The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), yesterday, took a decisive step to deepen railway technology capacity in Nigeria with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (Mou) on technology transfer and training with five tertiary institutions.
The five tertiary institutions are Yaba College of Technology, Kwara State Polytechnic, the Federal Polytechnic (Offa, Kwara), Kaduna State Polytechnic and Trinity University (Lagos).
Speaking after the signing of the MoU, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa, said the MoU was geared towards railway technology skill acquisition, skill dissemination and skill utilisation.
According to the NRC MD, the MoU “we signed today is to create a partnership, transfer technology and take advantage on both ends.
“It is also geared towards developing an enduring legacy that will transcend this generation in skill acquisition, skill dissemination and skill utilisation.
“On the other end for our staff, it will stop this era of promotion stagnation, like staff progression. This opportunity will give some of our workers a chance to go and get a diploma and move beyond level six.”
On whether this MoU would stop foreign training, the NRC MD stated that: “No, it may not. It depends on the type of training.
“There is a saying that states: if knowledge is in China, go and look for it. If knowledge is in Abu Dhabi, go for it. If knowledge is in Chicago, go for it. So, knowledge should not be about boundaries.”
Also speaking on the MoU, the Rector, Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Dr Kadir Oluwatoyin, described the MoU signing as a bold and commendable commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration.
