NRC graduates 86 From Railway Technical Institute, promises greater opportunities for graduands
No fewer than 86 trainees who had completed their technical and vocational training under the NRC/NDE collaborative skills acquisition programme on Tuesday graduated from the Nigerian Railway Technical Institute, Ebute-Metta, Lagos.
Describing the event as another demonstration of Corporation’s institutional commitment to youth empowerment, workforce development and nation-building, the NRC’s Managing Director assured the graduands of employment, because according to him, they have been grounded in intensive hands-on experience needed to thrive in today’s competitive labour market.
He said the institute, established in 1924 occupies a strategic place in the history of technical manpower development in Nigeria, adding that for over a century, the institution has remained a centre for the training of artisans, technicians and skilled personnel in railway operations, mechanical systems and allied technical disciplines.
“Today, we proudly celebrate 86 graduands who have successfully undergone rigorous training in disciplines such as; electrical installations and maintenance, electronics engineering, welding and fabrication, refrigeration and air-conditioning and automobile mechanic. Other disciplines are carpentry and joinery, computer engineering and ICT, fashion design and tailoring, painting and decoration, as well as printing technology,’ Dr Opeifa said.
He said the management is committed to repositioning the institute into a modern, efficient, and commercially viable rail institution capable of driving national economic integration, industrial growth and logistics efficiency.
“We are engaging relevant regulatory authorities and stakeholders towards repositioning the institute through curriculum enhancement, infrastructure upgrade, faculty development and strategic partnership with relevant local and international institutions.
“Efforts are ongoing to modernize our training offerings to align with contemporary global realities in railway technology, energy transition and transport innovation, including exposure to locomotive modernisation initiatives and emerging alternative energy systems,” he said.
He therefore urged the graduands to be worthy examples of the Railway Technical Institute and the Nigerian Railway Corporation by upholding excellence, professionalism, innovation and integrity in all their future endeavours.
The Senior Special Assistant to Mr President on Technical, Vocational, and Entrepreneurship Education, Dr Abiola Arogundade, congratulated the NRC, for repositioning the institute.
Arogundade who was represented by the Head of Strategy, Dr Abiola Isikalu, said the vocational and technical education are the avenues through which the youths can be engaged in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Naural Gas and Electric Vehicles (Pi-CNG and EV) Barrister Ismaeel Ahmed, congratulated the Nigerian Railway Corporation and the Railway Technical Institute (RTI), on the graduation of the 2024 and 2025 sets of Graduands.
He said Pi-CNG-EV would continue to partner with the NRC in its efforts to promote sustainbale energy solutions which requires a highly skilled technical workforce capable of maintaining and operating modern infrastructure.
“Our two organisations have partnered and will continue to partner to actualize our shared goals, especially in the area of natural gas adoption to reduce the cost of fuel and foster cleaner air,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor Trinity University, Yaba, Lagos, Professor Clement Olusegun Kolawole, said the university is proud to associate with the Nigerian Railway Corporation and Railway Technical Institute (RTI) in development of manpower training and logistics development.
Earlier, the Principal, Railway Technical Institute, Mr. Kelechi Raphael Nosike, described the event as an epoch in the life of the institution who have successfully completed their three year craft training in various trades.
He said the training received by the Graduands aligns with the renewed hope agenda of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu which aim to train youth through programmes like TVET and other similar skill acquisition programmes.
He thanked the NRC Management for its immense commitment to renovate and upgrade the school to higher institution of learning.
The highpoint was the presentation of certificate of excellence to the two outstanding graduands Master Fadayomi Olamide Andrew, the best graduating student of the Class of 2024 and Master Taiwo Ayomide, the best graduating student of Class of 2025.
