China-trained Nigerian railway engineers return home

As part of their corporate social responsibility, CCECC has sponsored Nigerian graduates to study Railway Engineering and other transportation-related fields.

According to a statement released on Saturday, Olujimi Oyetomi, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Transport Ministry, Senator Said Alkali, the Minister of Transportation, stressed the government’s dedication to promoting indigenous involvement in the railway sector.

He underscored the importance of the National Local Content Policy for Railway, introduced in 2018.

This, according to the Minister, is borne out of the realisation of the enormous roles played by the rail transport subsector in the country, which further made the government introduce the “Advocacy for Enhanced Local Content in Nigeria’s Infrastructure Development based on Nigerian – Chinese Bi-lateral Agreements” and thereafter, directed the Federal Ministry of Transportation to look at various steps to ensure effective implementation of the policy.

He noted that the event marked a success of the Ministry’s initiatives.

“The outcome of today’s occasion depicts one of the success stories of the Ministry of Transportation’s initiative, as CCECC has accepted to train Nigerians in China as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility,” the statement read in part.

Alkali expressed optimism about the graduates’ contributions to the government’s ongoing efforts to modernize the railway sector. He mentioned the 25-year Railway Modernization Plan and the Ministry’s support for the policy through on-the-job training programs.

He further explained that the Ministry of Transportation supports the policy by engaging them as engineers and technicians through “On the job training programmes.”

Representing the Vice President, Ibrahim Hadeja, commended the graduates for their good behaviour and thanked CCECC for their role in developing Nigeria’s infrastructure and manpower. “This initiative is in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he remarked, underscoring the importance of enhancing local content in Nigeria’s infrastructure development.

The Senate President, represented by Amos Yuhana said, “As a catalyst of change and transformation and a champion of progress, it is my distinct honour to welcome these extraordinary Nigerian graduates, who have returned to help us build the walls of our country.

“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.”

Weng Yingqi, Minister Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, praised the graduates for returning to Nigeria to serve their country, highlighting their potential to inspire younger generations. He encouraged them to utilize their acquired knowledge and skills to become the driving force behind Nigeria’s rapid development, urging them to be the backbone that propels the country towards greatness.

CCECC Chairman, Jason Zhang, expressed his company’s ongoing commitment to fostering cooperation between Nigeria and China. “This event is a further testament to greater cooperation between Nigeria and China, and we remain committed to deepening mutual understanding and bilateral relations,” he said.

The ceremony concluded with the graduates signing employment contracts with CCECC, symbolizing their commitment to contribute to the growth and development of Nigeria’s railway industry.