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By Abubakar Suleiman

Before our very eyes, the Abuja–Kaduna train service is slowly dying. Its final demise is only a matter of when, not how.

If nothing drastic is done, the Rigasa, Kubwa and Idu stations may become comatose in a not-too-distant future, just as the Jere, Rijana, and Kakau stations have been left to weeds, rodents and reptiles. 

Forget the rapid infrastructural development of the Kaduna–Kano rail line; without the leadership and management required to sustain it, it risks following the same trajectory as the Abuja–Kaduna train services.

This is not pessimism. It is a warning about what happens when infrastructure is built without the strong leadership, top-notch maintenance culture and institutional commitment needed to keep it functional.

The number of daily train trips between Abuja and Kaduna shrank from four in each direction to just one.

The waiting area is gradually becoming shabby. When you lift your head to look at the roof or walls, cobwebs stare back, reminding you that Nigeria is a slaughterhouse where maintenance meets its dead end.

Let’s not even talk about buying a ticket. That’s a hassle. You just can’t get one in peace. For your sanity, you need a third party to get it for you.

The barcode scanners meant to grant access to the place housing the train and rail tracks can sometimes just choose not to work. Power supply issues? I don’t know. Functionality issues? I still don’t know. You’re left with a manual screening method that generates traffic.

Simple things like this, which ought to be fixed with urgency, only become paramount when a security breach leads to something unimaginable. But then, this is not even unimaginable.

The escalator and elevator can be idle, leaving you with the must-exercise of using the staircase. 

Mid-trip, the AC could just stop working, leaving the coaches stuffy. It has happened to me countless times. Pray you’re not unfortunate enough to have someone quietly fart, leaving the space momentarily filled with a rotten-egg-like fume. 

To fart is human, but to do so in a fully packed coach is not only inconsiderate and irresponsible; it is ungodly.

The lavatory in the train is another eyesore. Even prisoners deserve better; talk more of dignified people who are not convicts. Some of them have no water. You need to walk into another coach to ease yourself. Some charging ports aren’t working.

Should we not talk about the inconsiderate noise makers?

You’ll find yourself on a train in another country and wonder whether it’s a national mourning day because people are so mindful not to be a nuisance to the next person. No noise. Silence rules the sojourn. They’re not dumb; they are simply being civil and considerate.

Try the Abuja–Kaduna train. It can be so disgusting. From the person at the top of his voice making phone calls with no moral scruples, to acquaintances or friends who bump into each other and then start a noise like an unsolicited ‘radio station,’ to the one who turns on music on his phone without using earphones or AirPods.

I don’t know whether our loudness is meant to prove a point. Sometimes, we carry this particularly bad behaviour into another country without reading the room. I digress.

What about some unruly guys who jump onto the moving train to help passengers carry their luggage? They sometimes drag the right of way with passengers along the walkway as the train tends towards a halt. Moving luggage can be done with decorum and in peace. But it seems we thrive in chaos.

I know the aviation sector has a dedicated Ministry of Aviation. It is much more regulated worldwide than the railway industry, so it is more important to remove it from the Ministry of Transportation.

However, in other countries, railway transportation falls outside the Ministry of Transportation’s purview. They have a dedicated Ministry of Railways. I had wanted to suggest the same for Nigeria. But is it even about having a dedicated ministry?

The key policy question is whether a separate ministry would improve accountability, funding, coordination, oversight, and efficient service delivery, or simply add another layer of bureaucracy to the current red-tapism we have? Your guess is as good as mine.

We already have the Nigerian Railway Corporation, the Railway Property Management Company Limited and the Rail Transport Services Department within the Ministry of Transportation, yet our train services are anything but reliable and efficient.

Okay, End of Rant.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

President Bola Tinubu has approved an 18-month extension of the tenures of the heads of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

The affected officials are Kemi Nanna Nandap, Comptroller-General of the NIS, and Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, Controller-General of the NCoS.

The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the decision in a statement on Monday, stating that Nwakuche would remain in office until May 26, 2028, while Nandap’s tenure would run until June 30, 2028.

According to Onanuga, the extension followed a recommendation by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.

Tinubu commended both officials for the reforms recorded under their leadership and urged them to sustain and build on the progress made.

Nwakuche was appointed Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service in December 2024, with his appointment confirmed by the Senate in March 2025.

Nandap was nominated as Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service on February 21, 2024, and her appointment received Senate confirmation on March 1, 2024.

The extensions will allow both officials to remain in their respective positions beyond their previously scheduled tenure periods.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly been handed a 30-day suspension and fined €255 by the Portuguese Football Federation following his departure from the national team’s camp in Denmark during the September international break.

Football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano disclosed the development in a post on X, attributing the decision to the federation.

“Cristiano Ronaldo has been suspended for 30 days plus fined for €255.

“The decision has been made by Portugal Federation after he left the national team’s camp in Denmark.

“Cristiano himself had suggested a punishment after apologizing for that,” Romano wrote.

Ronaldo reportedly left the camp ahead of Portugal’s UEFA Nations League fixture against Denmark on September 30, following tensions with head coach Jorge Jesus.

The forward later apologised for his actions and indicated his willingness to accept disciplinary measures.

According to the report, the suspension is expected to expire in time for Portugal’s November international fixtures, subject to his selection.

However, the supplied report does not include an official statement from the Portuguese Football Federation confirming the suspension or fine.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Ibrahim Muhammad Kashim, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Bauchi State for the 2027 general elections, has resigned from the party.

Kashim announced his decision in a resignation letter dated October 16, 2026, addressed to the NDC chairman in Bauchi Local Government Area.

In the letter, he described the decision as a personal choice and expressed appreciation to the party’s leadership and members for the opportunity to be associated with the organisation.

“I hereby formally tender my resignation from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), effective from the date of this letter.

“This decision has been taken after careful consideration and is a matter of personal choice. I wish to express my appreciation to the party leadership and members for the opportunity to have been associated with the NDC.

“I respectfully request that my resignation be acknowledged and that the necessary records be updated accordingly. Please accept the assurances of my highest regards,” the statement read.

Kashim’s resignation comes ahead of the 2027 general elections, although the letter did not disclose his reasons for leaving the party or indicate his next political move.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

President Bola Tinubu has ruled out a return to petrol subsidy, insisting that Nigeria cannot reverse the policy introduced at the beginning of his administration in May 2023.

Tinubu made the remarks on Monday at an event organised by the City Boy Movement, a pro-Tinubu group led by his son, Seyi, which is mobilising young voters ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Defending the subsidy removal, the President said the policy was necessary to prevent the country from facing financial collapse, arguing that the government could no longer sustain the cost of subsidising petrol.

“I came and I removed subsidy the first day. I knew Nigeria would go bankrupt. There was nothing left to pay subsidy. I could listen to my political opponents promising a return to subsidy,” he said.

Using the Biblical account of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt, Tinubu drew a parallel between their journey and Nigeria’s economic reforms, insisting that the country should not return to its previous position.

“I remember my scripture studies, both in the Bible and in the Holy Quran.

“When Moses and Musa left Egypt, they faced a challenge, and the Red Sea parted and gave way. You cannot ask Moses to go back to Egypt.”

The President also urged young Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate in the 2027 election.

“Make sure every young person you know has a PVC and uses it,” he said.

“Tell them what we have done and tell them what we will do.

“We will campaign with our ideas, original thoughts and deep thinking to move this country forward. With your energy and support, never will we go back to Egypt.”

Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy during his inauguration on May 29, 2023. The policy has remained a major point of debate, with opposition politicians proposing different approaches to reducing fuel prices.

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), recently said the party “will do whatever is necessary” to lower petrol prices, including potentially restoring the subsidy if elected.

The party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, had also said his administration would restore the subsidy after tackling corruption.

Meanwhile, Donald Duke, the Peoples Redemption Party presidential candidate, said he would reduce petrol prices to about N300 per litre if elected in 2027.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, also pledged in August to restore the subsidy if he wins the election.

The competing positions on petrol subsidy are expected to remain a key issue in the campaign ahead of the 2027 presidential poll.

By Muhammad Sulaiman

A social media outcry has erupted in Kebbi State following claims that the Executive Chairman of the state’s Pilgrims Welfare Agency donated 100 cars to support the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s 2027 election campaign.

Bashir Jelani, a Kebbi indigene and scholar based in the United States, raised the issue in a Facebook post, questioning the reported donation amid concerns over poverty, malnutrition and access to clean drinking water in the state.

Jelani drew attention to reports highlighting Kebbi’s development challenges, citing the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), StatiSense, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and UNICEF.

He questioned the reported donation in a state he described as facing severe socioeconomic challenges, asking where the money used to acquire the vehicles came from.

Other Kebbi residents have reportedly expressed similar concerns, with the controversy prompting questions about the source of funding for the vehicles and the priorities of public officials under the administration of Governor Nasir Idris, popularly known as Ƙauran Gwandu.

However, the circumstances surrounding the alleged donation, including the source of funding and the intended recipients of the vehicles, remain unclear. The claims and the statistics cited in the Facebook post could not be independently verified for this report.

The agency chairman and the Kebbi State Government have not been quoted as responding to the allegations.

Ali Tijjani Hassan

I am in Damaturu to witness the third edition of the Yobe State Spelling Bee Competition, and to be honest, I might not be doing justice to what I witnessed if I wait for decades before telling my unborn children about how Governor Mai Mala Buni, CON, is gradually refining the educational sector in Yobe State during his tenure.

His Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Yobe State, Alhaji Idi Barde Gubana, Wazirin Fune, declared the programme open and encouraged the young participants to do their best and make their communities proud. As he said, and I quote: “Forty-five years back, we were at your level, but today we are at the mantle of leadership and about to exit. You are indeed the leaders of tomorrow, and you are on the right track.” 

The Deputy Governor also appreciated the Secretary to the Yobe State Government, Dr Mohammed Goje, FRSPH, for initiating, sustaining, and continuously improving this remarkable programme. He described it as an epitome of Dr Goje’s foresighted, selfless and transformative leadership in redefining the future of young people across the state.

It gladdened my heart to see some of the finest young brains among us serving as judges and facilitators. Among them was my friend, Shamsiyya Ibrahim Barde, a recent UN guest and UNOCT champion, who served as the lead judge, while Zara Alim Bakari, as the Master of Ceremony.

Then came the preliminary stage, where every participant had the opportunity to step onto the podium and show what they had upstairs. It was one of those experiences you genuinely wish you could record and replay. I saw young and talented teenagers trying to figure out what they could do with their abilities. For me, that is one of the greatest values of the Spelling Bee. Beyond competition, it gives young people a platform to discover, sharpen and showcase their abilities while preparing themselves for a world that will demand excellence from them. 

And, of course, the real drama started when a young man who, by all indications, is my Fulani brother, was asked to spell “Maritime.” My brother tried spelling it three times. The judges disagreed about his alphabet pronunciation, largely because of mother-tongue interference. For those of us in the audience, it became difficult to tell whether the sound he produced in the second syllable was “M” or “N.” As the debate intensified and the young man probably realised that his English-language command was not going to rescue him, he switched to Hausa and asked: Wai ko ba ‘Maritime’ ake nufi ba?”

The entire hall erupted in laughter. That young man single-handedly revived the energy in the room. But beyond the laughter, I admired something about him: confidence. He wasn’t afraid to try the word, even when he wasn’t entirely sure of himself. And sometimes, that confidence to stand before people, try, and keep going despite a barrier is itself a form of education.

Of course, I saw many other vibrant young people who came fully prepared to take the trophy home. Their confidence, composure and command of words were genuinely impressive.

Then came another moment that caught my attention. A young participant with visual impairment appeared on stage and was asked to spell “Senator.” He requested the assistance he needed to participate effectively, explaining that he had been taught to read and interpret words through a system different from what most of us were familiar with. That moment made me appreciate something beyond the competition itself: the preparation that went into making the programme inclusive. It reminded me that education is not truly transformative until it makes room for everyone.

I was equally impressed by the commitment of the organisers and stakeholders. The Secretary to the State Government, Dr Mohammed Goje, alongside members of his team and associates, including Dr Sa’id Ali Kori of Thinklab, Dr Suleiman Dauda of SOLID, Dr Bulama Maina Yaro of the Yobe State Pilot Livestock Development Programme, Dr Babagana Muhammad of Nigeria Food Corporation, and Prof. Sheriff Almuhajir of YMFB, maintained a constant presence throughout the programme despite their various professional and personal commitments. To me, that speaks to the strong commitment to the initiative.

The Yobe State Spelling Bee Competition is becoming more than an academic competition. It is creating a platform where young people can discover their confidence, test their abilities, compete with their peers and begin to imagine themselves in spaces of excellence.

And perhaps the greatest lesson from the competition is one I have always believed: School was never a scam. Give a child the right environment, expose them to opportunities, challenge them intellectually, and you may be watching the early stages of someone who will one day change your community.

The Yobe Spelling Bee is, without doubt, setting a pace for a future trajectory built around education, confidence, talent and the pursuit of excellence among the younger generation of Yobe State. Let’s come back tomorrow to witness what the next session’s “knock-out stage” will offer us. But I believe that many emotional moments would unfold.

Ali Tijjani Hassan writes from Damaturu.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has expressed confidence in his chances of defeating Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan in the 2027 Kogi Central senatorial election.

Bello, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Akpoti-Uduaghan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are expected to contest the seat in the forthcoming election.

Their political relationship has been marked by public accusations and legal disputes. In October 2022, Bello accused Akpoti-Uduaghan of involvement in the Ajaokuta massacre and the Kuje prison break, incidents that occurred between June and July of that year.

Akpoti-Uduaghan denied the allegations, stating that she was in the United States for pregnancy-related reasons and childbirth at the time.

On November 4, 2022, she responded to Bello’s accusations by describing him as a “murderer, serial killer, and a terror to the people of Kogi State”.

Speaking during an appearance on TVC’s Sunday Politics, Bello said he was confident of securing victory in the senatorial contest.

“16 January 2027 is around the corner, the result will speak for itself.

“Let the day come and go, the day will bring massive votes, a decisive victory for Yahaya Bello, the former governor of Kogi State, and for APC,” he said.

The election is expected to determine who represents Kogi Central in the Senate for the next term.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 56-year-old man, Madarikan Emehinola, over the alleged killing of his wife, Igbagbo Erobe, 40, in a house fire in Ogun State.

The incident occurred in the Igbo-Edu area of Ogun Waterside Local Government Area and was reported to the Abigi Divisional Police Headquarters on Sunday, according to the police.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the woman was reportedly trapped inside the burning house and could not escape.

He explained that police operatives responded to the report, arrested the suspect and recovered the woman’s body from the scene.

The body has been deposited in a mortuary for an autopsy to determine the circumstances surrounding her death.

Babaseyi added that the suspect remained in custody as the case was being transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Eleweran, Abeokuta, for further investigation.

The police spokesperson also disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, had directed a thorough and professional investigation into the incident.

“The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, assures the public that the matter will be investigated diligently and professionally in accordance with the law,” the statement said.

Ojajuni reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, adding that domestic violence and murder would not be tolerated.

The suspect’s alleged involvement remains subject to investigation.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Reverend Father John Inalegwu Otache, a Catholic priest abducted in Benue State, has reportedly regained his freedom following a rescue operation involving security operatives and local vigilantes.

Otache serves as the parish priest of St. Margaret’s Parish, Ajegbe-Awume, in Ohimini Local Government Area of the state.

He was reportedly kidnapped on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, along the Otobi Amejo-Ajegbe Road while returning home from Otukpo.

His abduction raised concerns among members of the Catholic Diocese of Otukpo and residents of surrounding communities, prompting prayers and appeals for his safe return.

News of his reported rescue has brought relief to his congregation and other members of the Catholic community who had expressed concern over his whereabouts.

However, details surrounding the operation remain unclear. His current health condition and the specific circumstances of his reported release have yet to be confirmed.

Further information is expected as more details emerge.