President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the naming of railway stations along the Lagos – Ibadan corridor and others on the Itakpe /Ajaokuta /Aladja-Warri after some prominent citizens.
In a statement by the Ministry of Transport’s Director of Press and Public Relations (DPPR), Mr. Eric Ojiekwe, said the deserving citizens have contributed to the progress and development of their respective communities and the nation.
The stations and those are named after along the Itakpe-Ajaokuta/Aladja-Warri railway line are: Alhaji Adamu Attah (Itakpe station), Dr Olusola Saraki (Ajaokuta station), Admiral Augustus Aikhomu (Itogbo station), Brig. General George Innih (Agenebode station), Anthony Eromosele Enahoro (Uromi station), Chief Tom Ikimi (Ekehen station) and Brig. Gen Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia (rtd) (Igbanke station).
Others according to the statement include Dr.Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (Agbor station complex), Brig. General David Ejoor (Abraka station), Micheal Ibru (Opara station), Alfred Rewane (Ujevwu station) and Chief Mike Akhigbe (Railway village, Agbor).
On the Lagos/Ibadan line are: Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Apapa station), Mobolaji Johnson (Ebute Metta Station), Babatunde Raji Fashola (Agege station), Lateef Jakande (Agbado station) and Prof.Yemi Osinbajo (Kajola station).
Others are Funmilayo Ransom Kuti (Papalanto station), Prof. Wole Soyinka (Abeokuta station), Segun Osoba (Olodo station), Ladoka Akintola (Omio-Adio station) Chief Obafemi Awolowo (Ibadan station); and Chief Alex Ekwueme (Operation Control Centre).
A representative of the family of late Dr. Abubakar Olusola Saraki has thanked the President for naming the Ajaokuta Train Station after the Second Republic Senate Leader.
In a statement, the Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, said: “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 welcomed initiative.
“We have no doubt that the construction of the Ajaokuta Train Station by the 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 in the development of Nigeria and one Kwara as a whole.
“We commend the President’s leadership and commitment to resuscitating the rail transportation in the country and we plegde the support of the family in the realisation of these laudable efforts”, the statement noted.