The Enugu State chapter of the Action Alliance (AA) has urged Ndi Enugu to find strength in the spirit of the season despite the ongoing challenges facing Nigeria.

Leader of the party in the state, Barr. C.D. Ogbe, stated this in a message made available to DAILY GAZETTE on Wednesday.

Barr. Ogbe reminded Ndi Enugu that the birth of Christ symbolizes the liberation of mankind from the chains of despair and hopelessness.

“As we commemorate the birth of Christ in Enugu State, amidst the heart-wrenching challenges facing Nigeria, I pray that we find solace in the fact that His birth heralded the liberation of mankind from the shackles of hopelessness and despair,” he stated.

He further encouraged Enugu residents to embody the selfless nature of Christ during this festive season.

“In replicating the selfless character of Christ, as we have been commanded to do, I urge Ndi Enugu to be their brothers’ and sisters’ keepers, showing love and compassion to all,” he added, emphasizing that love is the cornerstone of Christianity.

Barr. Ogbe wished the residents of the state a joyful and peaceful Christmas celebration, reminding them that unity and love are key to overcoming the difficult times facing the nation.

In the spirit of the Christmas celebration, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Second Coming Gas Nig. Ltd, Dr. Basil Ogbuanu, has donated a 300KVA transformer to the Onuorie Obuno community in Akpugo, Nkanu West LGA, Enugu State, to help improve electricity supply in the area.

The transformer, which will be commissioned on Friday at the Community Square, Onuorie Obuno at 11am, by the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, is expected to attract other eminent personalities, including the Member representing Nkanu East/West in the House of Representatives, Hon. Nnoli Nnaji; the Executive Chairman of Nkanu West LGA, Hon. John Ogbodo; traditional rulers; community members; friends; and well-wishers, among others.

Speaking to DAILY GAZETTE on Wednesday, Dr. Ogbuanu explained that the gesture aims to address the longstanding power challenges faced by the residents of the community, particularly during the festive season.

The transformer is expected to provide a more stable power supply, ensuring that local businesses and households experience fewer disruptions.

“This gesture is a small token of my support to our community. It is my hope that this will make a significant impact on the lives of the residents, especially as we celebrate the Christmas season,” he said.

The donation is part of Dr. Ogbuanu’s continued efforts to give back to society and promote sustainable development in Enugu State.

Under his leadership, Second Coming Gas Nig. Ltd has been involved in various corporate social responsibility initiatives, focusing on education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

Many are hopeful that this donation will pave the way for further improvements in local amenities and services, ensuring a brighter future for the residents of Enugu.

Several fire incidents have occurred in different parts of Anambra State, resulting in damage to goods and property between Sunday and Tuesday.

The Anambra State Fire Service has attributed these outbreaks to carelessness and the dry weather conditions, particularly bush burning.

The first fire incident took place at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka on Sunday. The fire, which broke out in the early hours, was linked to bush burning and mishandling of the fire.

Though no lives were lost, the fire damaged one of the university’s buildings located near a bush area.

Firefighters arrived around 12:10 pm and worked until 4:20 pm to extinguish the flames and prevent further spread to nearby buildings.

On Tuesday, two more fire outbreaks occurred in Onitsha and Awka.

The first, at a residential building on Nkisi Road Housing Gate in Fegge, Onitsha, started at around 4:53 pm.

Firefighters quickly responded and were able to control the fire before it caused significant damage.

Later that day, another fire broke out along Ekwueme Square Road in Awka, near XFit, at approximately 1:49 pm. The blaze was caused by a bush fire that had spread uncontrollably.

Firefighters arrived promptly, preventing the fire from reaching nearby properties. There were no fatalities or major property losses in any of the incidents.

The Anambra State Fire Service, under the leadership of Chukwudi Chiketa, confirmed all three incidents in a statement on Tuesday.

The fire service emphasized the dangers of bush burning during the harmattan season, advising residents to take extra caution when clearing bushes to prevent fires from spreading rapidly.

The statement read: “The fire service received a distress call at 12:10 pm on Sunday, December 22, 2024, regarding a fire caused by bush burning at Nnamdi Azikiwe University. Firefighters were dispatched immediately and managed to contain the fire, which affected one building on the premises. The crew left the scene at 4:20 pm.”

It continued, “On Tuesday, December 24, at 4:53 pm, the fire service responded to a fire at Nkisi Road Housing Gate in Fegge, Onitsha. There was no loss of life. Similarly, at 1:49 pm the same day, firefighters responded to a bush fire along Ekwueme Square Road in Awka, preventing it from spreading to nearby buildings. The team left the scene at 2:41 pm.”

The fire service urged residents to be mindful of the dangers posed by bush fires and take necessary precautions, especially during the harmattan season when fire spreads quickly.

Two people have lost their lives in a tragic accident on the Benin-Agbor Road, near the Ikhinero community in Edo State.

The incident, which occurred on Tuesday evening, also left four other passengers with varying degrees of injury.

According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Sector Commander for Edo State, Cyril Mathew, three vehicles were involved in the crash.

He attributed the cause of the accident to excessive speed, urging motorists to exercise caution on the roads.

Mathew confirmed that the accident took place around 6:10 pm near the Guinness depot. Six individuals were involved in the crash, including two men and four women.

Tragically, two of the victims died at the scene, while the remaining four were promptly taken to the hospital for medical treatment.

The bodies of the deceased have been transferred to a morgue.

In his statement, Mathew reminded drivers to prioritize road safety by adhering to traffic laws, avoiding speed, steering clear of alcohol while driving, and ensuring the use of seat belts, particularly during the busy holiday season.

Over 15 passengers aboard a PMT bus traveling from Abuja to Nsukka were reportedly kidnapped on Tuesday evening in Ette, located in the Igbo Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The passengers were reportedly taken into the bush by their abductors.

Details regarding the exact number of victims remain unclear as local authorities have yet to release an official statement.

However, sources close to the incident confirmed that the number of kidnapped passengers is over 15.

At the time of this report, efforts made by DAILY GAZETTE correspondent to contact the Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, were unsuccessful.

It is not yet known whether any of the victims have been rescued or if a ransom demand has been made.

The abduction comes amid growing concerns over security during the festive season.

Authorities are under increasing pressure to enhance security measures across the state, especially in rural areas where such incidents are becoming more frequent.

The free train service launched by the federal government to alleviate the rising cost of transportation has kicked off across Nigeria, but has been marred by significant challenges, including delays, overcrowding, and chaotic boarding processes.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) was instructed by the federal government to offer these free train rides across the country as part of efforts to reduce the financial burden on Nigerians.

The service, which started this week, covers popular routes like Abuja-Kaduna, Lagos-Ibadan, Warri-Itakpe, and Lagos-Ogun Mass Transit, with an estimated 340,000 passengers expected to benefit before early January 2025.

While the initiative was widely embraced, several reports indicated that it has been plagued by disruptions.

At Rigasa Train Station in Kaduna, passengers reported overcrowding and confusion.

Despite booking tickets online, many found themselves stuck in unorganized crowds with no clear guidance on how to board.

“We arrived early, but there was no guarantee that we would get on,” said one frustrated traveler.

“It’s supposed to be free, but there’s no order here. It’s a complete mess.”

Many people believed that, because the ride was free, they could board without a ticket or reservation, contributing to further chaos at the station.

The boarding process became even more complicated at the security check, where passengers were asked for identification and tickets.

With the station overcrowded, some passengers struggled to find space to sit. One mother, holding her two-month-old baby, described how she had to climb through a window to get air for her child due to the stifling conditions.

Inside the train, confusion over assigned seating persisted. Some passengers claimed seats, while others argued that since the service was free, there were no assigned seats.

Additionally, those who missed the morning train were advised to wait for a 5 p.m. service, though there was no guarantee of getting a seat.

Despite these issues, many travelers still expressed gratitude for the free rides.

Fatima Adam, who traveled with her family to visit a friend in Abuja, said, “The free service was really helpful, and we had a smooth ride with no transportation expenses.”

Chukwu Egugolu, another passenger, praised the train service, emphasizing that it made travel more accessible for people who cannot afford expensive air travel.

In Lagos, passengers at the Babatunde Raji Fashola Train Station in Agege faced difficulties securing tickets online for the Lagos-Ibadan route. Many had to wait in long queues for the train to arrive from Mobolaji Johnson Train Station.

However, Lagos Railway District Manager, Engr. Augustine Arisa, stated that despite some challenges, the service between Lagos and Ibadan had been running smoothly, with high passenger turnout.

Meanwhile, in Warri, Delta State, the Ujevwu-Warri train service has been experiencing significant disruptions due to technical breakdowns.

Passengers have been stranded for days, particularly affecting workers and holiday travelers.

A source revealed that the service, which typically operates with two trains, had been reduced to only one, resulting in long delays and inconvenience for commuters.

The acting Managing Director of the NRC, Ben Iloanusi, has assured passengers that for those unable to secure tickets online, NRC staff will assist in profiling passengers at the stations to ensure fair access to the trains.

The free train service, which operates across six major routes, including Abuja-Kaduna, Lagos-Ibadan, and Warri-Itakpe, is expected to continue despite the operational challenges.