NRC HOLDS MAIDEN RAILWAY FUSION 2025 SHOW

.....We are determined to reposition the Nigerian Railway Corporation to compete among the best in the world - Opeifa

.....NRC is the symbol of Nigeria's unity - Opeifa

...... Lagos Mainland local government is witnessing transformational development because of the transformational leadership of NRC - Fmr Mainland LG Chair Hon. Essien

Tuesday 30th December 2025 would go down in history as a day the management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) added a new dimension to it's public engagement with the Nigerian people with it's maiden Railway Fusion 2025 show of fun, music, train ride, historical and trade exhibition, as well as it's account of stewardship under the Dr Kayode Opeifa led management team.

The event which took place at the iconic Mobolaji Johnson train station in Alagomeji Ebute Metta, Lagos drew a large audience from both government and the private sector, political leaders, civil society organizations, security agencies operatives, residents of Lagos, the media, among several others

In attendance at the occasion were the representative of the honourable minister of transportation Mr Tayo Kayode, NRC team led by it's MD/CEO Dr Kayode Opeifa and his amiable wife Mrs Abiodun Opeifa, directors, workers including Nigeria Union of Railwaymen executive members, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Government on transportation hon. Sola Giwa, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Sanwo-Olu on transportation and logistics hon. Hassan and his counterpart on transportation education and innovation Oluwatobi Idowu, Prof Jeleel Ojuade Vice Chancellor Ojaja University, Honourable Omolola Essien former chairman Lagos Mainland local government council, retired railway workers under the aegis of legacy 1995, rotarian Tunde Thompson and his wife, Rotarian Fadaini, Mrs Oluwatosin Edun MD Fusion group, CCECC team led by Mr Gwan, Comrade Sulaimon Arigbabu and Nelson Ekujumi, security operatives, members of the press, to mention but a few.

The Railway Fusion 2025 event which was the first of it's kind by the NRC as part of its contribution to the Detty December socio cultural promotion of Nigeria, kicked off with a welcome address by the MD/CEO Dr Kayode Opeifa who thanked Nigerians for their support to the Nigerian Railway Corporation in it's journey of serving the Nigerian people and assured them of the irrevocable commitment to repositioning the corporation to compete with the best in the world.

According to Dr Opeifa, "The Nigerian Railway Corporation represents Nigeria unity because of it's presence in every state of the federation". He announced that the NRC has created a new department of culture and tourism to project the Nigerian Railway Corporation as our common heritage which was in existence even before Nigeria came into being.

Comrade Opeifa made it known to the audience that the gigantic Mobolaji Johnson train station edifice must be put to maximum use through the promotion of Nigeria's potentials in culture and tourism and that the NRC under his leadership is determined to tap into this great potentials in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Tinubu administration of Nigeria First.

He also spoke about his administration's intention to create an entertainment and tech hub within the edifice for the teeming Nigerian youths to explore their talents.

Dr Opeifa then announced that Nigeria's iconic dates such as the May 29, June 12, October 1st Independence day, Ramadan, Easter and other celebrations will be commemorated regularly by the corporation at the venue with programmes and shows to promote Nigeria's culture and history.

Comrade Opeifa also informed the audience and Nigerians that in the coming days, President Bola Tinubu himself is going to announce the revitalization of the standard gauge to connect the 36 states of the federation for the ease of movement of persons and goods for the economic prosperity of Nigerians.

Dr Opeifa stated that, "Mr President is going to announce very soon the connection of the 36 states of the federation by rail, that I can assure you all". He also spoke about plans to rehabilitate and upgrade the NRC museum because of it's historical significance and artifacts which include the train that the late Queen of England boarded when she visited Nigeria in the 60's, among several others. Comrade Opeifa said, "We are going to secure the museum and preserve our heritage for generations unborn".

In her goodwill message, the former chairman of Lagos Mainland local government council hon. Mrs. Omolola Essien, was full of praise for President Bola Tinubu for appointing a square peg, in a square hole and stated that the Lagos Mainland local government which houses the headquarters of the NRC is already benefitting from the transformational leadership of Dr Kayode Opeifa.

The representative of the Chinese Construction giant CCECC Mr. Gwan praised the new leadership of the NRC under Comrade Opeifa for repositioning the NRC even in the midst of challenges.

The representative of the Nigerian union of Railwaymen (NUR) also showered encomium on the management team of the NRC for being responsive to the workers interest and he urged them not to backtrack on it, just as he called for the acquisition of more locomotives and coaches in order to reposition the NRC as the leader in transportation and logistics in Nigeria.

The guests were then taken on a train ride by the MD/CEO and his team, where Dr. Opeifa once again appealed to some persons who have made it a vocation of demarketing Nigeria at the slightest opportunity that, "They should give us a break and watch how we are changing Nigeria for our collective good through what we are doing at the NRC". Guests present were also given the opportunity of voicing their views on the way forward for the NRC in it's enviable task of being the number one transportation and logistics company in Nigeria.

The train ride took the audience from the Mobolaji Johnson train station Ebute Metta to the Ikeja train station and back, and Dr Opeifa used the occasion to eulogize the synergy between the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government on the use of the same rail tracks for both NRC trains and coaches and the red line train of the Lagos State Government for the movement of persons and goods, wherein he called on other States Governments as well as the private sector to come on board as partners and investors in the railway transportation business.

Comrade Opeifa was equally full of praises for his management team and workers of NRC for their diligence and dedication to duty which he stated, has been a morale booster and made his job of managing the corporation, very smooth.

The Railway Fusion event was fun as guests were treated to good music and visits to the participating businesses showcasing their goods and services at the venue. The children were also not left behind in the programme, as there were different games and play things for their pleasure and enjoyment.