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NRC plans to adopt use of natural gas for train operations .

— listed among 10 revenue earners for federal government.
Gloria Odion
The management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has concluded plans to adopt the use of Liquidfied Natural Gas(LNG) to power its locomotives.
The plan, according to the NRC, expected to cut costs of operations and enhance clean environment.
Dr Kayode Opeifa, the Managing Director of NRC who disclosed this in an interview, revealed that the Corporation has successfully demonstrated this technology for one month , signalling a major step toward cleaner, more efficient rail operations.
He disclosed that Lagos–Ibadan and Warri–Itakpe  will be used as the pilot routes for the new technology.
“We have completed the LNG prove of concept and demonstrated it for one month.
“As soon as we get gas systems to the Lagos–Ibadan and Warri–Itakpe corridors, where gas is readily available, and resolve all regulatory issues, we will use gas to generate electricity to power the trains,” Opeifa declared.
Opeifa noted that adopting LNG aligns with Nigeria’s gas expansion agenda and will significantly cut operating costs while improving energy security for the rail sector.
Meanwhile, the NRC boss claimed that the Corporation has been listed amongst the top 10 contributors to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the year 2025.
Quoting the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) latest report for 2025, Dr Opeifa said the corporation came tops among revenue generating Federal MDAs that is contributing to the growth of the nation’s GDP.
Opeifa however listed vandalism, washouts and poor funding as the biggest challenge of the corporation in the outgone year, insisting that though the Federal Government has been very magnanimous in giving the NRC more than it generates, yet, more funding, he said ,is needed to enable the corporation operate optimally.
The NRC MD,who disclosed that both the narrow and standard gauge are working in Nigeria, said plans are on to embark on aggressive recovery of locomotives, wagons and other rolling stocks in order to improve on rail efficiency.
Opeifa also outlined an ambitious expansion plan for the national rail network.
 He noted that the corporation would soon unveil its national rail roadmap to expand the national rail network from about 4,000 to 10,000 kilometres over the next five years.
According to him, Nigeria currently has about 4,000 kilometres of rail tracks, but the target is to reach 10,000 kilometres within the next five years and about 20,000 kilometres in the next 20 years.
“In the next five years, we hope to double the length of tracks to about 10,000 kilometres. By another 10 years after that, we want to move Nigeria to about 20,000 kilometres of rail lines,” he said.
He stressed that achieving these targets will require substantial private-sector participation, adding that government budgets alone cannot fund the scale of investment required for the rail sector.
“Our doors are open to the private sector for concessioning and other partnerships.
” The government is willing to provide sovereign guarantees for railway investments as is done globally. The rail system is open because our budget alone cannot fund it,” he said.
He revealed that despite security concerns, the rail has continued to move, lauding the team of railway engineers and other artisans whose expertise have continued to sustain railway operations across the country.
 He urged for community ownership of railway assets as the only deterrence to vandalization adding that while the corporation, assisted by the security operatives would continue to fine tune the security architecture, there is need for community ownership, especially along the Warri-Itakpe axis, where he lamented that the corporation have had to replace every inch of the kilometer of train tracks due to the activities of vandals on the route.
Looking ahead, Opeifa said the NRC is introducing digital systems and planning major network expansions, including the completion of the Lagos–Kano line, the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri corridor, and the linking of Ajaokuta to Abuja to enable seamless travel from the Southern part of Nigeria to the North.
The NRC, he added, is collaborating with several state governments, including Lagos, Zamfara, Plateau, Niger and Ogun, to boost the use of rail assets adding that the corporation would be willing to work with partners, including state and the private sector.
Already, some private operators are already taking advantage of new opportunities in the sector, he said.
“We now have private sector operators getting licences to run on our tracks.
” About 28 logistics companies including the CCEC Nigeria Limited, are already licensed to move goods from Apapa Port either to Oyingbo, or Papalanto, Kajola, Omi Adio and Moniya, and Osogbo.
“If you have the resources to bring in locomotives and rolling stock, we will give you access to our tracks at no extra charge because we know that once the tracks are in use, the economy benefits,” Opeifa said.
Opeifa, who described what he met a year ago as a railway that was under the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), added that with the cooperation of the workers, the railway has moved out of the ICU and is now ready to fly.
He added that the corporation has revived investor’s confidence and interest in the rail sector, noting that several licences have already been taken up in recent weeks, a development he described as a vote of confidence in Nigeria’s evolving rail future.
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IWD: SIFAX distributes 500 food packs to Ijora community, empowers staff 

Geraldine Samuel, Senior Correspondent 
In a series of impactful activities spanning a school outreach, an employee empowerment webinar and a community food donation drive, SIFAX Group has marked the 2026 International Women’s Day with a multi-pronged initiative that touched the lives of hundreds of girls, women employees and vulnerable residents in Lagos.
One of the highlights of the celebration was an outreach programme to United Christian Secondary School, Apapa, Lagos, where over 500 girls received mentorship from senior female employees of the company.
 The session covered topics such as leadership, education, personal development and menstrual health awareness.
There was also a donation of textbooks to the school, menstrual pads, as well as perfumes to the students.
The speakers drew from personal career experiences to motivate the students, urging them to remain focused on their education and resist distractions.
 They emphasised that determination and discipline could open doors across any field — from business and law to medicine, technology and the creative industries.
Jesuyemisi Odeyemi, Company Secretary and Legal Head of SIFAX Group, charged the students to strive for excellence without reservation.
 “You are strong. You can do it, and you will. You will not only do it, but you will also do it well, you will do it better,” she told the girls.
Vanessa Uansohia, Head of Corporate Communications at Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO), SIFAX Group’s aviation arm, also challenged the students to confront self-limiting beliefs.
 “The only person that is stopping you is yourself,” she said, encouraging the girls to pursue their ambitions with bold confidence.
As part of internal activities to mark the day, the company also organised an interactive webinar for female employees focused on strengthening communication and leadership capacity in the workplace.
Speaking on the topic, “Speaking: A Tool for Growth, Multiplication, and Career Progression,” Public Speaking Strategist, Joyce Daniels, urged participants to embrace public speaking as a catalyst for professional advancement, noting that confidence and conviction are the cornerstones of effective communication.
“If you will grow, multiply and have progression in your career, you will speak from a place of conviction,” she said, adding that impactful leaders distinguish themselves by their willingness to boldly articulate their ideas.
Wunmi Eniola-Jegede, Group Coordinating Director, SIFAX Group, described International Women’s Day as a moment to celebrate the social, economic and cultural achievements of women while renewing the call for gender equality.
“This year’s theme, Give to Gain, resonates deeply with our mission of inclusivity and empowerment.
” Every woman is a leader in her own right, and giving back creates growth opportunities for individuals, organisations and communities,” she said.
Extending its impact beyond the workplace, SIFAX Group also carried out a community outreach to Ijora where 500 bags of assorted food items were distributed to vulnerable households.
Each pack was assembled with essential household staples — rice, beans, vegetable oil, garri and salt, carefully curated to provide tangible relief to families within the community.
The distribution was conducted in collaboration with community leaders to ensure a transparent and orderly process.
Eniola-Jegede, who coordinated the outreach, noted that the initiative reflects the organisation’s culture of compassion and its determination to give back to the communities in which it operates.
She added that the exercise was also designed to amplify the message of International Women’s Day by encouraging women within the organisation to lead community interventions that uplift vulnerable groups.
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IWD: Mobereola, NIMASA DG, celebrates women for their contributions to maritime industry 

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter 

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) , Dr Dayo Mobereola, has applauded the contributions of women to the development of the Nigerian Maritime industry.

In a goodwill message to mark the 2026 International Women’s Day with the theme “Give to Gain”, Dr Mobereola celebrated the strength, expertise and invaluable contributions of women to the sector, emphasising that the industry has gained progress, innovation and sustainable growth through their efforts.

According to him “I celebrate your strength, expertise, and invaluable contributions to our maritime industry.

“The theme #GiveToGain reflects your daily impact. Through your professionalism, leadership, and resilience across sea-going, regulatory, technical, and administrative roles, you give excellence and our sector gains progress, innovation, and sustainable growth.”

Mobereola further commended the dedication of women in the industry and reaffirmed his commitment to “a maritime industry where every woman is empowered to lead and thrive”.

International Women’s Day is a global observance that seeks to draw attention to challenges faced by women and the need to ensure gender equity.

This year’s theme “Give to Gain”, focuses on investing in women through resources, education, and mentorship to create a stronger, more equitable society, highlighting the fact that empowering women brings collective benefits; economies, communities, and workplaces all grow when women thrive.

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IWD: 60 percent of my aides, technical assistants are women – Danthoso, NPA MD, declares as he celebrates women.

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter 

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Abubakar Danthoso, has said that he was intentional in his prioritizing  gender equality in key appointments at the NPA.

While eulogizing the role of women in the maritime industry as part of his message to women during the International Women’s Day celebration, Dr Danthoso, declared that 60 percent of his aides and technical assistants are women.

“Women hold 60 percent of these roles(personal aides and technical assistants) with men making up the remaining 40 percent.

“This intentional step underscores NPA’s commitment to advancing women’s participation and success across the maritime industry.” he stated.

Danthoso said he recognizes the remarkable contributions of to the progress and success of NPA “who continue to drive progress, break barriers, and shape a more equitable future for the sector.”

” The Nigerian Ports Authority proudly celebrates the resilience, dedication, and invaluable contributions of women in the maritime sector—including firefighting, security, piloting, engineering, hydrography, administrative and vessel-support services such as aids to navigation.

” These remarkable women are excelling even in roles that traditionally demand male-kind of strength”

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