Students Call For Adequate Funding Of Railway
The National Association of Oduduwa Students, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, has urged the Federal Government to give priority to funding of the Nigerian Railway Corporation for the benefit of the people.
The President of the Association, Mr. Adekunle Adeniyi stated this in his remarks at the award presentation ceremony, where he commended the Management of the Corporation, led by Managing Director, Fidet Okhiria, over the progress so far made in the development of the rail transport sector of the country.
He also gave kudos to the management of the Corporation over commencement of the Abuja to Kaduna passenger train service, the ongoing construction of Lagos to Ibadan Standard Gauge Railway line, introduction of air-conditioned Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) train shuttle service from Iddo to Ijoko and back, and increase in track from 3,505 kilometers in 1964 to 4,332 in 2017.
Adeniyi also commended the present management of the Corporation for changing the face of Railway in Nigeria.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Corporation, Engr. Fidet Freeborn Okhiria said that when the ongoing construction of the Lagos to Ibadan Standard Gauge Railway line is completed by December next year, a worker in Lagos can reside at Ibadan and resume work in Lagos daily.
Okhiria, who made this known when members of the National Association of Oduduwa Students presented a merit award to him at the headquarters of the Corporation recently in Lagos.
He stated that the Standard Gauge service is a fast train that can shuttle between Lagos and Ibadan at top speed and workers will enjoy the benefit of living at Ibadan where the standard of living is lower compared to Lagos.
He advised the students to be contented with whatever position they occupy after graduation and not be in a hurry to acquire wealth.
