under the aegis of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, Thursday resolved to engage the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC on the proposed removal of fuel subsidy. According to the Governors, the meeting with the NLC on the issue has become imperative because as stakeholders, they must be involved in order to arrive at a conclusion of ensuring that Nigerians at the end of the day would not be at the receiving end. The Governors have also denied playing any role in the planned removal of subsidy, even as they said that the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC is now a private company and cannot be dictated to on how to carry out its activities. Addressing Journalists in the early hours of today after the meeting of the governors, Chairman of NGF and Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi said “The forum also discussed the issue around petroleum subsidy and concluded to engage the leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress on how best to address this issue without causing any disaffection but with a view to salvaging the Nigerian economy for the Nigerian people at the end of the day. “So we shall be engaging the Nigerian labor Congress, as sub national leaders and with a view to ensuring that the outcome of our engagement will also be fed into the national discourse.”

Following the death of two nurses who had been engaged before their shocking death due to a ghastly road accident along Jos-Abuja highway on Monday, family and friends have taken to social media to express their grief. The engaged couple, Kareem Oluwagbemiga Bright and Yuslam Enoch who were both staff nurses with the Federal Medical Centre, Adamawa State, died on Monday. Kareem, the fiancée had been posting about his relationship with Yuslam including announcing their engagement on Facebook with the proposal pictures. Friends and acquaintances have been expressing emotional reactions to the shocking news of their death. Sharing more details about the groom via a Facebook post, a friend Khajida Motunrayo Musa, stated that Kareem was a former national public relations officer of the Nigerian Universities Nursing Students’ Association. She wrote, “The news of your death is a shock I am still trying to get over. Mr Kareem Oluwagbemiga Bright was a one-time NUNSA National PRO, he was dedicated to his duty and very optimistic about the future of the nursing profession. “He was set to wed his lovely fiancee before their involvement in an RTA Road Traffic Accident) on 17th January 2022. Their death is a double loss to the nursing community. We will forever miss you both. I pray God grant us and your family the strength to bear this great loss.” Another friend Trinity Paxmariano Udeozo, wrote on Facebook that he still spoke to Kareem about two days ago as they delibrated on ways to help their junior colleagues prepare for their exams. “We just chatted last two days about how we can help our junior colleagues prepare for their exams. You stipulated and mapped out structures to go for. You are such an amiable person, full of possibilities and positivity. “Although it’s difficult today to see beyond the sorrow. May the blessings of love be upon you. May its peace abide with you. May its essence illuminate your heart. Now and forevermore. Rest In Peace champion Kareem Oluwagbemiga Bright,” he wrote. Also, Princess Gracy wrote, “What’s on my mind?? …. I’m hurt, I’m heartbroken, this wasn’t the plan Kareem Oluwagbemiga Bright, until your death, you were such a wonderful person, had a great personality, a hustler and a nurse, you were determined to make a change and I’d thought we were going to do that together, your passion and enthusiasm to make this world a better place was a force to reckon with, and Usulam Enoch… “My coursemate, a very soft-spoken and kind-hearted personality, to think you guys were planning on getting married in March, I’m deeply hurt…. y’all will be missed… Rest on guys… May God comfort every one of us and most especially your individual families…”(sic

have dispersed a former presidential aspirant and activist Omoyele Sowore and other individuals who were present at the Federal High Court to monitor the arraignment of the leader of the proscribed group, the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, The PUNCH has observed. The PUNCH reports that Sowore who arrived at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday morning was barred from accessing the court premises and was attacked by some hoodlums. After which the Security operatives began to fire live ammunition into the air creating an environment of fear and disarray. The PUNCH reports that Sowore, an activist had on October 21, 2021, visited the Federal High Court to witness the ongoing trial of Kanu. Sowore who was also attacked then blamed the operatives of the Department of State Services for the attack on him. More to follow..

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, on Tuesday, visited the factory of Talgo Inc, a train manufacturer, in Milwaukee, to attend a ceremony ‘marking the purchase of two Series 8 trains’ for the red line train project in the state. Milwaukee is the largest city in the US state of Wisconsin. According to Milwaukee public radio (WPR), the two trains were originally designed for a high-speed rail line to connect Madison and Milwaukee in the US. In 2009, Jim Doyle, Wisconsin’s then-governor, a Democrat, ordered the trains. The state was awarded $810 million for the project in a federal stimulus bill. The project was dropped over contract terms with Talgo after Scott Walker, a Republican, took over from Doyle. It later resulted in a court battle. According to the report, the trains are set to become part of ‘West Africa’s first operational metro system.’ Two weeks, Sanwo-Olu inspected the project, confirming that the first phase would commence operation before the end of the year. The Blue Line is designed to start from Okokomaiko and terminate at Marina, while the Red Line runs from Agbado to Marina. The second phase will serve Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. “The Red Line, a 37 km track with 11 stations, will be the first operational metro system in West Africa,” according to a statement. “Construction of the Red Line was originally approved in 2008; However, the project was delayed by a previous administration. “With a population of 27 million Lagos is the most densely populated city in Africa. It is estimated by 2025 Lagos will be one of the five most populous cities in the world. “Lagos currently suffers from a congested transport system with limited rail transport and a developing road network with nerve-wracking traffic. “There are approximately 6 million individuals with daily transportation needs. In light of this, Sanwo-Olu has committed to bringing the Red Line project to fruition during his administration. “More specifically, the governor expects operation of the first phase of the Red Line to begin by the last quarter of 2022 with a capacity of 500,000 passengers daily. “Upon completion of the second phase, the Red Line will serve Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport. “The purchase of rail equipment built by Talgo with Milwaukee qualified workers opens the door to future orders and job creation.” According to WPR, Cavalier Johnson, the acting Milwaukee mayor, welcomed Sanwo-Olu, saying ‘it’s a little bittersweet’ that Milwaukee missed out on the trains that should have been operational in Milwaukee and Wisconsin. “I’m sending my congratulations to the governor in Lagos State in Nigeria, but also a little disappointed that we missed out on the opportunity to have those trainsets operating here in Milwaukee and Wisconsin,” the report quoted Johnson as saying.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo is currently presiding over the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. President Muhammadu Buhari has headed off to The Gambia to attend the inauguration ceremony of the country’s President, Adama Barrow, who was re-elected for a second five-year term. On the invitation of his host, Buhari will be Special Guest of Honour at the ceremonies to be attended by other African leaders at the Independence Stadium, Bakau. Those attending the FEC meeting in-person include Ministers of Health, Adeleke Mamora; Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu; FCT, Mohammed Bello; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, amongst others. Those attending virtually include Ministers of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; Communications and Digital Economy; Ali Pantami; Special Duties, George Akume; Sports, Sunday Dare; Police Affairs, Maigari Dingyadi. Others are the Minister of Agriculture, Mines and Steel, State for Science and Technology, State for Mines and Steel. Details shortly…

Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has lost his elder brother, Muhammadu Bello, on Tuesday. Before his death, late Bello was the Wazirin Tambuwal. He succeeded their late father, Alhaji Umaru Waziri Usman, who died 37 years ago. He was the eldest in the governor’s family. Announcing his transition, Governor Tambuwal said: “It is with sublime submission to the will of Allah (SWT) that I announce the death of my precious elder brother, Alhaji Muhammadu Bello, Wazirin Tambuwal, (the Vizier of Tambuwal). “The octogenarian, who died Tuesday evening, has been the Vizier of Tambuwal for the past 37 years, having succeeded our late beloved father, Alhaji Umar Waziri Usmanu. “He will be buried according to Islamic rites this morning in Tambuwal town. “May Allah forgive him his shortcomings and grant him Aljanna Firdaus. Amin,” he said.