promotions, free bet incentives, and surprise rewards ensure that every session offers continuous opportunities to win — reinforcing MSport’s position as one of the biggest and best betting platforms in Nigeria and Africa, where preparation, timing, and participation are consistently rewarded.

Explore the latest MSport promotions and unlock more winning opportunities here: https://www.msport.com/ng/web/discounts

From Product Experience to Real Participation

Built on its User First approach, MSport is not only designed to support how users engage with football — it also creates opportunities for them to express it. Play Where You Belong extends beyond the platform into a broader campaign experience, where users can bring their matchday preparation and passion into the spotlight.

Users are encouraged to: Share their matchday rituals; Engage with campaign content; Express how they prepare for the game. Selected participants may gain access to exclusive opportunities, bridging online interaction with real-world experiences. This reflects a natural evolution in football culture: From watching the game to actively participating in it.

Built on Scale, Driven by Users

As MSport continues to grow across Africa, its position as one of the biggest and best betting platforms is reinforced not only by its scale but by its commitment to delivering a User First betting platform experience. From product innovation to campaign execution, every element is aligned around one principle: Putting users first — and redefining what it means to be among the best betting platforms in Africa.

Play Where You Belong

Football begins before kick-off — in the preparation, in the belief, and in the moment you decide to take part. That’s where you belong. www.msport.com

MSport x Chelsea FC: Play where you belong, the game starts before kick-off

President Bola Tinubu is currently meeting with the 36 state coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors at the Presidential Villa.

Others in attendance at the meeting include Vice President Shettima, APC governors, APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and other party leaders.

On November 25th, 2025, President Tinubu established the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA) appointing Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State as the Renewed Hope Ambassador.

The RHA was established to promote Tinubu policies and support his bid for re-election in 2027.

2027: Tinubu meets Renewed Hope Ambassadors, APC leaders in Presidential Villa

The House of Representatives on Thursday commenced an investigative hearing into insurance coverage for the N1.12 trillion Anchor Borrowers’ Scheme…

Big Brother Naija Season 4 winner, Mercy Eke, has shared her views on fame and money, saying she can trade her fame for two billion dollars

The Lagos State Government has commenced moves to introduce a unified academic calendar for the 2026/2027 session for both public and private schools across the state.

A statement issued by the Lagos State government said the process was flagged off on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Office of Education Quality Assurance (OEQA) at the NUT Pavilion in Alausa, Ikeja.

Speaking at the meeting, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani Alli-Balogun, called for stronger cooperation among stakeholders, stressing the need for accountability, teamwork and strict adherence to laid-down standards in schools.

He explained that the proposed calendar, when finalised, would be compulsory for all schools, covering key areas such as teaching periods, holidays and examination timelines.

According to him, the initiative is designed to promote uniformity across the education system and improve learning outcomes, noting that inclusive participation is vital for lasting progress.

Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Abisola Dokunmu-Adegbite, described a harmonised academic calendar as essential for continuity, efficiency and long-term planning in the education sector.

Represented by the Director of Basic Education, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Oyedele, she urged stakeholders to contribute practical and workable ideas that would strengthen the process.

On his part, the Director-General of OEQA, Dr. Sulaimon Olagoke Ogunmuyiwa, stressed the importance of full compliance, warning that inconsistencies could weaken quality assurance efforts. He added that monitoring would be intensified to ensure adherence across schools.

Ogunmuyiwa also reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to better service delivery through its S.C.R.I.P.T.S framework, which focuses on staff capacity, collaboration, revenue, governance, professionalism and technology.

“Our vision is to become the leading educational quality assurance agency in Africa. Already, within Nigeria, people come to study what we do. But the key target is to be the best quality assurance agency in the world” Ogunmuyiwa said.

Earlier, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at OEQA, Mrs. Evelyn Pelemo, said the meeting marked the starting point of the calendar development process, aimed at gathering inputs, addressing emerging challenges and drawing up initial options for the 2026/2027 academic session.

She noted that the approach would ensure that the final calendar is practical, workable and widely accepted.

In his presentation, the Head of Policy, Planning and Training unit, Mr. David Ojelade, highlighted the importance of the academic calendar in maintaining order, coordination and efficiency within the school system.

He outlined key guidelines for the development process, including minimum instructional days, structured term periods, public holidays and breaks, as well as final validation.

Stakeholders at the meeting commended the initiative, noting that a unified calendar would create a smoother academic experience for students, teachers and parents.

Participants at the meeting included representatives of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LASUBEB), Association of Providers of Education in Nigeria (APEN), All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS), and the Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON).

Others in attendance were officials from the Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB), League of Muslim Proprietors (LEAMPS), Catholic Mission Schools, West Africa Examination Council (WAEC), Ministry of Health, and Government Model College, Ikorodu, among others.

Lagos moves to enforce unified academic calendar for public, private schools

The Nigeria Immigration Service has officially rejected a passport submitted by senior advocate Mike Ozekhome in a London property dispute tied to the estate of the late former FCT Minister, General Jeremiah Useni.

A senior NIS official made the disclosure on Thursday during ongoing trial proceedings at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, where Ozekhome (SAN) and Ponfa Useni are facing multiple charges of forgery, impersonation, and conspiracy.

Testifying as the first prosecution witness, Aridegbe Akim, Principal Staff Officer to the Comptroller General of Immigration, told the court that the passport, bearing number A07535463 and issued in the name of Tali Shani, has no record whatsoever in the NIS database.

Akim explained that the service operates a complete electronic system that logs every passport from application through to issuance, including biometric data and the holder’s National Identification Number (NIN).

“But, on inserting the name of Tali Shani, no record was found,” he said.

Under cross examination by defence lawyers Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) and F. R. Onoja (SAN), Akim further clarified that the NIS platform is designed to pull up the full history and profile of any passport instantly once basic details are entered. He outlined the multi layered passport issuance process from payment and breeder document generation to biometric capture, production, and final release, none of which exist for the disputed document.

Although the witness conceded that the passport visually resembles genuine Nigerian passports, he stressed that every authentic document carries a unique number linked to verifiable records in the system. Nigerian passports, he added, are machine readable and contain specific security features tied to manufacturer generated identification numbers.

The case revolves around allegations that Ozekhome and Useni forged key documents including the said international passport and an irrevocable power of attorney to press a claim over a property located at No. 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2, United Kingdom.

The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation has preferred a 12 count charge against the duo. The accusations include creating a fake passport in the name of a fictitious person, Tali Shani, to support the property claim, personation, abetment of personation, cheating by personation, and unlawful possession of suspected proceeds of crime.

After Akim concluded his testimony, lead prosecuting counsel A. R. Tahir asked for an adjournment to call the next witness. The defence raised no objection.

Justice Chizoba Oji adjourned the matter to May 18, 2026, for continuation of trial.

NIS Disowns Passport Submitted By Ozekhome In London Property Dispute is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The 2027 governorship election in Enugu State has taken an interesting turn.

This is as the immediate past Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji has joined the race.

DAILY POST recalls that Nnaji was the leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Enugu State before Governor Peter Mbah joined the broom party.

The former minister has now disclosed his intention to slug it out with Mbah in 2027, pledging to do a single term in respect of the zoning arrangement in the state.

Nnaji made the declaration during a consultative and interactive workshop with his political supporters in the state.

There have been concerns in the state over the zoning arrangement which entails that power will move to Enugu West Senatorial zone in 2031.

But Nnaji told his supporters that his decision to serve only one term was rooted in his commitment to the zoning arrangement in the state.

He said: “I want to state this clearly and without any ambiguity: I will serve only one term of four years if elected governor in 2027.

“This decision is deliberate. It is based on my deep respect for the zoning structure in Enugu State, which has helped to maintain political balance, fairness and unity among our people over the years.

“I am 100 per cent committed to this arrangement. By 2031, Enugu West Senatorial District should produce the next governor, and I have no intention whatsoever to truncate or disrupt that process. Leadership should not be driven by personal ambition, but by fairness, equity and the long-term stability of our state.

“Four years is enough to lay a solid foundation that will turn Enugu into an economic and industrial powerhouse, capable of generating sustainable wealth for both indigenes and non-indigenes,” he said.

“Enugu State is richly blessed with enormous economic potential, but unfortunately, these resources have either been untapped or poorly managed over the years,” he lamented.

He also stressed the importance of continuity beyond his proposed tenure, noting that he was already committed to supporting the emergence of a capable successor from Enugu West.

“I am not just thinking about four years; I am thinking about the future of Enugu State. By 2031, we must have someone from Enugu West who can continue and expand the economic and industrial blueprint we would have established. That is how development becomes sustainable,” he stated.

To drive home his argument that impactful governance does not depend on long years in office, Nnaji referenced the achievements of former governor of old Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo.

“Look at what Senator Jim Nwobodo achieved between 1979 and 1983. In just four years, he executed projects that many administrations could not accomplish in 20 years. That clearly shows that transformational leadership is not about how long you stay in office, but what you are able to do with the time you have,” he said.

2027: Ex-Minister, Uche Nnaji battles Gov Mbah, pledges single tenure

…says his administration has done well The Coordinator of the City Boy Movement in Oyo State, Chief Ahmed Ajibola, has said that the policies and reforms introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have brought relief and comfort to many Nigerian families. Ajibola made the remark in Ibadan during a programme organised by the Nigerian Union […]