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'NIGERIA HOPES FOR RAILWAY'S RESSURECTION' - Excerpts from a Financial Times article

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<span style="line-height: 19.3199996948242px;">"Since it (the Lagos - Kano rail line) reopened in December, the twice-weekly route linking the country’s two largest cities has been nearly fully booked, with passengers attracted by the low prices — at $12, a second-class ticket is less than half the cost of the cheapest bus fare — and the relative comforts and safety of long-distance rail travel."</span></div>
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"The resumption of the service is the firs<span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline;">t achievement of a multibillion-dollar effort to revive Nigeria’s railways, whose decline had come to symbolize the rot in the country’s infrastructure. With Chinese contractors leading the way, the colonial-era network is being rehabilitated and new lines built."</span></div>
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"Yet in an age of high-speed rail, where travel at more than 124 mph is normal, the train to Kano chugs along at 31 mph. That this is celebrated as progress in Nigeria illustrates not only the state of the railways but also the difficulty of effecting real reform in the opaque, state-run sectors of the economy."</div>
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"Northern Nigeria, home to half the population and a struggling economy, would especially benefit, because items including petrol and food come by road from the southern ports. The region’s produce, such as skins and hides for export, goes back the same way in containers."</div>
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"Bashir Borodo, a Kano businessman and former president of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, said the resumption of rail freight had already had a “dramatic” effect. “Rates for moving commercial goods on the train are much cheaper than by road,” he said. “It’s a saving grace for the northern economy.” "</div>
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(Narrating a woman's experience) "During her trip, the sweltering second-class carriage was packed with families, with some forced to sit in the aisle. With no running water on the train, the toilet facilities were soon a mess. Farther back, passengers in the air-conditioned first-class section, which included four policemen to guard the train, watched a Nigerian film."</div>
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"By late afternoon, workers in the restaurant car were stirring semolina fufu in a large pot. Music flowed from the bar, where Emmanuel Okewu, a 21-year-old shoemaker, had a Turbo King beer in one hand and a bottle of gin in the other."</div>
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The Washington Post also shared the article.</div>
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'NIGERIA HOPES FOR RAILWAY'S RESSURECTION' - Excerpts from a Financial Times article

"Since it (the Lagos - Kano rail line) reopened in December, the twice-weekly route linking the country’s two largest cities has been...

00:54

Tambuwal: Jonathan calls emergency PDP meeting

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<span class="date published time" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.5px; text-transform: uppercase;" title="2014-10-30T00:01:59+00:00">OCTOBER 30, 2014</span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.5px; text-transform: uppercase;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 19.5px; text-transform: uppercase;">BY JOHN AMEH, OLUSOLA FABIYI AND OLALEKAN ADETAYO, ABUJA</span><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px; text-transform: uppercase;"> </span></h1>
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<span class="st_plusone_buttons" displaytext="plusone" st_processed="yes" st_title="Tambuwal: Jonathan calls emergency PDP meeting" st_url="http://www.punchng.com/news/tambuwal-jonathan-calls-emergency-pdp-meeting/" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;"></span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, Verdana, 'Bitstream Vera Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.5px;" />
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<img alt="Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal" class="attachment-bigstoryimage" height="225" src="http://punch.cdn.ng/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Aminu-Tambuwal-360x225.jpg" style="background-color: whitesmoke; border: none; float: left; margin-right: 10px; padding: 4px;" width="360" /><div class="featured-image-caption" style="clear: both; color: #dd0000; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 5px 10px 0px;">
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal</div>
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President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday engaged some leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party in a meeting aimed at taking a common position on the Tuesday defection of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal.</div>
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The meeting took place hours after the House said the PDP, individuals and groups condemning the defection of   the speaker to the All Progressives Congress should not dictate to it on how to conduct its affairs.</div>
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Tambuwal had announced his defection from the PDP before he adjourned sitting till December 3.</div>
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The situation made the President to summon the National Chairman of the PDP,   Adamu Mu’azu, to the meeting which had the Deputy Speaker of the House, Emeka Ihedioha; the Deputy Leader of the House, Mr. Leo Ogor; and a member from Delta State, Ndudi Elumelu, in attendance.</div>
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Some PDP governors such as Gabriel Suswam (Benue); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa): Ibrahim Dankwabo (Gombe) and Sullivan Chime (Enugu) were also part of the meeting.</div>
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Top government officials who attended the parley   included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim; the National Security Adviser,   Sambo Dasuki; and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Muhammed Adoke (SAN).</div>
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One of those in attendance told one of our correspondents on the condition of anonymity that the meeting centered on how to make Tambuwal vacate his seat as speaker.</div>
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“The issue of the Speaker and his exit was one of the fundamental issues discussed at the meeting,” he   said.</div>
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The source however did not disclose the decision reached at the meeting.</div>
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Another source said that Ihedioha “took the heat at the meeting.”</div>
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He did not explain further.</div>
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The presence of Adoke and Dasuki at the meeting suggested that they might have reviewed the legal and security implications of the options available to them with the two government officials.</div>
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Earlier, Mu’azu had at another meeting   the President had   with a delegation of the Federal Capital Territory Council of Chiefs,   dropped the hint that Jonathan summoned him.</div>
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“The President had summoned me for a meeting. I was with him when he wanted to come and receive you and he told me to follow you. I only did follow follow,” he had told members of the delegation.</div>
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The PDP had shortly after Tambuwal announced his defection called on him to do the needful by resigning as speaker.</div>
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The party, argued through its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, that since Tambuwal became the speaker on the ticket of the “majority party (PDP), he had no right to continue to occupy the seat.</div>
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But the House said on Tuesday that   the PDP and most of the commentators on the issue were “ignorant” of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the House Standing Orders.</div>
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The   Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs,   Victor Ogene, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues,   said Tambuwal did not breach any law in defecting to the APC.</div>
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He also noted that there was no provision in the constitution prescribing that the speaker must be elected from among the majority party members.</div>
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Ogene cited Section 50 (1)(b) of the constitution to buttress his argument.</div>
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He said, “The clear provisions of Section 50(1) (b) of the Nigerian Constitution easily settle the worries regarding the continued speakership of Tambuwal – ‘There shall be a Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves.’’’</div>
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He also noted that the speaker was elected as the representative of the “generality of Nigerians” and not necessarily because he belonged to a particular political party.</div>
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On the views of some “commentators” that Tambuwal should have vacated his office by virtue of the provision of Section 68(1)(g) of the constitution, he replied that the matter was still awaiting judicial decision.</div>
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Ogene added, “It is common knowledge that following the defection of 37 members of the House in December 2013, from the PDP to APC, there has been multiple court cases on the matter, thus rendering it subjudice to discuss any likely outcome.</div>
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“Everyone is thus enjoined to await the final judicial pronouncement on the issue of defection, which has afflicted virtually all political parties in the land.”</div>
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He warned the PDP   against interfering with the lawmakers’ “privilege” and constitutionally-guaranteed freedom to choose their leaders.</div>
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Ogene stated, “Additionally, Order 1, Rule 1 (2) of the Standing Orders of the House of Representatives states: ‘ In all cases not provided for hereinafter, or by sectional or other Orders, precedents or practices of the House, the House shall by resolution regulate its procedure.’</div>
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“It is in the light of the foregoing that the House wishes to appeal to those who seek to regulate its procedure from outside its hallowed chambers to have a rethink, as the nation’s Constitution, the Standing Orders of the House and precedent – as in the Speakership of the late Edwin Ume-Ezeoke in the Second Republic on a minority platform – have all provided answers to what would have otherwise been a knotty political issue.”</div>
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But as Ogene spoke, the PDP through its National Vice-Chairman of the party in the South-South, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh,   vowed to do everything within its powers to regain   the speakership of the House.</div>
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Ojougboh told journalists at the national headquarters of the party in Abuja that there was no way Tambuwal and other defectors from the party would be allowed to go away with the party’s mandate.</div>
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He said, “PDP is a very disciplined party. If you come and steal in the PDP and use the PDP to elevate yourself and get into office when the time comes, God will get you out like the issue of Tambuwal.</div>
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“You can see how God has exposed him. PDP will do everything within the law to regain its seat and that is what we are going to do in Edo and Rivers states as well. We are going back to the South-South to regain our seats.”</div>
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Tambuwal: Jonathan calls emergency PDP meeting

OCTOBER 30, 2014 BY JOHN AMEH, OLUSOLA FABIYI AND OLALEKAN ADETAYO, ABUJA Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Aminu Ta...

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A letter to young people everywhere

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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My
Dear Jewels of Inestimable Value,<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The thought of you
makes me look to the future with confidence. Yes, when I look at you my heart
leaps with joy because your worth is beyond imagination. Can anyone truly guess
all that will come out from you in this life for the good of humanity? Am I
wrong to say that may be you are that leader who will arise to bring joy to
your country, your people and those whom you will have responsibility over?
There is nothing about you today to suggest that you cannot rise from where you
are right now, no matter how you or anyone else may choose to describe your
present situation, to that place of fulfillment. And I am saying this with
every sense of responsibility.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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              <img alt="Hints for Learning a Foreign Language Fast" src="http://cdn.womanitely.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Hints-for-Learning-a-Foreign-Language-Fast.jpg" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The mistake of many
nations, cities, communities, and homes is the failure to provide an enabling
environment and the needed discipline for their young minds to dream good
dreams and engage in positive inquest so as to get what it takes to release
their potentials for the good of humanity.</span></i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21.4666652679443px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Isn't</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> it somewhat
amazing that you may at this time in your life feel outrageously flattered by
what you are hearing? Or it is possible that you may be feeling unnecessarily
patronized. Whatever the case, it is my hope that you will give me a little of
your time to hear what I have to say. When I say that you are wiser, greater,
smarter, and more intelligent than you agree with and worth much more than you
look, your present condition notwithstanding, please believe me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Your looks today and at
whatever time do not and cannot reveal the fullness of the glory in you. Never
forget that!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">My Dear, it is possible
that, saying that you are going through very trying and difficult times will be
saying the least. You may be going through what Sharon had to go through at a
young age. She had gained admission to study Medicine and Surgery but nearly
missed the opportunity because of lack of funds. From her first month in school
everything seemed to work against her. She could not fit into several social
circles because of her very poor background. Coming from a very poor home, she
knew and kept her limits and though she desired to be able to get her hands on
several things that several other students her age took for granted, she just </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">couldn't</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As if her financial
challenges were not enough for a young person of her age she carried the burden
of having a near-invalid mother at home, a tirelessly working father who could
barely put food on the table and two other siblings who had to drop out of
school to enable her keep her dream of becoming a Medical Doctor alive. Her
father had sold their choice piece of land to enable her start off at school.
The siblings now engage in every available menial job to help their father
provide the minimum medical care which their mother needed and to send the
remaining to keep Sharon at school. They were just satisfied to carry on with
near empty pockets and empty food store at home. This was the burden which
young Sharon had to carry as she studied hard to make it through college. But,
her dream nearly came to an abrupt end. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It was just another
day, with the birds welcoming everyone into a day that began with brightness,
thereby hiding the soon to happen and evil news that will leave many
devastated, including Sharon. Since entering college Sharon has won the envy of
her fellow students and the respect of her teachers through hard work. The
college library staffs have all fallen in love with her because of her way of
life and good use of the library. So, this day, she was in the library looking
up some books and some medical journals so as to gather information for her
turn to do presentation in physiology class. Having spent just about thirty
minutes she wondered why she was feeling uneasy and wanted, more than anything,
to go back to her room. It was at this point that one of the library staff came
close to her and requested to have some time with her. On getting to her desk
she met an unusual gathering of some of her class mates and few friends and
immediately she knew something was wrong. It was the library staff - with whom
she had built a kind of mother-daughter relationship - that broke the news to
her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">The mention of death sent Sharon gasping for air and needed to be given
first Aid. Sharon’s father had been hit by a drunk driver the night before and
died in the early hours of the day. It </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">wouldn't</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> be enough to say that Sharon
was devastated rather it will be better to say that she ‘slumped into
devastation’, so deep that the hope of recovery was dim. In less than two hours
Sharon had lost consciousness twice and needed to be resuscitated. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Sharon had </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 19px; line-height: 21.4666652679443px;">dreamed</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> of
becoming a Medical Doctor not just for money but to give the best care to her
mother and help her siblings get back to school. She wanted more than anything
to end the misery that was so clearly written over the father’s face. A misery
she had known all through her young life. Now, the candle which was providing
her the little flickering light as she was navigating the torturous path of
life into which she was born was gone. Her world crumbled! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">...to be continued</span></span></div>
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A letter to young people everywhere

My Dear Jewels of Inestimable Value, The thought of you makes me look to the future with confidence. Yes, when I look at you my heart ...