Mr Theophilus Okoka has assumed duty as the new controller of corrections, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Akwa Ibom State Command.

In a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, ASC Richard Metong in Uyo on Tuesday, the new controller assumed duty on Monday, December 8, following the retirement of the immediate past controller, Frank Okonkwo from active service.

The statement said the outgoing Controller, CC Frank Okonkwo, in his remarks expressed gratitude to God, the Federal Government, the Service leadership, officers and men of the Command for the cooperation and support he received throughout his tenure.

He charged the personnel to extend the same level of loyalty and professionalism to his successor for the continued progress of the Command.

It also stated that the new Controller, CC Theophilus Okoka, in his acceptance speech pledged to sustain the gains recorded by his predecessor while strengthening security, staff welfare, and inmate reformation in line with the core mandates of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

He called for the cooperation of officers and men, stakeholders, and the general public to achieve effective custodial management and successful non-custodial operations across the State.

President Bola Tinubu has temporarily opened the 37.9-kilometre Bodo–Bonny Road for public use, connecting Bodo in Gokana Local Government Area to Bonny in Bonny LGA, Rivers State.

The development brings significant relief to residents and travellers who have long relied on risky sea transport to access Bonny Island.

At the opening ceremony on Monday, President Tinubu described the project as a flagship achievement of his Renewed Hope Agenda.

He urged citizens to comply with the regulations guiding its temporary use, noting that movement will not be allowed at night.

Represented by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, the President said the road will be accessible from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, starting December 8, until its full commissioning in the first quarter of 2026.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, has announced temporary disruption of Abuja–Kaduna train service, appealing to passengers to remain patient.

The Managing Director of the Corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa, made the appeal in a statement issued on Tuesday, after public concerns over the reduced frequency of train services on the corridor.

Opeifa stated that NRC reviewed a recent article by veteran journalist Muhammad Iskeel Abdullahi published on the Journalists for Development platform, and appreciated the concerns raised as genuine and patriotic.

The Managing-Director described the Abuja–Kaduna corridor as a flagship service under Nigeria’s railway modernisation programme, noting that even minimal disruptions are widely felt by the public.

The NRC acknowledged the discomfort experienced by commuters, attributing the reduced services to damage sustained by its Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) rolling stock during an incident on August 26. It expressed regret over the inconvenience caused.

According to Opeifa, the service reduction was not due to neglect, but to two major setbacks: the March 2022 terrorist attack on the rail line, which prompted a comprehensive overhaul of safety procedures and enhanced collaboration with security agencies, and a recent derailment that damaged several coaches and reduced the number of operational rolling stock.

“The repairs and refurbishment are ongoing, while arrangements are being made to deploy additional coaches to restore normal service frequency.

“We assure passengers that the current challenges represent a phase of recovery and rebuilding rather than a decline in commitment.

“The Federal Government, under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has continued to support efforts to strengthen rail infrastructure nationwide, with the Minister of Transport working closely with the Corporation to accelerate full restoration,” Opeifa said.