Lekan's Blog

Heavy traffic as train crashes into trailer in Kaduna Lekan Macualay A Lagos bound train from Kano collided with a trailer at railway crossing in Kawo, Kaduna, and cut the trailer into two, the Federal Road Safety Corps said in Kaduna on Wednesday. The Sector Commander of FRSC in the state, Mr. Francis Udoma, said that the incident occurred at 3 a.m., adding however, that no life was lost. Udoma explained that the train, carrying Nigerian soldiers and civilians, crashed into the trailer, belonging to W.A Group of Companies, carrying sugarcane. He said the accident occurred when the driver of the trailer insisted on crossing the rail line even when the train was blaring. He said the incident caused traffic jam that lasted for six hours. Udoma said motorist coming from Kano and other northern states, as well as those coming from the southern and the eastern part of the country were all stranded at the railway crossing. He said, “We deployed our men, including...

Obama derailing smooth transition with inflammatory statements – Trump By Lekan Macualay President Barack Obama and US president elect Donald Trump US President-elect Donald Trump poured kerosene on a simmering dispute with Barack Obama Wednesday, accusing him of derailing a smooth transition with “inflammatory” statements and “roadblocks.” Ever since the November 8 election, Trump and Obama have tried to bury political differences in favour of a united public front that would smooth the transfer of power on January 20. But the Republican president-in-waiting unceremoniously cast any bonhomie aside in a morning twitter tirade from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. In a declaration that is unprecedented in its personal condemnation of a soon-to-be predecessor, the 70-year-old tweeted: “Doing my best to disregard the many inflammatory President O statements and roadblocks.” “Thought it was going to be a smooth transition – NOT!” Tensions between Trump and t...

Buhari gives out daughter in marriage By Lekan Macualay President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday gave out his daughter, Zahra Muhammadu Buhari, in marriage to Ahmed Indimi. The wedding Fatiha took place after the Deputy Chief Imam of the National Mosque, Sheikh Ibrahim Makari, performed the two Jumma’at Prayer. A representative of the Indimi family whose name was not disclosed, paid 12 gold coins which was converted and valued at N250,000, the amount for the dowry. The Sarkin Fulanin Daura, Alhaji Yusuf Sani, gave out Zahra on behalf of the Buhari family. Dignitaries who attended the wedding included former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Namadi Sambo, Senate President Bukola Saraki and Chief Bisi Akande. The dignitaries also included governors Rauf Aregbesola, Nasir El-rufai, Umaru Almakura, Yahaya Bello and Aminu Masari, among others. President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the Federal Government is not spending any money on the wed...

Gov escapes death as 200 die in Akwa Ibom church collapse By Lekan Macualay The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, narrowly escaped death on Saturday as the building of Reigners’ Bible Church Int’l Inc, along Uyo Village Road, Uyo, the state capital, collapsed during service. The incident left about 200 worshippers dead. Sources said it took the efforts of the governor’s security officers to whisk him away to safety. He was said to have sustained a minor injury. SUNDAY PUNCH  learnt that the governor was in the church attending the ordination of the church’s Presiding Pastor, Bishop Elect Akan Weeks, when the building gave way few minutes before offering period. One of the aides, who rescued the governor, was said to have died at a nearby hospital where he was rushed to. A security officer, who did not want to be named, said many dignitaries who accompanied the governor to the church also died. Our correspondent gathered that the Secretary to t...