The beneficiaries of the Easter free train ride provided by the Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola have commended the kind gesture and called for sustenance of the scheme.
They said the continued provision of free train services during festivities have gone a long way in creating a sense of belonging for citizens and helping them to feel direct impact of democratic dividends.
The Governor has been providing free train services for citizens living outside the State every festive period since assumption of office.
The travellers also applauded the security measures put in place by the government to ensure safety for all, describing the trip from Lagos as government’s unwavering commitment to security of lives and property.
Some of the beneficiaries of the scheme after their arrival at railway terminus, Osogbo, expressed delight at the smooth and hitch-free journey.
One of them, Mrs. Sobande Mercy, who joined the train from Abeokuta, Ogun State, said the government’s gesture had saved her from avoidable stress she would have experienced taking commercial bus.
She added: “This is my first trip on a train , I can tell you that I really enjoyed my trip. How I wish I had similar opportunity to be travelling like this at all the times.
“I can only appreciate the Osun government for this laudable initiative, which has given us sense of belonging as citizens and as residents because this gesture alone has saved us from so many things.”
Also, Mr. Muyiwa Akanni and Mrs. Ronke Oyelowo, appreciated the good gesture and showered blessings on the government for responding to the citizens’ needs, particularly for meeting them at the point of their needs.
Oyelowo said: “I am very happy to have benefitted from this free train service. This is the third time I have benefitted from it. I thank our government for sustaining it. It is a testimony to the fact that they mean well for us.
“I am happy that my state is doing this every festive period, and I pray that God will continue to be with our Governor and his government as he continues to paddle the canoe of this State.”
The Commissioner for Commerce, Industry, Cooperatives and Empowerment, Dr. Bode Olaonipekun, said the government was resolute to continue to do the needful to support the citizens’ needs.
He said; ”the scheme is a product of continuity has come to stay with thousands benefitting from the scheme since its inception.”
Dr Olaonipekun said; “The government has done it again as part of its commitment to make life easy for its people. This government has been doing excellently in taking the welfare and well-being of the citizens as a priority.
“We consider it a necessity to always support our people living outside the State who want to celebrate with their families and loved ones during festive seasons.
“As we have been doing in the past, we carried them from Lagos this morning and here they arrived safely. I thank God and I thank Mr. Governor for his focus and vision to ensure that no citizen suffers.
“My advice for those that have benefitted from this scheme is to continue to support the government in its efforts to turn the State around. I equally want to advise those that came with train today to continue to adhere strictly to the Coronavirus safety protocols, particularly if they want to return with it on Monday,” he added.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
