The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, on Friday, hinted that the Federal Government was targeting forty percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from the transportation sector.
Shettima who gave the hint while receiving the second batch of Nigeria railway engineering graduates trained in China under the Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company CCECC’s social responsibility programme, explained that the target was designed to fully utilize the country’s population of over 200 million.
He pointed out that this plan by the government was responsible for the ongoing railway sector reformation programme of the present administration.
The construction company, had earlier dispatched first set of railway engineering graduates who are already working at various sections and offices of railway engineering company and the Nigerian railway cooperation (NRC).
Shettima, who was represented at the occasion by Honourable Ibrahim Hassan Hadeija, noted that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu was targeting the transportation initiative, where the country’s highest GDP would come from the transportation sector and the railway, with the capacity to move and utilize the country’s population strength for economic growth.
Earlier in his speech, the Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali, assured government commitment to collaborate with Chinese Civil Engineering Construction Company in appreciation to its efforts in working with the present administration.
Senator Alkali, said that the company’s efforts and the programme execution, was inline with the Federal government Renewed Hope Agenda targeted at bringing democratic dividends to Nigerians through several collaborative efforts of multinational companies in Nigeria.
Also speaking, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, who was represented by Senator Amos Yohana, congratulated the returning graduates, stressing that it was time for the trained engineers to contribute meaningfully to the economy of the nation.
“It is important to acknowledge that it has helped in training over one hundred and ninety of our young citizens. We celebrate them with the companies corporate social responsibility.
“We thank them for lighting the candle, not only for these children, but to show the corporate world of the need for such,” he said.
The managing Director of CCECC, Michael Yigao, stated that since 2018, the company had collaborated with the Federal Government of Nigeria and Chang’an University to select and sponsor young Nigerians for further education in China.
He said that the students sponsored by the CCECC underwent a one year language study in China before officially enrolling in their 4-year undergraduate program in Chang’an University, saying, Known as “1+4 program”, this initiate has benefited 40 students who have already returned to Nigeria after graduation last year, and the remaining 72 students have also successfully completed their academic journey in China this year.
“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 hail 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.”
Mustapha, who majored in road and railway transportation, noted that throughout the study in China, that the university provided him with a comprehensive curriculum, laying a solid foundation of knowledge and practical skills for future careers.