Auto
Lagos-Ibadan trains moved 42,000 passengers in June – Amaechi
• Says Kaduna-Abuja train breakdown due to delayed spare parts
The recently launched Lagos-Ibadan trains conveyed a total of 42,000 passengers in the month of June 2021, Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has said.
He also said the recurrent breakdown recently experienced on the Kaduna-Abuja trains was due to delay in spare parts delivery from China.
The minister, who spoke on Friday after a routine inspection of the Lagos-Ibadan rail project in Lagos, however assured the Kaduna-Abuja train passengers that spare parts being expected for the Lagos-Ibadan trains would be used for the northern train locomotives when they arrived.
Amaechi said the number of passengers using the Lagos-Ibadan train was expected to increase as more people became aware of the benefits of the new train service.
He added that he had told the Nigerian Railway Corporation to increase the number of daily trains on that route from four to six.
The plan, he stressed, was to make the daily trips between Lagos and Ibadan 16 trains.
Amaechi said, “On the Lagos-Ibadan trains, 42,000 passengers were moved in June. We expect the figure to increase in the coming months because if we can move 42,000 in the month that we started, then the figure will increase as more people become aware of the train services between Lagos and Ibadan.”
The minister also spoke on the completion stage of the train stations, saying due to a recent kidnap of some Chinese officials in the Olodo area of Ogun State, the train station there had yet to be completed.
The minister said most of the stations had been completed except for Olodo being delayed due to the kidnap of Chinese officials. He also disclosed that the contractor had completed most of the communication and signalling work, but he noted, “We need to observe the project for the next six months to be sure everything is working perfectly as planned.
“If not, we won’t be able to do the 16 trips-a-day train schedule as planned. The reason we are inspecting is to be sure everything is working as planned. After six months, when we are very sure of what we are seeing, then we can bring in new coaches and locomotives and increase the trips.
“As of today, I have directed the NRC to scale up the number of trips per day from four to eight.” Speaking on the issue with the Kaduna-Abuja train, he said, “After the last breakdown of the Kaduna-Abuja train, I instructed the Nigerian Railway Corporation to rest that particular locomotive. I am surprised that there was another breakdown in the early hours of today.
“The issue with the breakdown of the Kaduna-Abuja train is due to lack of maintenance which is attributable to a lack of spare parts from China. We have written to Mr President on this issue and he has graciously approved the purchase of spare parts for the Lagos-Ibadan trains. Very soon, the Chinese people will supply us with enough spare parts for the Lagos-Ibadan rail. By the time they do that, we will be forced to use some of these spare parts for the Kaduna-Abuja trains and hopefully, the issue of incessant breakdown of the trains will be resolved.
![]()
Auto
Jetour W Motors Celebrates Customers, Unveils Nigeria Owners Club After Brazil Promo
Jetour W Motors Celebrates Customers, Unveils Nigeria Owners Club After Brazil Promo
Jetour W Motors Nigeria is stepping up efforts to strengthen customer loyalty and build a vibrant community of vehicle owners with the successful conclusion of its #WinYourWayToBrazil campaign and the official establishment of the Jetour Nigeria Club.
The twin initiatives mark a new phase in the Chinese automotive brand’s engagement with Nigerian customers, extending its relationship with vehicle owners beyond sales and after-sales services to include shared experiences, lifestyle activities, adventures and community-building programmes.
The campaign climaxed with a live raffle draw on Friday, September 25, 2026, at the Jetour W Motors showroom on Adeyemo Alakija Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, where eligible customers gathered for an evening of entertainment, refreshments, networking and the eagerly anticipated announcement of the winner.
The promotion offered customers who ordered and purchased any Jetour vehicle between August 18 and September 20, 2026, the opportunity to win a trip to Brazil for the Jetour Brazil Fan Festival.
The event also featured the distribution of branded Jetour Owners Club gifts, adding to the celebratory atmosphere as customers interacted with one another and members of the Jetour team.
Beyond the excitement surrounding the raffle draw, the occasion provided a platform for Jetour W Motors to unveil the Jetour Nigeria Club, an initiative designed to bring owners of the brand’s vehicles together through a structured calendar of activities and shared experiences.
The club, officially established for the first time in Nigeria, is expected to create opportunities for members to participate in organised adventures, social gatherings and other community initiatives while strengthening their connection with the brand.
Registration for membership will open soon, with all Jetour owners invited to join the emerging community.
The development reinforces Jetour W Motors Nigeria’s strategy of building lasting relationships with customers in a competitive automotive market where ownership experience, customer engagement and brand loyalty are becoming increasingly important.
The #WinYourWayToBrazil campaign follows the successful Jetour Africa Expedition — Nigeria Edition, which brought together Jetour owners, influencers, media professionals and members of the company’s team for a distinctive experience combining driving, adventure and Nigerian culture.
The expedition was the brand’s first major activation specifically designed to bring Jetour owners together in Nigeria, providing an opportunity for participants to connect beyond their individual vehicle ownership experiences.
With the Brazil campaign and the launch of the national owners’ club, Jetour W Motors is building on that foundation by creating more opportunities for customers to interact, participate in brand-led activities and develop relationships with fellow owners.
The approach reflects a broader effort to position vehicle ownership as an experience that extends beyond the showroom, encompassing lifestyle, recreation and a sense of belonging to a growing community.
Jetour W Motors Nigeria is the authorised distributor of Jetour vehicles in the Nigerian market, where the brand continues to expand its presence through customer-focused initiatives and engagement programmes.
The planned opening of membership registration for the Jetour Nigeria Club is expected to provide the next opportunity for owners to become part of the community and participate in activities designed to deepen their connection with the brand.
![]()
Auto
FRSC hands over Safeline Bank to ROBOPAY, targets digital financial transformation
FRSC hands over Safeline Bank to ROBOPAY, targets digital financial transformation
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has handed over ownership of Safeline Microfinance Bank to ROBOPAY NIG. LTD., paving the way for a major recapitalisation and technology-driven transformation of the financial institution.
The divestment, which took place on Monday, October 5, 2026, at the bank’s premises in Abuja, is expected to reposition Safeline Microfinance Bank for stronger competitiveness, improved service delivery and sustainable growth in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving financial services sector.
The development, according to a statement by the Corps Public Education Officer, Osondu Ohaeri, is part of the strategic efforts under the leadership of the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, to reposition the institution for greater efficiency and competitiveness.
Safeline Microfinance Bank was established by the FRSC to provide financial services and opportunities to members of the Corps and other stakeholders.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Chairman of the Board of Safeline Microfinance Bank, Ibrahim Babagana, a Deputy Corps Marshal (Rtd.), said the decision to divest the bank followed a careful assessment of the prevailing regulatory environment and emerging government policies affecting the microfinance banking industry.
Babagana said sustaining the bank under the changing financial landscape would require substantial additional capital, greater investment in technology and enhanced human capital.
He explained that the Board therefore resolved to transfer ownership to an investor with the capacity, resources and commitment to make the required investments and place the bank on a sustainable growth trajectory.
The former FRSC chief expressed confidence in ROBOPAY, saying the company had demonstrated the competence, commitment and vision required to build on the foundation established by the Corps and take Safeline Microfinance Bank to a new level.
He identified strengthening the bank’s capital base, deploying modern technology and investing in human resources as critical priorities for its survival and competitiveness in the increasingly digital financial services market.
Responding on behalf of ROBOPAY NIG. LTD, Malam Aliyu Abiodun thanked the Board and management of Safeline Microfinance Bank for the confidence reposed in the company, describing the acquisition as a significant milestone and an opportunity to unlock the institution’s considerable potential.
Abiodun said the bank already had valuable assets, structures and an institutional foundation which the new owners would build upon through strategic investments in financial technology, capital and human resources.
He said ROBOPAY would deploy FinTech solutions to modernise the bank’s operations, improve customer experience, expand its service offerings and strengthen its competitive position within Nigeria’s financial services industry.
According to him, the new ownership would retain and leverage the institutional foundation created by the FRSC while introducing innovative technology-driven solutions capable of opening new growth opportunities for the bank.
The transaction thus signals more than a change in ownership, as it ushers Safeline Microfinance Bank into a new phase anchored on recapitalisation, digital innovation and professionalised financial services.
Both parties expressed commitment to ensuring a seamless transition, with the ultimate objective of building a stronger, more competitive and sustainable institution capable of delivering greater value to its customers and stakeholders.

![]()
Auto
TCAN Honours Dangote Cement Transport for Safety, Logistics Excellence
TCAN Honours Dangote Cement Transport for Safety, Logistics Excellence
Dangote Cement Transport has been recognised for its contributions to the development of Nigeria’s transport industry, winning the “Champion of Transport Industry Development Award” presented by the Transport Correspondents Association of Nigeria (TCAN).
The award, presented at the third Transport Summit organised by TCAN in Lagos, recognised the company’s efforts in improving road transport operations, strengthening safety standards and deploying more efficient logistics solutions to support industrial activities across the country.
Receiving the award on behalf of the company’s management, the Head of Dangote Cement Transport, Mr Murilo Silva, said the recognition was a reflection of the commitment of the company’s transport workforce, drivers, safety professionals, engineers and operational partners.
Silva said Dangote Cement viewed transportation as a critical component of industrialisation and economic development, stressing that the efficient movement of goods was essential to sustaining production, trade and national economic activities.
“We are deeply honoured to receive this award from the Transport Correspondents Association of Nigeria. This recognition reflects Dangote Cement Transport’s unwavering commitment to developing a safe, efficient and sustainable transport system that supports economic growth and national development,” he said.
READ ALSO:
- Osogbo Food Bonanza Turns Nightmare as Discount Vendor Vanishes With Customers’ Millions
- Obi’s Debt Storm Deepens as Okonkwo Says: ‘I Was Misled’
- Lagos Club Robbery: Police Arrest Suspect After N5m Bounty
According to him, the company would continue to invest in technology, safety initiatives and operational improvements as part of efforts to raise standards across its transport operations.
“At Dangote Cement, we recognise that transportation is much more than moving goods from one point to another. It is a vital link in the nation’s economic ecosystem,” Silva said.
He added that the company would continue to deploy innovative solutions, strengthen its safety culture and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to improve road transport operations.
Silva dedicated the award to the thousands of drivers, transport professionals, engineers, safety personnel and logistics workers whose daily efforts support the movement of Dangote Cement products across its extensive distribution network.
“This award belongs to our drivers, our safety professionals and every member of our transport team who work tirelessly every day to ensure that our operations are safe, reliable and efficient,” he said.
The recognition underscores Dangote Cement Transport’s investments in fleet management, driver training, road safety programmes and technology-driven logistics solutions aimed at improving operational efficiency and reducing risks associated with road transportation.
The award was presented against the backdrop of growing calls for stronger collaboration between government and private-sector operators to tackle infrastructure and logistics challenges confronting the country’s transport industry.
The TCAN summit also featured discussions on port modernisation, rail integration and technology deployment, with stakeholders emphasising the need for coordinated action to improve freight movement, reduce logistics costs and accelerate innovation across Nigeria’s transport sector.
TCAN Honours Dangote Cement Transport for Safety, Logistics Excellence
![]()
-
metro3 days agoOndo Air Tragedy: Soldiers, Families Among 32 Killed In NAF Crash
-
metro3 days agoGunmen Open Fire At Lagos Bus Stop, Kill NURTW Member, Injure Three
-
metro3 days agoOgun Crash: Nine Die As Bus Collides With Truck On Ijebu-Ode-Ore Road
-
metro2 days agoSupreme Council For Sharia Secretary-General Nafiu Baba-Ahmed Dies
-
metro14 hours ago[UPDATED] 20 NYSC Prospective Corps Members Freed After Seven Days in Captivity
-
metro2 days agoUCH CMD: After Decades Without Muslim, Agunbiade Demands Fair Chance
-
metro3 days agoNigeria Climbs Africa Investment Ladder, Overtakes Four Nations
-
International3 days agoKemi Badenoch: I Don’t Want Migrants Turning UK Into Nation Of ‘Little Ghettos’
