Inside NRC Valentine Love Train Ride

Love and excitement filled the air recently when the Nigerian Railways Corporation (NRC) organised a special train ride tagged, “Railway Valentine Love Train Ride,” an initiative of the current management of the NRC under Dr. Kayode Opeifa. It was considered the first of its kind in the recent history of the NRC when the corporation […]

Love and excitement filled the air recently when the Nigerian Railways Corporation (NRC) organised a special train ride tagged, “Railway Valentine Love Train Ride,” an initiative of the current management of the NRC under Dr. Kayode Opeifa.

It was considered the first of its kind in the recent history of the NRC when the corporation partnered with Ojez Entertainment Limited to organise the special train ride for couples and loved ones.

February 14 being Valentine Day is a day cherished for celebration of love, affection and bond among couples, loved ones and families.

This year, as many Nigerians celebrated the Valentine, the NRC added glamour to the memorable occasion with the Valentine Train Ride.

Away from the regular passenger train which the NRC is known for across its train corridors including Lagos-Ibadan Train Service; Abuja-Kaduna; Warri-Itakpe, the Valentine Train Ride was more than a ride. It was a spectacle of unlimited excitement as some Nollywood actors and entertainers were invited to be part of the train ride.

Many passengers on board had never experienced the railway; in fact some of them did not realise that the railway system has long been revived and it is currently undergoing transformation with several ongoing railway projects that would further expand the footprints of the Nigerian railway.

The ride featured live music, comedy, couple Games, Fashion Parade, Special Performance by different artists.

Among the entertainers in attendance were Nigerian singer and dancer, Yinka Davies, popular female disc jockey, Faith Uche Stevens, a.k.a ‘DJ Electra’ as well as Sunny Neji also known as Mr. Fantastik who is renowned for his hit love song Oruka, which is played in most Nigerian wedding. 

The train ride from Mobolaji Johnson Train Station in Lagos down to Obafemi Awolowo Train Station in Moniya Ibadan was full of fun and excitement. There was no dull moment throughout the trip with music blaring and the couples participating in the Karaoke performances while the fashion parade also added glamour to the trip.

The valentine train ride was a blend of transportation, tourism and entertainment as passengers savoured the beautiful scenery of communities on the Lagos-Ibadan Train. From Babatunde Raji Fashola Train Station (Agege); Lateef Jakande Station (Agbado); Prof. Yemi Osinbajo Station (Kajola); Chief Olufunmilayo Ransome Kuti (Papalanto); Professor Wole Soyinka Station (Abeokuta) to Aremo Olusegun Osoba Train Station (Olodo); Ladoke Akintola (Omi Adio) and the last station known as Obafemi Awolowo, the charming view of the communities was a sight to behold and the passengers were marveled at the natural endowments along the train routes.

The Acting community was powerfully represented with the new President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu also in the train ride.

The Managing Director of the NRC, Dr. Opeifa inaugurated the valentine train ride, expressing delight with the turnout of the participants. He assured the passengers of a smooth ride throughout the journey, advising them to make the best use of the time to relax, have fun and share the moments with their loved ones.

Opeifa said Nigerians, under the Renewed Hope Administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would witness massive transformation in railway transportation, saying the President is committed to connecting all states of Nigeria with railway transportation in order to facilitate movement of passengers and goods.

Recounting his experience on the train, the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria President commended the NRC leadership for the initiative, advising it to extend the special train ride to other festivities while expanding it to other train services across the country.

 “For the first time, we are seeing tourism and entertainment in a very innovative way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. It’s very innovative and it’s good,” he said.

“Dr. Kayode Opeifa is a man of innovation. He is a man with style. He makes a difference anywhere he finds himself. From his time as commissioner over the past 20 years, we saw the innovations he brought about and now we are seeing it again.

“The train system is changing. It’s becoming more entertaining and more vibrant. It’s a support system to tourism and you can see that it’s awakening tourism in Nigeria. He is not just someone doing the job. He comes with something different. He is a special breed and you can see that everything around you is very special.”

On his expectation of the train system, he said, “In the medium term, I expect an expansion of routes to accommodate other Nigerians and allow them to enjoy the train ride. What we have so far is very pleasing, enjoyable and secure. Security is the most important thing.

“In the long term, the connectivity across the country should expand to connect one state or region to another so that every Nigerian has the opportunity to experience it. It’s not just about the train ride anymore. It’s changing the norm for others to copy.

“We used to talk about trains in terms of carrying passengers and cargo. But the innovation we are seeing now is different. It helps tourism. It brings entertainment into transportation. It uses entertainment to boost tourism and support the transport system.”

On her part, DJ Electra while sharing her excitement with the train ride said, “Seeing Agege, the community is beautiful. It was an amazing experience and very inspiring.”

“Well, what I have seen so far with the valentine real fest, I love it, the creativity of mixing fashion, music and art and mixing culture, it is more natural. What I would like to see is to open the window more,” she added.

For many couples on board, it was more of a romantic getaway. The excitement was wrapped with the live performance by Sunny Neji who beautifully rendered his hit love song, “Oruka” to the admiration of the passengers.