Train crushes soldier on motorbike at Lagos railway crossing

A passenger train has crushed to death a Nigerian Army sergeant at the railway crossing in the PWD area of Ikeja, Lagos.

The train coming from Ibadan was heading for Iddo in Lagos when it ran into the soldier said to have attempted to smartly cross the rail line on his bike.

The latest incident which occurred on Wednesday came barely three months after a train on the same spot ran into a Lagos State government staff bus conveying workers.

Six persons were killed and about 80 passengers injured in that incident of March 9, 2023.

It was learnt that the Wednesday’s incident occurred around 6.30pm.

The deceased soldier, identified as Sergeant Jidean Samson, was until his death attached to the 9 Brigade, Ikeja in Lagos.

A report by Daily Trust quoted a military source as saying the incident occurred at the PWD railway crossing and that the 9th Brigade of the Nigerian Army had been informed about the demise of the sergeant.

The body was said to have moved to the Military Hospital mortuary in Yaba, Lagos.

Fuel: Embrace CNG, it’s cheaper – Marketers, promise N10bn buses

Oil marketers have asked Nigerians to embrace vehicles using compressed natural gas as an alternative to petrol-powered automobiles.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) gave the advice through its National President, Mr Chinedu Okorokwo, saying the CNG is a viable alternative energy source that would cushion the effect of petrol subsidy removal.

This came as major oil marketers promised to donate 100 units of 50-seater buses worth N10bn in support of the Federal Government’s subsidy removal interventions.

Already, the organised labour has forwarded a similar suggestion to the FG to support mass conversion of petrol engine vehicles to natural gas-powered.

The marketers made these known in Abuja after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu.

The CNG producing less emission is said to be the cleanest burning fuel operating today with less vehicle maintenance and longer engine life.

Okoronkwo said, “We have also discovered that bringing an alternative that is cheaper than even firewood which is CNG, will not only create relief for the government and its citizens but it is environmentally friendly.

“The CNG is abundantly available in Nigeria than anywhere in Africa.

“In the Niger Delta region, you see billions of tonnes of gas being wasted daily; these are huge amounts that should be accruing to our GDP, but we are wasting it because there is no market for it. So, we are asking the government to create the market.

“How do you create the market? What Egypt and India did was to give soft loans to be paid back within stipulated periods; from there, you can get vehicles to use gas instead of fuel.”

Also, the leader of the delegation to President Tinubu, Winifred Akpani, announced the intention of the group to donate 100 units of 50-seater buses using the CNG to cushion the effect of the subsidy removal.

She said the policy of using Natural Compressed Gas (CNG) vehicles would be implemented to reduce the cost of living.

She expressed the support of the marketers to fuel subsidy removal, stressing that it was long overdue.

She observed that the move, although painful and stressful, would unleash the economic potential of Nigeria, engender free-market economy, entice foreign investors, ensure security as well as creation of jobs and wealth.

The delegation was led to the President by Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State.

The Federal Government last year unveiled 20 high-tech CNG buses meant for civil servants in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The initiative was undertaken in a collaboration with FEMADEC Group, a private engineering and construction company.

A number of auto firms have received the support of the National Automotive Design and Development Council to assemble and market gas-powered vehicles.

Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing recently showcased mass-produced CNG buses from its Nnewi factory, Anambra State.

Omaa has equally rolled out CNG-buses from its Anambra-based assembly plant to increase the number of firms engaged in the business in Nigeria.

Volvo set to unleash fastest-accelerating model, EX30

Premium automaker, Volvo, is set to unveil EX30, an electric model with the fastest-accelerating performance.

The vehicle is coming with a 0-62mph time of 3.6sec in top-spec Twin Motor Performance form.
The model is expected to be a cornerstone of the Swedish brand’s reinvention as an electric-only manufacturer to attract new, younger urban buyers.
Chief executive Jim Rowan says the intention is to “bring premium, fully electric mobility to a much broader audience”.

It will sit underneath the existing XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge models.

Focus buyers
Volvo expects three-quarters of EX30 buyers will be new to the brand, with the majority buying it as a second car.

Exterior
According to a preview of the vehicle by AutoCar, the EX30 has a clear family resemblance to the flagship EX90 large SUV that was revealed last year, with a closed-off grille and Volvo’s signature ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlights.
The EX30 is the fourth model to be revealed in the firm’s electric line-up, although it will actually go on sale before the flagship EX90, which was revealed last year.
The car will come with wheels ranging from 18in to 20in and in five colours, including a new Moss Yellow inspired by lichen that grows on rocks on Sweden’s west coast.

Interior
The interior builds on Volvo’s traditional design form, with the dashboard dominated by a 12.3in vertically mounted touchscreen.
The infotainment runs Volvo’s Google-based system, which is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Instead of the traditional door-mounted speakers, a home audio-style soundbar runs across the full width of the dashboard.

Four interior designs – termed ‘rooms’ by Volvo – will be offered, all using different recyclable and renewable materials, including one that has upcycled denim fibre in the dashboard.

Volvo says that EX30’s chassis has been tuned for nimble driving in urban environments, with a low centre of gravity and an even weight distribution.

Reduced CO2 footprint

The auto firm says the machine has the smallest lifetime carbon footprint of any Volvo model to date and doesn’t compromise on its famed commitment to safety.
The reduced CO2 footprint – which Volvo says is below 30 tonnes over 124,000 miles of driving – covers both production and operation.

This, it says, has been achieved in part through a body that contains 25% recycled aluminium, 17% recycled steel and 17% recycled plastic.
You will also find state-of-the-art restraint systems and a raft of driver assistance systems.
They include a new Park Pilot Assist function that can help identify parking spots and operate in a wider range of spaces.

Digital tech
The firm has continued to put a major focus on digital technology, with a bespoke app that offers systems such as a digital key and remote-operated heating.
Two trim levels – Plus and Ultra – will be offered in the UK at launch and provide a high level of standard features.

Production
The EX30 will go into production later this year at Volvo’s Zhangjiakou plant in China and is now available to order in the UK, mainland Europe and selected other markets.
It will also be offered in the US, where it can now be pre-ordered.