FGN receives second batch of Nigerians trained in China on Railway Engineering
… Sen. Alkali assures FG’s commitment to collaborate with CCECC
Oru Leonard
The Federal Government of Nigeria on Friday received additional 72 Nigerian railway engineering graduates trained in China under the Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), social responsibility programme and equiped to handle technical challenges that may come up in railway operations.
Speaking during his remark, Nigeria’s Vice President, Hashim Shettima, disclosed that the Federal Government of Nigeria, targets 40 percent of its GDP from the transportation sector to fully utilize the nation’s population, hence the ongoing railway sector reformation programme.
Hashim, who was represented during the occasion by Honourable Ibrahim Hassan Hadeija, noted that the renewed hope agenda, is targeting the In transportation initiative where the country’s highest GDP comes from the transportation sector and possibly the railway with the capacity to move and utilize the country’s population strength for economic growth.While congratulating the returning graduates, he stated that they are now good products to contribute immensely in revamping the sector.
Speaking earlier, The Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali, assured government commitment to collaborate with Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company CCECC, in an appreciation to its efforts working with the present administration.
Senator Alkali, said that the company’s efforts and the programme execution, is inline with the Federal government renewed hope agenda targeted at bringing democratic divided to Nigerians through several collaborative efforts of multinational companies in Nigeria.
The Senate President Sen. Godswill Akpabio, who was also represented during the occasion, by Senator Amos Yohana, congratulated the returning graduates indicating that it time for the trained engineers to co tribute meaningfully to the economy of the nation ” of great importance is that these graduates were products of Goodwill from CCECC. It is important to acknowledge that it has helped in training over one hundred and ninty of our young citizens. We celebrate them with the companies cooperate responsibilities. We thank them for lighting the candle, not only for these children, but to show the corporate world of the need for such”.
The managing Director MD of CCECC, Michael Yigao, stated that the company since 2018, has collaborated with the Federal Government of Nigeria and Chang’an University to select and sponsor young Nigerians for further education in China.
He said; ”Now I am delighted to see them sitting here with the joy of graduation on their faces and their hard-earned bachelor’s degrees in their hands. Congratulations to all of you!
“Dear guests, as a company committed to strong corporate social responsibility, CCECC has consistently upheld its pledge to “stride with Nigeria” by sponsoring capability building and transferring technical know-how to young people.
“Today, as we witness this joyous moment, we celebrate not only the achievements of these young students but also the spirit of international cooperation and collaboration between the government of Nigeria, CCECC and Chang’an University”.It is through the combined effort of these parties that lives of these young people have been transformed”.
Alhaji Mamman Mustapha, a graduand who hails from Maiduguri, Borno state
said that the year 2018, was an extremely fortunate year for all the students. ” it was a year that changed our lives. As students jointly trained by CCECC and Chang’an University, it is not only an honor for us personally, but also a great fortune for our families and our country. While CCECC helped us realize our dreams, they also nurtured group of talents who can contribute to the construction of our nation.
“Moreover, I want to take this opportunity to thank the Government for the opportunity.
“I have absorbed professional knowledge like a sponge. China has achieved remarkable accomplishments in railway transportation technology, and we hope to apply the knowledge gained in China to build a better transportation system in Nigeria, improving its efficiency and effectiveness.
As part of CCECC’s social responsibility to Nigeria, the education cooperation program between CCECC, the government of Nigeria, and the best engineering universities in China like Chang’an University was initiated in the year of 2018, when Rt Hon. Rotimi Amaechi was was the Nigerian Minister of Transportation and as for the moment, around 120 students have benefited from this program. Meanwhile, another 70 students have been sponsored by CCECC and graduated from Central China University till last year, totalling 190 students.
