Mr. Ben Iloanusi, hitherto, the Director of Procurement at the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), has been named by the federal government as the Acting Managing Director of the corporation, following the retirement of Engr. Freeborn Okhiria.
Though the most senior director, he is coming into the MD position with an enviable strength of both international and local exposure, having worked in the Railway sector in the UK for some years before joining the NRC.
A press statement from the NRC says he is a graduate of Political science from the University of Nigeria Nsukka and (holds) MBA in International Management from the South Bank university London.
“Mr Iloanusi joined the Nigerian Railway Corporation in 2011 as the Deputy Director, Procurement before rising to the post of the Director of Procurement in 2019.
“The acting MD in his acceptance during the handing over event last Friday solicited the cooperation of the staff and management of the NRC to be extended to him more than that of his predecessor.
He welcomed constructive advice and criticisms that could move the corporation forward during his tenure.
The ceremony was described as highly emotional where testimonies were made acknowledging the vast experience, patience, compassion and fatherly role of the former MD.
Okhiria, who was MD of the NRC for eight years, joined the corporation in March 1987 as a pupil engineer, rising through the ranks to the top.
He handed over to the new helmsman on Friday, October 18, 2024, according to a statement obtained on Sunday from the spokesman for the corporation, Mr Yakub Mahmood, a deputy director.
Part of the statement read, “The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation Engr F.E Okhiria hands over duties and responsibilities after completing his 2nd four-year term of the office successfully last Friday to the most senior director of the corporation, Mr Ben Iloanusi.
“The outgoing MD during the handing over ceremony commended the management and staff of the corporation for the cooperation and understanding extended to him during his tenure, which according to the former NRC boss was the bedrock of his success in running the affairs of the corporation.
“Engineer Okhiria enjoined the management and staff of the corporation to extend same cooperation and understanding to the incoming acting MD.”
