Following the conclusion of some rail projects in some states, and with the President of the Federal Government of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval, Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has named the railway stations along the Lagos-Ibadan corridor as well as others on the Itakpe/Ajaokuta/Aladja-Warri after some deserving Nigerian citizens.
A statement by the Ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations (DPPR), Mr. Eric Ojiekwe, noted that the deserving citizens have contributed to the progress and development of their respective communities and the nation at large.
The Saraki family, one of the beneficiaries, described the President’s action and conferment on late Abubakar Saraki as a commendable recognition of his contribution to national development.
According to the statement, for the Lagos-Ibadan, with extension to the Lagos Port Complex at Apapa railway station, the beneficiaries are Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Apapa station), Mobolaji Johnson (Ebute Metta station), Babatunde Raji Fashola (Agege station), Lateef Jakande (Agbado station) and Yemi Osinbajo (Kajola station).
Others are Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (Papalanto station), Wole Soyinka (Abeokuta station), Segun Osoba (Olodo station), Ladoka Akintola (Omio-Adio station), Obafemi Awolowo (Ibadan station) and Alex Ekwueme (Operation Control Centre).
For the Itakpe-Ajaokuta/Aladja-Warri Railway, the names are Adamu Attah (Itakpe station), Olusola Saraki (Ajaokuta station), Augustus Aikhomu (Itogbo station), George Innih (Agenebode station), Anthony Eromosele Enahoro (Uromi station), Tom Ikimi (Ekehen station) and Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia (rtd), (Igbanke station).
Others, according to the statement, include Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (Agbor station complex), David Ejoor (Abraka station), Micheal Ibru (Oghara station), Alfred Rewane (Ujevwu station) and Mike Akhigbe (Railway village, Agbor).
Meanwhile, the family of late Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki has expressed deep appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for naming the Ajaokuta Train Station after their beloved father and renowned statesman.
The statement signed on behalf of the family by the Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Ruquayah Saraki, reads as follows:
“The people of Kwara and Kogi have for long been closely tied by history and culture. Naming the Ajaokuta Train Station after our late father is a most welcome initiative.
“We have no doubt that the construction of the Ajaokuta Train Station by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration will contribute immensely to the economic development of our beloved country, Nigeria.
“The late Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki ardently dedicated his life to true service of the federation and indeed the people of old Kwara state and bestowing this honour is a recognition of his contributions to the development of Nigeria and one Kwara as a whole.
“We commend the President’s leadership and commitment to resuscitating rail transportation in the country and we plegde the support of the family in the realisation of these laudable efforts”, the statement noted.