Again, Osun’s Free Train Brings Thousands Home

The Osun State Government had again announced an easy movement of people for the Christmas period with the 2013 Christmas/New Year free train ride.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Commerce Industry Cooperatives and Empowerment, Ismail Jayeoba-Alagbada, the free train ride commenced Tuesday.
According to the statement, the Omoluabi train would convey people from Lagos to Osogbo on December 24 and 28 from Osogbo back to Lagos at 10a.m. On the eve of the New Year, December 31 at 10a.m., the train would move people from Lagos to Osogbo and similarly from Osogbo to Lagos on January 5, 2014, by 10a.m.
Alagbada said the gesture by the state government would facilitate smooth and hitch-free transportation for people coming to the state during the yuletide. ‘The gesture by the Rauf Aregbesola-led government to people willing to come home during Christmas and New Year, is aimed at easing their travelling during the hectic period.
‘The free train ride which started in 2011, has become a regular gesture to both Christians and Muslims during festival periods. “With this arrangement, the state government has since put an end to problems normally encountered by commuters during these periods.
“Government therefore enjoins people from Lagos, Ogun and Oyo States to seize the free train opportunity offered by the Aregbesola administration to come and celebrate Christmas and New Year in Osun State with their relatives,” the commissioner said
The government’s gesture had been acknowledged as part of the factors that have restored Nigerians’ hope in the viability of the train as a more economically better option for Nigerians.
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