The free train service being provided by the Osun State Government during festive periods may have presented another opportunity for residents of the State as a school in Okini via Osogbo took the advantage for its pupils’ excursion.
Most of the pupils who confessed to have either seen or boarded train for the first time lauded the State Government for the initiative which they said would have memorable impact in them.
They urged the other schools, be it public or private to take maximum advantage of the initiative for purpose of educating their pupils.
Addressing journalists at the Osogbo terminus, a beneficiary, Pastor David Oyedele, said he deliberately came to embark on the trip as part of efforts to expose the pupils of his school to rail transportation.
Oyedele who was guiding his school pupils numbering 30 on excursion, said he deemed it fit to travel with the free train service provided by the State Government, having identified and seen the great advantages therein.
According to him, the free train service being sponsored by the State Government, particularly during festive periods, had opened windows of opportunity for those who can take it for personal and collective benefits.
“For instance, many believe that the initiative is restricted to convey people and luggage alone. But I want to tell them that this initiative goes beyond that, as it remains the surest way to encourage academic excursion.
“I decided to come this morning with my pupils in order to take them on excursion through this transportation means with the hope to broaden their knowledge and expose them to rail transportation rudimentary.
“As you can see, some of the pupils are seeing the train for the first time while some haven’t travelled with it before. Meanwhile, this will provide them the opportunity of not only seeing it but traveling with it.
“We have taught them the theoretical aspect and with this, they must have experienced the practical aspect by traveling with it.
“I must commend the State Government for providing us this opportunity because if not, we might not be able to actualise this in view of what may cost each of the pupils to do so.
“I am appealing to the people, particularly those resident in Osun, to take the advantage of the initiative for academic excursions since it costs them nothing,” he added.
Also, Master Olaniyi Joshua applauded the State government for the provision of the free train service.
Joshua, a student who was on excursion, said, “I am happy today because I have the privilege to see the train, board it and travel in it.”
Another passenger, Mr. Akinwale Oluwagbemiga, praised the initiative and described it as unprecedented.
Over 600 passengers who had come home to celebrate Eid-el-fitr with their loved ones on Sunday joined train for a return journey to their various destinations which include, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos States.
