By Mike Abbah
A student body has stressed the need for adequate funding of the nation’s railway system. The National Association of Oduduwa Students, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife made this observation during a visit to the Nigeria Railway Corporation Head Office in Lagos.
The students have therefore called on the federal government not to relent in its commitment to provide adequate funding for the development of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) because of the numerous benefit of the railway to ordinary Nigerians.
The students who visited the NRC office were received by the Corporation’s Managing Director, Engr. Fidet Freeborn Okhiria.
Okhiria told the visiting students that the completion of the ongoing construction of Lagos – Ibadan Standard Gauge Railway was a priority of government stressing that it would be a relief to commuters when completed by end of the year.
He said it would enable workers in Lagos to choose to reside in Ibadan from where they would commute to work daily, at less expenses.
The student body which presented a merit award to Okhiria said it was pleased with his commitment at ensuring the effective discharge of the duties of NRC, a development it said was commendable.
The students noted that the standard gauge service is a fast train that can shuttle between Lagos and Ibadan at top speed and that it will be a great relief to workers at these hard times.
Okhiria, who thanked the students for the kind gesture, advised them to be disciplined and to be youth of exemplary character to be able to occupy critical leadership positions in the future.
President of the Association, Mr. Adekunle Adeniyi in his remarks at the award presentation ceremony commended the Okhiria-led management of the Corporation over the progress so far made in the development of the rail transport sector of the country.
