Rt Hon. Amaechi, are we safe?

Abuja, August 08, 2016.

Recently, the POTFERON  (President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria) flagged off the commencement of commercial operations for the Abuja-Kaduna rail link.

The project was initiated by the OBJ  regime,  started by Yar  Adua, continued by Jonathan and completed by PMB.

This is good.  There was enough back slapping and joy on the day  to go round. Every Abuja VVIP was there. Only the Chief Justice was left out. It was heartwarming seeing the POTFERON with his usual innocent and sincere smile performing the event, surrounded by beaming Ministers, and the heads of the National Assembly.

SAFETY MATTERS THE MINISTER MUST MANAGE.
Questions arise for the Minister of Transportation on this matter.
How safe are the right of way of the rail line? Hope we would not have villagers causing avoidable casualties by claiming right of way? This question is very vital because an express train is not common to our country, and the speed may be unfamiliar to villagers who tend to see any clearing passing through their domain as additional free space to utilize for trading, or even recreation. Not to mention as a store.

Measures must be put in place to sensitize villagers along the rail trail to avoid tampering with the rail line, or putting anything on the lines.  They must also be educated to steer clear of the vicinity whenever a train is approaching. We can not afford to have avoidable accidents.

There should also be a means of protecting the rail from encroachment by herdsmen who may be crossing the railway with their cattle. They need to be educated to the dangers of carelessness in such circumstances.

Further, the stations most be secured so that it does not become a haven for unwanted entities. Anyone not having business at the stations must not be allowed there. This to prevent muggers and pickpockets.

INSURANCE VITAL.
In all the above, apart from the precautions, the biggest safety issue is personal accident insurance for the passengers.if this has not been effected,  it should be effected forthwith. There should be no compromise. Insurance must be effected, for full value, and premium paid to the underwriters.

NAICOM and the Ministry to collaborate.
NAICOM  being the adviser to government on insurance matters may want to take up this matter. This writer too  can submit necessary advice to government on what needs to be done. Insurance is the civilized risk management measure of choice.

The Passenger Liability ,  and Personal Accident Insurance for workers must be effected. That is what will ensure that we are safe as we step onto the railway platform to enjoy the high speed rail link with Kaduna from Abuja.

Please, hail the magicians.

Our boys again showed the Nigeria spirit (Courage in the face of adversity

"WE SHOOK UP THE WORLD"
Exactly twenty years after the first Dream Team shook up the world by winning the Olympic gold medal for the fist time, their  successors, Dream Team VI, again shook up the world. They came from the valley to the surface, and grabbed the attention of all by sheer grit.

TREPIDATIONS
Nigerians had watched with trepidation as the noose seem to be closing around their favorite National Team, the Dream Team. First, it was the argument over whether they were permitted to go to Atlanta  to train. Then the embarrassment of being abandoned there, mere hours to the opening match against Japan.

The final nail was the less than  inspiring answer given by the Most Honourable and hardworking Minister of sports.

0-3 LOSS BY WALKOVER?"
It was like we were going to set another record: becoming the first nation  in History to lose an Olympic football match through a walk over. Trapped in Atlanta, while we were expected to meet a Japanese team that has been in Brazil almost two weeks previous. Yet no word from Abuja.

"MIRACLES ARE FOREVER"
It was at this point that, in the usual manner, a Deus  Ex Machina  made an appearance. Delta Airlines finally arranged an NBA plane to ferry the distraught players straight to, not Rio, but directly to the match venue. An upside to this extraordinary mix up is that the plane was more comfortable than the regular plane, since it is the one used to hop NAPLES to basketball games around the United States. The players were able to relax a bit ( lion hearts that they are) while the plane whipped them through the air at 800km/hour. So we made it to match venue with few  hours to spare.

Energetic Performance.
The Japanese, apparently remembering the 1996 experience, when we harvested their scalp on our way to Gold, meant to kill off any such thoughts. The first few minutes produced a ding doing of goals resulting in 4 goals, and a 2-2scoreline.  But then Nigerians ignored all the distractions, emotional and physical, of the last few days and fired on all cylinders to power to a 5-2 lead. Play all your life today, rest tomorrow.

Fatigue, and the tenacity of the Japs allowed them to pull 2 back for a 5-4 final scoreline. But the spiel has been laid: the word has been given : when Nigeria is your opponent,  anything can happen, don't look at our challenges, we overcome them to surprise all, including oirselves.

WE MUST CHANGE
The Success in the face of adversity is not to say that we should not hold people to account.  For instance, those responsible for the Atlanta debacle should be made to face the consequences of their incompetence, and our boys should be compensated for the trauma they went through at the hands of incompetent officials.

Nigerians, we should  stop taking incompetence from our civil servants who we are paying so much to.

Bayo.