A civil society organisation, Alliance for Public Asset Protection and Accountability (APAPA), has petitioned the National Assembly over what it described as a “coordinated and deliberate scheme” to strip the country’s railway system of valuable assets under the guise of scrap sales.

In a detailed petition submitted to Senate and the House of Representatives, the group accused the Minister of Transport, Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali, of conniving with officials of the Railway Property Management Company Limited (RPMCL) and handpicked consultants to unlawfully dispose of railway assets worth billions of naira without proper accountability.

The petition, signed by its president, Dr. Aminu Garba, described the activities of the ministry as a “brazen betrayal of public trust” and called for the immediate sack of the minister.

“We have credible intelligence that the Minister of Transport, in collusion with officials of the Railway Property Management Company Limited (RPMCL), has engaged private consultants to dispose of critical railway infrastructure without transparency or accountability,” the petition reads.

“These so-called consultants are not known to the public service. They were handpicked without competitive bidding, and their sole mission is to oversee the hurried sales of functioning railway equipment labelled falsely as scrap.

“Some of the locomotives and signalling systems being sold were acquired less than a decade ago and are still in good condition. These are not outdated machines — they are valuable assets.

“The buyers are mostly Chinese firms who, in collaboration with insiders, acquire these items at rock-bottom prices and ship them abroad. The Nigerian people gain nothing from these transactions.”

The group alleged that since Alkali’s appointment, the railway sector has recorded no meaningful progress. On the contrary, it said trains frequently break down in remote and dangerous locations, leaving passengers stranded and exposed to security threats.

“Instead of consolidating on the gains recorded under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, particularly in railway modernisation and safety, the current leadership of the Ministry of Transport is singularly focused on self-enrichment and clandestine deals at the expense of national development,” the group noted.

“In the last one year, the rail sector has regressed significantly. Trains now break down mid-journey in the middle of nowhere. There are no new coaches. No investment in safety. No innovation. Only secret asset sales and dubious scrap deals.”

The civic group further alleged that locomotives, steel tracks, signalling equipment, and other high-value railway infrastructure were being sold as scraps to Chinese companies and other private entities without due process or remittance of proceeds into government coffers.

“We find it disturbing that there is no visible reinvestment of proceeds from these so-called scrap sales. The Ministry has failed to provide any financial records showing inflows to the government purse,” the group added.

“Instead of improving rail safety and efficiency, the current administration of the Transport Ministry has made rail travel more dangerous and unreliable. The few trains in operation are poorly maintained and frequently stranded.

“We therefore demand the immediate sack of Minister Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali and a full public inquiry into the activities of the Railway Property Management Company Limited and the consultants involved in these suspicious transactions.”

The group also accused the minister of ignoring existing policies and bypassing the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), both of which are statutory agencies responsible for asset disposal and infrastructure concessions.

“This government cannot afford to look the other way while national assets are looted in broad daylight,” Dr. Garba stated.

In a message directed to the leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives, the group urged lawmakers to act swiftly to salvage what is left of Nigeria’s railway sector before it is stripped bare.

The CSO warned that it would mobilise civil society and initiate a nationwide campaign to expose the alleged rot if no action was taken within 30 days.

Abeokuta — As part of its ongoing commitment to youth and sports development, the Matico Sports Foundation has announced an initiative to reward Ogun State athletes who finish among the top three in their events with instant cash prizes during the Gateway Games 2024.

The founder of the foundation, Mr. Oluwaṣeun Adebowale, commended the Ogun State Government, led by His Excellency, Prince Dr. Dapọ Abiodun, CON, for the successful hosting of the national sports festival. He noted that the foundation established with the core mission of empowering young talents through sports finds it especially important to support local athletes now that the festival is being held in Ogun State.

In his words, “As someone who has consistently supported and encouraged young talents in sports, I believe it’s only right to do even more now that my home state is hosting the games. Our athletes deserve motivation, and we are prepared to reward excellence instantly.”

The Matico Sports Foundation team will be present at various venues across the state including M.K.O.Sporting Complex , Alake Sports Centre, Ijebu-Ode, Ilishan, and others to present cash gifts to Ogun State athletes who secure podium finishes.

This initiative aligns with the vision of the Ogun State Government to promote sports as a tool for youth engagement and community development.

Mr. Adebowale further urged all Ogun State athletes to rise to the occasion and give their best, reminding them that their performance is not only a personal achievement but also a source of pride for the entire state.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
God bless Ogun State.
God bless Obafemi Owode Local Government.

Oluwaseun Adebowale “MATICO” hails from Ajura Ward 04 in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.

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A Throne Beyond Borders: Ogiame Atuwatse III’s Visit Rekindles Itsekiri Diaspora Identity

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

Sahara Weekly Unveils When Ogiame Atuwatse III CFR, the revered Olu of Warri, visited South Africa recently, it wasn’t merely a royal courtesy; it was a cultural revival and a historic reconnection with the Itsekiri diaspora. Hosted by the ever-dedicated Ugbajo Itsekiri South Africa Chapter, led by Mr. Eyitemi Jakpa (Olaga), and guided by the unwavering support of the Chapter’s Patron (Dr. Oritseweyinmi Anthony McNeil), the event became a symbol of unity, identity, and the resilience of tradition.

For the first time, the Itsekiri diaspora in South Africa welcomed their monarch not through screens or stories but in flesh, spirit, and majesty.

“This is not a visit; it is a revival,” declared Chief Richmond MacGrey, the Ugiaga Nusi of Warri Kingdom, who commended the organizers and gave his blessings. “The king’s presence among us has rekindled our ancestral pride. I score Ugbajo Itsekiri South Africa 100% for this historic achievement.”

Chief MacGrey was invisibly moved and affirmed his commitment to future engagements. “I will be in South Africa again when Ogiame returns next. May this be the beginning of deeper bonds between our homeland and our diaspora.”

A Community That Delivered

From airport reception to traditional festivities, every detail was meticulously arranged. The Ugbajo executives delivered not just an event, but an experience worthy of a revered king. Their coordination with South African officials, the Nigerian High Commission, and the Zulu nation, with their traditional groups, showcased the Itsekiri nation’s prestige.

Dr. McNeil, a respected medical practitioner, academic, and cultural leader, was instrumental throughout the scenes. His vision has always been to fuse diaspora engagement with heritage preservation.

“Royalty is not just about tradition but about consciousness,” Chief Richmond MacGrey said.

“Ogiame’s visit reminds us who we are and, more importantly, who we must become. Our children must inherit pride, not confusion.”

The King’s Message: Build Where Your Roots Lie

In his address, Ogiame Atuwatse III CFR emphasized a sacred duty: that all Itsekiris, no matter where they reside, must stay connected to Warri—not just emotionally but economically, politically, and spiritually.

“Let not distance dilute your duty,” Ogiame said. “Build where your ancestors lie. Let your success abroad be Warri’s gain, not its loss.”

This message echoed with urgency. The monarch’s visit was not a photo opportunity. It was a call to service, investment, and unity.

Chief Richmond MacGrey expanded on this during a panel session in his first visit to South Africa: “We must send more than remittances. We must send ideas, education, and influence. We must be intentional architects of Warri’s future.”

Cultural Diplomacy on Display

Ogiame’s engagement with the Zulu King, cultural leaders, and diplomatic stakeholders elevated the Warri monarchy’s standing beyond Nigeria. He symbolized Africa’s royal Legacy, dignified, enlightened, and forward-looking.

“Ogiame is not just the king of Warri,” said Chief MacGrey, “he is a son of the African soul.”

The cross-cultural respect on display proved that Nigerian traditional institutions still command immense global reverence when represented with clarity, class, and consistency.

Diaspora as Custodians of Identity

For Itsekiris living abroad, the challenges of assimilation are real. Culture fades. Language is lost. Roots blur. But this visit has sparked a revival. Parents brought their children. Songs were sung. Traditional attire returned. And most importantly, a generation saw their king walk among them.

“We are one people, one heritage, one destiny under one crown,” Ogiame declared to a cheering crowd.

Such words are not merely poetic; they are prophetic.

The synergy between Mr. Jakpa, Dr. McNeil, and their executive team is a textbook case of effective diaspora organizing. Through unity and devotion, they turned what could have been a routine courtesy into a historical homecoming.

“Leadership is not position, it is devotion,” Chief Richmond MacGrey said. “This team has shown uncommon devotion to our king, our people, and our future.”

A Model for Other Ethnic Diasporas

The success of this visit should inspire other Nigerian and African communities abroad. Culture must not be archived. It must be activated. The crown must not be hidden but must be honored.

Ogiame Atuwatse III’s visit to South Africa is now part of living Itsekiri history. It reminded the diaspora that no matter how far one travels, the crown travels with them.

With strong leaders and visionary minds like Dr. McNeil and organizational anchors like Mr. Jakpa (Olaga), the Itsekiri nation is not only surviving abroad, but it is thriving.

And as the drums of Warri echo across continents, one thing is clear:

A throne that commands love from across oceans is not just a symbol of tradition, it is a beacon of cultural immortality.