FG Receives 72 Nigerian Railway Engineers Trained in China

A group of 72 Nigerian railway engineers have successfully completed their training program in China and have returned to Nigeria.

The Federal Government received the 72 Nigerian graduates who underwent training in China under the auspices of the China Civil Engineering Construction Company.

As part of their corporate social responsibility, CCECC sponsored the graduates to pursue studies in Railway Engineering and other transportation-related disciplines.

On Saturday, the Director of Press and Public Relations for the Transport Ministry, Olujimi Oyetomi, made a statement regarding this matter.

During the reception, the esteemed Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali, underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to fostering Indigenous participation within the railway sector. He emphasized the pivotal role of the National Local Content Policy for Railway, meticulously crafted in 2018, in achieving this objective.

The Minister’s statement underscores the critical role of the rail transport sector in the nation’s infrastructure development. In response, the government has implemented the "Advocacy for Enhanced Local Content in Nigeria’s Infrastructure Development based on Nigerian-Chinese Bilateral Agreements.” Consequently, the Federal Ministry of Transportation has been tasked with developing and executing strategies to ensure the effective implementation of this policy.

It is worth noting that this event signifies the fruitful outcomes of the Ministry’s endeavors.

“The results of today’s event exemplify one of the Ministry of Transportation’s successful initiatives. As part of its corporate social responsibility, CCECC has graciously agreed to provide training opportunities in China for Nigerian citizens.

Alkali expressed confidence in the graduates’ contributions to the government’s ongoing railway modernization efforts. He highlighted the 25-year Railway Modernization Plan and the Ministry’s support for the policy through on-the-job training programs.

He further elaborated that the Ministry of Transportation endorses the policy by involving them as engineers and technicians through an “On-the-job training program.”

On behalf of the Vice President, Ibrahim Hadeja commended the graduates for their exemplary conduct and expressed gratitude to CCECC for their contributions to Nigeria’s infrastructural development and human capital enhancement. He emphasized the alignment of this initiative with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, underscoring the significance of fostering local content in Nigeria’s infrastructural development endeavors.

The Senate President, represented by Amos Yuhana, stated, "Being a driving force for change and transformation, and a supporter of advancement, it is a privilege to greet these remarkable Nigerian graduates, who have returned to contribute to the growth of our nation."

“We have come to unveil the hidden treasures of these remarkable individuals who have traversed and chatted territories of learning in China and pushed the boundaries of human potential. They have returned to us now, not as mere travellers, but as professionals and with knowledge, skills, and burning desires to shape the destiny of our great nation.”

Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of China in Nigeria, Weng Yingqi, praised the graduates for returning to serve their country, highlighting their importance as role models for younger Nigerians. He advised them to use their acquired knowledge and skills to form the foundation for accelerating the development of a great Nigeria.

Esteemed Chairman of CCECC, Mr. Jason Zhang, reaffirmed the organization’s unwavering commitment to nurturing and strengthening the cooperative ties between Nigeria and China. He emphasized that this event serves as a resounding affirmation of the deepening collaboration between the two nations, and CCECC remains steadfast in its dedication to fostering mutual comprehension and bolstering bilateral relations.

The event concluded with the signing of employment contracts between the graduates and CCECC, marking a significant milestone in their journey to contribute to the advancement of Nigeria’s railway sector.