FG to extend Abuja rail services to five northern cities

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The Federal Government has announced plans to extend rail services from Abuja to Zaria, Kaduna, Kano, Daura and Katsina, with the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Olufunsho Adebiyi, saying the development would create fresh employment opportunities for Nigerians.

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Adebiyi disclosed this on Friday at the maiden convocation ceremony of the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, Zaria, Kaduna State.

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He said the Federal Government was investing massively in transport infrastructure and urged the graduands to acquire the skills required to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the sector.

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“By January next year, you can join a train from Abuja to Kaduna, Zaria, Kano, Daura, and Katsina,” the permanent secretary said.

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Adebiyi, who disclosed that he was a product of NITT, said the training he received at the institute in 1995, alongside other professional programmes, contributed significantly to his career development.

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He commended the institute for its contribution to manpower development in the transport sector through professional training, capacity building and research.

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The permanent secretary also praised the Director-General and Chief Executive of NITT, Bayero Salih Farah, describing him as “extremely respectful, committed, diligent, dedicated, hardworking, honest, and a leader with a shepherd’s heart.”

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Adebiyi further announced automatic employment for the two overall best graduating students of the institute and offered them scholarships to pursue degree programmes.

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He appealed to members of the National Assembly to emulate the scholarship initiative of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, saying such interventions would empower young Nigerians and help tackle crime and insecurity.

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In his welcome address, Farah said the maiden convocation marked the culmination of the institute’s expansion into National Board for Technical Education-accredited programmes in 2021.

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He said the expansion had enabled NITT to offer National Innovation Diploma, National Skills Qualification, National Diploma and Higher National Diploma programmes.

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Farah said the institute remained committed to professionalising Nigeria’s transport and logistics industry through education, professional training, research, consultancy and technical innovation.

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“Our programmes combine theory with practical application and expose students to current industry developments,” he said.

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He added that the institute would continue to review and update its curriculum in line with emerging industry requirements.

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Farah expressed appreciation to Abbas for sponsoring more than 200 students under his scholarship programme and urged the graduands to become good ambassadors of the institution.

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Represented by the Director, National Water Resources Institute, Abduljalal Danbaba, Abbas congratulated the graduands, particularly beneficiaries of his scholarship scheme, and urged them to deploy their knowledge and skills productively.

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The ceremony featured the presentation of prizes to academically outstanding students, while more than 200 graduands received certificates and diplomas in various transport and logistics-related programmes.

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Graduands of the National Vocational Certificate programme also received starter kits alongside their certificates to enable them to put their training into practice.

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The ceremony was attended by the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, represented by Abbas Ahmed Fatika; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Ahmadu Bello University, Bello Sabo, who represented the Vice-Chancellor; and the Director, Transport Planning and Coordination, Jane Ojinta, among other dignitaries.

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