In his continuous efforts aimed at making campus life very easy for students, President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, distributed some Compressed Natural Gas,CNG busses to students in the nation’s tertiary institutions.
The busses, numbering six and for each of the geopolitical zones, were particularly aimed to promote a more efficient and affordable transportation system for students.
They were distributed through the office of the Senior Special Adviser on Students’ Engagement, Comrade Sunday Asefon, yesterday, in Abuja.
The president’s action came following his removal of fuel subsidy in the country.
The busses were received variously by the zonal coordinators of the National Association of Nigerian Students,NANS.
The President of NANS, Comrade Lucky Emonefe presented the vehicles’ keys to the respective zonal coordinators.
Comrade Asefon, speaking at the brief event,explained that the initiative was part of a broader promise made by President Tinubu to support students in Nigeria, especially following the fuel subsidy removal and attendant high cost of transportation.
Asefon emphasised that while this gesture is significant, it is just the beginning, assuring Nigerian students that the current administration would continue to accord welfare of students high priority.
He said in the past, some students had to hire buses at exorbitant costs, sometimes up to 200,000 to attend programmes and conferences as well as movement within the campuses.
According to him, with the new buses, students will only pay a token fee, making it much more affordable.
He said,”The buses are not just for transport they also provide students with the confidence that they are using vehicles dedicated to their needs.”
Speaking further, Comrade Asefon informed that the maintenance of the buses will be closely monitored for efficient use.
He said schools will also take responsibility for maintaining buses stationed at their campuses, ensuring the longevity of this initiative.
On his part, NANS President, Comrade Lucky Emonefe, expressed his gratitude to President Tinubu for this unprecedented move, stating that it would significantly ease the cost of transportation for Nigerian students.
He stated that the initiative is the first of its kind in NANS’s history, with over 20 buses being distributed to various zones.
He emphasised that this achievement was made possible through constructive dialogue and leadership, without the need for protests.
“It is going to be very useful to Nigeria students, it will ease the cost of transportation in their campuses.
“So, we are happy and I want to thank the President for this gesture, and this is the first time it has ever happened in the history of NANS, since NANS has been founded, ” he said.
