FG TO LINK RAILWAY LINE FROM ABUJA-ZARIA NEXT YR, OFFERS AUTOMATIC APPOINTMENT, SCHOLARSHIP NITT, GRADUANDS
By Moh Bello Habib, Zaria
The Federal Government has offered automatic employment ang scholarship for Bsc in any establishment or organisation of Federal ministry of Transportation and University in the Country respectively.
The permanent Secretary and over seeier of Federal Ministry of Transportation, ransportation, Engr. Olufunsho Olusesan Adebiyi, has announced plans for the construction of a rail line linking Abuja with Zaria, Kano and other Northern parts of the of the country.
He stated this at the maiden convocation ceremony of the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology while declaring the open the maiden joint convocation of the Institute held on Thursday.
Engineer. Adebiyi disclosed that he was a product of NITT, noting that the training he received at the Institute in 1995, alongside other professional programmes he undertook, contributed significantly to his career development and current status.
The Permanent Secretary commended NITT for its sustained contribution to the development of skilled manpower for Nigeria’s transport sector through professional training, capacity building and research.
He also lauded the Director General/Chief Executive of NITT, Dr. Bayero Salih Farah, for what he described as visionary leadership, describing him as “extremely respectful, committed, diligent, dedicated, hardworking, honest, and a leader with a shepherd’s heart.”
He charged the graduands to take responsibility for their future and take advantage of the opportunities emerging from the Federal Government’s massive investment in transport infrastructure.
He disclosed that rail services would soon connect Abuja with Kaduna, Zaria, Kano, Daura and Katsina, creating new employment opportunities for skilled Nigerians.
“By January next year, you can join a train from Abuja to Kaduna, Zaria, Kano, Daura, and to Katsina,” he said, urging the graduands to position themselves to take advantage of the opportunities the expanding rail network would create." He said
Demonstrating his commitment to academic excellence and youth empowerment, the Permanent Secretary offered automatic employment to the two overall best graduating students and announced scholarships for them to pursue degree programmes.
He also appealed to members of the National Assembly to emulate the scholarship initiative of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, as a means of empowering Nigerian youths and helping to address crime and insecurity.
In his welcome address, the Director General/Chief Executive, NITT, Dr. Bayero Salih Farah, expressed appreciation to the Permanent Secretary, the Emir of Zazzau, Mal Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, and other distinguished guests for honouring the Institute’s invitation.
Dr. Farah specially thanked the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, for sponsoring more than 200 students through his scholarship programme.
The Director General explained that the maiden convocation was the culmination of NITT’s expansion into National Board for Technical Education (NBTE)-accredited programmes in 2021, leading to the award of National Innovation Diploma (NID), National Skills Qualification (NSQ), National Diploma (ND), and Higher National Diploma (HND).
He reiterated the Institute’s commitment to professionalising Nigeria’s transport and logistics industry, noting that NITT contributes to the nation’s transport and logistics development through education, professional training, research, consultancy and technical innovation.
“Our programmes combine theory with practical application and expose students to current industry developments,” Dr. Farah said, adding that the Institute would continue to review and update its curriculum in line with emerging industry needs." Said the DG
He therefore congratulated the graduands and warned them to be good ambassadors of the Institute.
Speaking through the Director,
