By Iliya Kure

A cargo train travelling from Lagos to Kano has derailed at Farin Ruwa, near Jaji, in Kaduna State, northwest Nigeria, killing its driver.

Public Relations Officer, Northern Regional District of the Nigeria Railways Corporation (NRC), Zaria, Malam Abdullahi Alhaji, who confirmed the incident to NAN on Thursday, said the train was conveying soft drinks to Kano.

He said the incident was “as a result of vandalization of the slippers and other accessories of the rail track in the area.”

He said rescue efforts were ongoing to recover the remains of the deceased to salvage the situation for the train to continue its journey to Kano.

On Monday, a passenger train belonging to Nigerian Railway Corporation came under terrorists attack in another part of Kaduna state, where unspecified number of people were killed, some injured, while still others were kidnapped.

The attack has led to suspension of the Abuja-Kaduna passenger train services.

By Joseph Edegbo

The Federal Road Safety Commission has approved the appointment of 2 Assistant Corps Marshals (ACM) to the rank of Deputy Corps Marshal (DCM), 4 Corps Commanders (CC) to the rank of Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM), 39 Deputy Corps Commanders (DCC) to the rank of Corps Commander (CC) and 64 Assistant Corps Commanders (ACC) to the rank of Deputy Corps Commanders (DCC).

Others include; 57 Chief Route Commanders promoted to Assistant Corps Commanders, 132 Superintendent Route Commanders to Chief Route Commanders as well as 427 Route Commanders elevated to the rank of Superintendent Route Commander.

In addition, the Commission also approved the promotion of 317 Deputy Route Commanders to the rank of Assistant Route Commanders as well as 76 Assistant Route Commanders (ARC) to the rank of Deputy Route Commander (DRC).

Others who were elevated with the mandate to proceed on terminal leave are two Assistant Corps Marshals appointed to the rank of Deputy Corps Marshal, 3 Corps Commanders also promoted to the rank of Assistant Corps Marshal; as well as 7 Deputy Corps Commanders promoted to the rank of Corps Commander and 6 Assistant Corps Commanders equally promoted to the rank of Deputy Corps Commander respectively.

The Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, who made this public revealed that the approval came at the end of the meeting of the Commission, ratifying the report of the Establishment Committee of the Commission on promotion of Officers, where the exercise was diligently deliberated upon.

The Board Chairman, Mallam Bukhari Bello expressed delight over the level of transparency and objectivity that heralded the whole process and urged the promoted officers to show more commitment and rededicate themselves to achieving the Corporate mission of the Corps which is to eradicate road traffic crashes and create a safer motoring environment in the country.

He stated that the promotion exercise is part of the Commission’s drive towards rewarding excellence, diligence and hard work which is in line with the administrative philosophy of the present leadership of the Corps.

Kazeem added that the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, equally congratulated the newly elevated Officers for their excellent performances during the exercise, noting that every promotion comes with greater responsibilities. He charged them to put in their best in the course of their duties as the new rank calls for more focus, more dedication, commitment and passion.

Speaking further, the Corps Marshal promised to improve the general welfare of the personnel of the Corps to the satisfaction of all. As such, he beckoned on all personnel to be of good cheer and put in great efforts towards the realisation of the corporate mandate of the Corps.

Speaking on the processes and phases of the entire exercise, Kazeem disclosed that the promotion exercise which was diligently conducted began with medical examination, physical test exercises, computer based examination, and oral interview.

By Sunday Elijah

Starlink, a satellite tv for pc firm owned by world richest man, Elon Musk, has modified the interval it set to debut within the Nigerian market, amid plans to compete towards MTN Nigeria, Airtel, Globacom and 9mobile.

kzbNews had reported in November 2021, that Starlink would launch into the nation late this 12 months, nonetheless, the timetable has been moved ahead.

Starlink representatives had met with the Nigerian Communications Firm (NCC) in Could final 12 months, to debate about necessities for operational license for the SpaceX subsidiary, because it seeks to onboard Nigerians on its subscriber base.

There are about 69,000 energetic Starlink customers in the USA and different chosen places, however that quantity will quickly rise, as gathered that Starlink debut would now be mid 2022, encouraging Nigerians to order now to order your Starlink.

“Starlink expects to increase service in your space by mid 2022. Availability is topic to regulatory approval. Inside every protection space, orders are fulfilled on a first-come, first-served foundation”, a press release obtained from its web site on Thursday mentioned.

Lagos, Abuja and Benin are a few of the areas talked about for availability of Starlink in Nigeria when it launches. Musk’s firm has spent between $5 billion and $10 billion in its bid to cowl 5 p.c of the worldwide inhabitants.

Starlink will probably be competing towards MTN Nigeria, Glo, Airtel and 9mobile on the again of about $20 billion or $30 billion, which the U.S firm has projected to spend to make its service obtainable in lots of markets, together with Nigeria.

In a tweet on his Twitter web page on Tuesday, Musk had disclosed that Starlink is, “Anticipating over 4200 Starlink satellites in operation inside 18 months, which is 2/3 of all energetic satellites of Earth.” Making it a drive towards the prevailing gamers in Nigeria.

Starlink’s subscriber base is anticipated to hit half 1,000,000 earlier than the 12 months ends, up from 69,000 it had final 12 months.

kzbNews

By Joseph Edegbo

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has
inaugurated the Governing Board of the National Broadcasting
Commission (NBC), with a call on the commission to scale up its
regulatory role ahead of the 2023 general elections.

“Please note that as we move closer to the 2023 general elections, the
NBC will come under increasing pressure to step up its regulatory role
to prevent a repeat of what transpired before, during and after the
2019 general elections, when some broadcast stations threw caution to
the wind and engaged in inciting, incendiary and unprofessional
broadcasts.

”It is important for the Commission to ensure that its licensees
adhere strictly to the tenets of the Broadcasting Code,” the Minister
said while inaugurating the Board in Abuja on Thursday.

He also called on the Board to develop relevant policies that will
drive the implementation of the Digital Switch Over (DSO), which is
the flagship project of the NBC.

“We have an ambitious plan to fast-track the DSO this year by
launching it in at least two states every month. Unfortunately, we
have not been able to meet this target. But we are working hard to
resume the DSO launch as soon as possible. I urge you all to buy into
this project to ensure that NBC is able to deliver on what we perceive
as a legacy project – because it will change the face of broadcasting
in Nigeria,” Alhaji Mohammed said.

He urged the members of new NBC Board to maintain a cordial
relationship with the management, and to strictly adhere to their
roles in policy formulation and refrain from getting involved in the
the day-to-day running of the organization.

“Please note that the role of the board of any organization is to
formulate policies, and not to engage in the day-to-day running of the
organization. The Board is to evolve strategic ways of supporting the
commission so it can most effectively deliver its mandate. I therefore
enjoin you all to maintain a cordial relationship with the Chief
Executive Officer of the Commission to engender a smooth working
relationship,” the Minister said.

In his remarks on behalf of the Board, the Chairman, Mr. Bashir
Omolaja Bolarinwa, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for finding them
worthy to serve.

He pledged the readiness of the Board members to work with the
management of the NBC as well as the Ministerial Task Force on the DSO
to ensure the success of the project.

The inauguration of the Board was attended by the Permanent Secretary,
Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Dr. Ifeoma Adaora
Anyanwutaku, and the Senator representing Adamawa Central, Hajia Aisha
Dahiru, among other dignitaries.

Other members of the Board are Mr. Wada Asab Ibrahim, Mr.
Iheanyichukwu Azubike Dike, Mrs. Adesola Oyinloye Ndu, Mr. Olaniyan
Olatunji Badmus, Mr. Bashir Ibrahim, Mr. Obiora Ilo, Mr, Ahmad Sajo,
Engr. Bayo Erikitola, Mr. Peter Afunanya, the representative of the
Department of State Services, Dr. Musbau Kayode, representing the
Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, and the NBC
Director-General, Alhaji Balarabe Ilelah.