The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has announced free train rides for Nigerians across the country from December 20 to January 5.
It also approved the renaming of the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University.
Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, made this disclosure at the end of the 14th Federal Executive Meeting (FEC) of this administration, presided over by President Bola Tinubu, during a press briefing with State House Correspondents yesterday.
This is not the first time the government will be offering free train ride, as it traditionally does so yearly. The Osun state government also offers its citizens free train rides between Lagos and the state, during the annual Eid El Kabir (Ileya Festival ).
Last year, the Niegrian Railway Corporation (NRC) stated that it conveyed no less than 63,000 passengers in just w days during the free ride declared by the federal government in December.
The minister said the renaming is to honour General Yakubu Gowon (retd), who served as Nigeria’s Head of State from 1966 to 1975 and is celebrated for his leadership during a pivotal period in the nation’s history. The gesture comes shortly after General Gowon recently celebrated his 90th birthday.
The minister emphasised that the proposal to rename the university will be forwarded to the National Assembly for formal approval, ensuring that the change is officially recognised.
Idris said the FEC will go on recess from December 18 until January 6.
