News
Yuletide: FG plans 60 buses for inter-state routes
The Federal Government is set to unveil a total of 60 buses any moment from now as part of its commitment to ease the transportation of Nigerians travelling by road during the yuletide season.
This initiative is part of an agreement signed with transport unions under the Ministry of Transportation’s free transportation programme.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, Michael Oluwagbemi, disclosed this during an interview with Sunday PUNCH, on Friday.
On Friday, the government, through the Nigerian Railway Corporation, declared free rides for 340,000 train users travelling to their hometowns for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Providing further updates on the scheme, Oluwagbemi said the buses for the programme would soon be launched for the benefit of Nigerians.
He explained that the buses would transport passengers travelling between Abuja and neighbouring states, as well as to Lagos, Ibadan, Abeokuta, and other surrounding areas.
Oluwagbemi said, “There is an agreement on the mass-transit programme. You all already know that in Abuja today, we have those 15 buses running interstate from here to Gwagwalada, to Keffi and Nyanya, as well as Zuba in Niger State.
“That programme is already ongoing, and it will be expanded to interstate routes this week. So, we are going to put an additional 60 buses to run interstate here in Abuja and neighbouring states, as well as Lagos, Ibadan, and Abeokuta and neighbouring states.
“These buses will be providing free transportation till the beginning of next year as part of the Ministry of Transportation’s free transportation programme.”
Oluwagbemi also stated that the government planned to reduce transportation costs by converting cab drivers’ vehicles to CNG by the end of January 2025.
He added, “We signed a number of those agreements, but mainly two types of agreements, the transporters-vehicle agreement, where we are converting their vehicles.
“I believe a lot of them are now converted and before the end of January, they should be able to apply those discounts when they reach the benchmark targets.”
News
Breaking: Wife of former DSP, Ekweremadu, released from UK prison, returns home
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Mrs. Beatrice Ekweremadu, wife of ex-Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has returned to Nigeria.
A reliable source on Wednesday confirmed her return to VANGUARD.
It will be recalled that Senator Ekweremadu, his wife, and Dr. Obinna Obeta were sentenced by a UK court over charges related to organ harvesting.
The former Deputy Senate President received a 10-year prison sentence, while Mrs. Ekweremadu was sentenced to six years.
News
18 States Move To Block Trump’s Order Ending Birthright Citizenship For Immigrant Children In US
A coalition of Democratic state attorneys general filed a federal lawsuit on Tuesday to block President Trump’s executive order aimed at eliminating birthright citizenship.
Shortly after taking office on Monday, Trump used presidential powers to initiate his long-promised immigration crackdown. His executive actions included an order directing the federal government to stop issuing passports, citizenship certificates, and other documents to many children born in the U.S. whose mothers are in the country illegally or whose parents are not legal permanent residents.
According to CBS News, the lawsuit, filed by 18 states in federal court in Massachusetts, argues that Mr. Trump’s initiative violates the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which has long been interpreted by the federal government to grant citizenship to those born on American soil.
The cities of San Francisco and Washington, D.C., have also joined the suit.
The 14th Amendment says: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”
“The great promise of our nation is that everyone born here is a citizen of the United States, able to achieve the American dream,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement to CBS News.
“This fundamental right to birthright citizenship, rooted in the 14th Amendment and born from the ashes of slavery, is a cornerstone of our nation’s commitment to justice.”
The lawsuit seeks a preliminary injunction to stop the enforcement of the executive order and ultimately aims to have it invalidated.
The states participating in the suit include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
“The President’s executive order attempting to rescind birthright citizenship is blatantly unconstitutional and quite frankly, un-American,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement.
The states are asking the court to immediately block the order from taking effect.
Mr. Trump directed that his order should be enforced in 30 days.
News
Burkina Faso outlaws colonial-era judicial wigs to embrace cultural identity
In a historic attempt to decolonise the country’s judiciary, President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso has formally banned judges from wearing wigs from the British and French colonial eras.
President Traoré emphasised in his announcement the importance of eschewing colonial-era traditions and implementing customs that respect Burkina Faso’s cultural identity.
The action is in line with his larger plan to fortify national identity and declare the nation’s autonomy from outside influences. The colonial wigs, which have traditionally stood for outside authority in African legal systems, are gradually being abandoned.
-
News17 hours ago
Reps Reject Coastal Guard Proposal, Call for Enhanced Navy Funding
-
News23 hours ago
Just in: Police nab pastor after discovering python, buried casket in church altar
-
News17 hours ago
Finance Ministry Seeks Upward Review Of N25bn In 2025 Budget Allocation
-
News24 hours ago
Putin, Xi praise ties hours after Trump sworn in
-
News20 hours ago
NBET, MOFI Give Details Of 2024 Budget Performance, Presents 2025 Projections
-
Foreign10 hours ago
Trump fires Fagan, first woman to lead US military service
-
News23 hours ago
Trump sacks 4 officials in first truth social post after inauguration
-
News22 hours ago
NASS Joint Committee Queries Minister Over Alleged Budget Disparities in Regional Development Projects