By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the naming of several train stations after many “prominent Nigerians”, according to a statement released by the Ministry of Transportation on Monday.
According to the statement, the “deserving citizens have contributed to the progress and development of their respective communities and the nation at large.”
According to the statement @NigeriaGov, the confirmed Twitter handle of the Government of Nigeria, which was signed by Eric Ojiekwe Director, Press and Public Relations Federal Ministry of Transportation, the Apapa station was named after Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while the Agege station was named after the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola.
The Kajola station was named after Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, while Abeokuta station was named after Prof. Wole Soyinka.
I will be recalled that President Buhari had penultimate Saturday named the railway complex in Agbor after former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who made the announcement on behalf of Buhari on July 18, said the ministry had begun to test-run coaches purchased to ply Itakpe – Warri rail line that had just been completed.
Making the disclosure then, Special Assistant to the President on New Media, Tolu Ogunlesi, on his Twitter handle, @toluogunlesi, quoted Amaechi as announcing the president’s decision.
“President @MBuhari has approved the naming of the Railway complex in Agbor – the operational hub of #ItakpeWarriRail Line – after former President @GEJonathan. It will be known as Goodluck Jonathan Railway Station & Complex,” Ogunlesi tweeted.
Jonathan later thanked Buhari for the honour.
Below is a full list of Nigerians in whose names train stations were named, some posthumously:
According to the statement, for the Lagos-Ibadan with extension to the Lagos Port Complex at Apapa railway station, the beneficiaries are:
Bola Ahmed Tinubu (Apapa station)
Mobolaji Johnson (Ebute Metta Station)
Babatunde Raji Fashola (Agege station)
Lateef Jakande (Agbado station)
Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (Kajola station)
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (Papalanto station)
Prof. Wole Soyinka (Abeokuta station)
Aremo Segun Osoba(Olodo station)
Chief Ladoka Akintola (Omio-Adio station)
Chief Obafemi Awolowo (Ibadan station)
Chief Alex Ekwueme (Operation Control Centre)
For the Itakpe-Ajaokuta/Aladja-Warri Railway, the names are:
Alhaji Adamu Attah (Itakpe station)
Dr. Olushola Saraki (Ajaokuta station)
Admiral Augustus Aikhomu (Itogbo station)
Brigadier General George Innih (Agenebode station)
Anthony Eromosele Enahoro (Uromi station)
Chief Tom Ikimi (Ekehen station)
Brig. Gen. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia (rtd) (Igbanke station)
Others according to the statement include:
Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (Agbor Station Complex)
Brigadier General David Ejoor (Abraka station)
Micheal Ibru (Opara station)
Alfred Rewane (Ujevwu station)
Vice Admiral Mike Akhigbe (Railway Village, Agbor)
