December 23, 2017

Scores of Osun indigenes, resident in Lagos and its environs, on Saturday, enjoyed free train ride to Osogbo to celebrate Christmas, courtesy of Gov. Rauf Aregbesola.

At the Iddo Railway Terminus, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that all the train couches were filled to capacity.

Some of the passengers, who spoke with NAN, lauded Aregbesola for providing the gesture at a time the nation was witnessing acute petrol scarcity.

The free train ride was organised by Aregbesola administration in collaboration with the management of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC).

The arrangement is to convey Osun indigenes in Lagos to Osogbo and other towns along the rail line during festive periods.

NAN also reports that Aregbesola began the gesture since the inception of his administration seven years ago.

The passengers said that it was an opportunity for them to travel at this period when petrol scarcity was biting hard.

Mr Sanmi Babalola, a civil servant, lauded the gesture, saying that it would afford him the opportunity to travel home for Christmas.

Babalola said that the current fuel scarcity had discouraged many people from travelling, as transport fare had increased astronomically.

Also, Mrs Yemisi Aduloju, a trader, thanked the governor for the free ride provided for the people of the state and other Nigerians.

Aduloju added that the service would relieve the hardship, which passengers would face while travelling to visit their families for the yuletide.

She said she was discouraged on getting to the motor park on Friday only to know that transport fare had skyrocketed beyond what she could afford.

Mr Jerry Oche, the Lagos District Manager, NRC, lauded the free train ride provided by Osun Government, saying that the train left Iddo by 10:50 a.m.

He said that there was a little delay to ensure that no passenger was left behind in Lagos.

NAN also reports that the official fare by train to Osogbo from Lagos is N1, 500 per passenger.