The delivery of 17 locomotive driven containers to the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) facilitated by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration will considerably reverse the trend of food inflation in the country because of its potential to reduce the cost of movement of food items from producers to consumers across the country.
The Democratic Front in a statement signed by its Chairman Mallam Danjuma Muhammad and Secretary, Chief Wale Adedayo observed that the delivery of the containers was not only another huge response to ease food scarcity but also targeted to boost freight operations of the NRC.
The group noted that the provision of the containers that will traverse Lagos to Kano is also in conformity with the President’s campaign manifesto.
The group noted: “We applaud President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the impressive show of efforts in fulfilling his promise by stamping his authority on the development of critical infrastructures that will urgently ease pressures on economy and the people of the country.
Listing some of the many advantages, the TDF said that the recent delivery of 17 locomotive wagons from Kano is a confirmation of a successful launch of freight operations by rail and it confirms the dogged mindset and determination of the President to make the Nigerian economy globally attractive and competitive.
It also said that the provision of these items has the potential and capacity to generate a modern and efficient railway system which will contribute meaningfully to the concerted drive towards the realization of $1trn economy as being envisaged.
“We are convinced that the movement of cargos and other heavy-duty equipment across the country by rail will reduce auto crashes and also ease the current pressure on the roads. The menace of haulage lorries will reduce, thereby making the roads safer and more durable, the group insisted.
The statement continued: “Indeed, we confidently envisage that the cargo haulage system will also considerably reverse the trend of food inflation in the country because of the potential of a cheaper movement of food items from the agricultural belt of the North to the South and vice versa.
TDF then posited that the investment in railway services is just one of the efforts by the Tinubu administration to boost the economy since assuming office.
TDF acknowledges that this significant development in the railway transportation sector is just one out of a plethora of achievements by the Tinubu administration since the commencement of its economic reforms.
But the group regreted the actions of “unpatriotic opposition working in cahoot with a group of misled alarmists within the country who rather relish in advancing their selfish political interests by inciting Nigerians against the very hard working administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the detriment of our collective national patrimony.
“TDF believes that nothing insults the sensibility of Nigerians, more than a political party that inherited a promising and developing economy from the military in May 1999, but squandered the wealth and potentials of the nation within a period of 16 years, leaving the nation in penury and indebtedness. Only for the party to pretend and project itself as the messiah of the people.
“If the PDP had judiciously invested the billions of dollars made from crude oil in 16 years, to develop a modern, national railway transportation system, rehabilitate the state owned refineries for private sector management, construct additional power generation sources like the recently commissioned 800 MW Zungeru Power Station, and mechanize the processes and production of agricultural outputs, the impact of fuel subsidy removal would not have been this harsh on Nigerians.
“The railway transportation sector is currently receiving priority attention from the President, and we expect that the giant strides in the development of railways in Nigeria will continue,”it said.
Student Loan: Group commends Tinubu initiative, says it will foster new generation of skilled Nigerians
The Tinubu Stakeholders Forum (TSF) has said that the newly launched Student Loan Scheme will contribute in no small measure to national development by building a generation of well-educated citizens with high level manpower training
The scheme, the TSF said, in a statement signed by its chairman, Ahmad Sajoh and Secretary Afolabi Josiah, will enable individuals to be self-reliant, attain their maximum educational ambition, and be useful members of the society.
“This scheme is bound to ensure that financial constraints do not deny indigent students of quality education while knowledge acquired will be useful to the country.
The group futher said: “This initiative, overseen by the Nigeria Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), marks a significant milestone in our nation’s educational history, with 103,000 successful applications out of 164,000 registered between May 25 and July 17, 2024.
“For us, the scheme underscores President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to education as a powerful tool to combat poverty and insecurity in Nigeria.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian government has, historically, catered to students through bursaries and scholarships. While those methods have been beneficial, the current initiative promises a more structured and expansive approach, ensuring that financial constraints do not hinder any Nigerian from accessing quality education.
“Comparatively, the student loan systems in the UK and USA have long supported students in achieving their educational goals, leading to well-established and effective frameworks. So, the implementation of a similar programme in Nigeria signals a commitment to adopting best practices that have proven successful globally.
“This program is designed to not only support current students but to be a sustainable model that will serve future generations.
“President Tinubu’s initiative ensures that tuition fees are paid directly to institutions, while students receive stipends for their upkeep, thus covering all critical aspects of their educational pursuit. This initiative is poised to create a lasting impact on the educational landscape of Nigeria, fostering a generation of well-educated and skilled individuals equipped to contribute significantly to national development.”
The group also urged beneficiaries to ensure they honour their commitment in order to ensure that the programme is sustained.
“As we celebrate this landmark achievement, we urge the beneficiaries to approach this opportunity with utmost seriousness and integrity. The successful implementation and sustainability of this program rest on the responsible utilization and timely repayment of these loans.
“By honouring their commitments, beneficiaries will not only secure their own futures but also pave the way for countless other students to benefit from this scheme in the years to come.
“We at the TSF believe that this programme will be entrenched and will grow to support many generations of Nigerian students. We commend President Tinubu for his visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to making education accessible to all,” added.
