Ileya Festival: Gov. Adeleke Continues Aregbesola’s Legacy On Free Train Ride

In what appears to be a copy of the model of the former Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has approved the free Train ride for all his citizens residing in Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states who are willing to celebrate the forthcoming Eid-El-Kabir (Ileya Festival ) in Osun State.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Osogbo on Friday, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Rev. Bunmi Jenyo disclosed that the State Government has concluded arrangements for the services with the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC).

This, according to him, is to ease transportation stress and enable those who are interested to celebrate this year’s Eid El Kabir (Ileya Festival) with their families and loved ones in Osun State, to do so, free of charge.

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According to the Commissioner, “As part of his efforts to make life easier for his people, the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke has provided free train rides for Osun indigenes living in Lagos State, Ogun State, and Oyo State willing to celebrate the Ileya festival with their families in Osun State”.

“The Imole free train ride will depart the Iddo-terminus in Lagos on Saturday, 15th June 2024 by 10 am with stop-overs at designated train stations in Ogun and Oyo States to pick passengers and is expected to arrive at the Osogbo train station by 6 pm”.

“The return trip from Osogbo railway terminus to Lagos will be on Wednesday, 19th June 2024 by 12 noon”.

The Osun Free Train Model

Osun Defender recalls that the free train rides program was started by Ogbeni Rauf Aregebesola in 2011 during his tenure as the governor of Osun.

The Aregbesola administration said the free train ride was to facilitate easy movement during all festivities, covering Easter, Christmas, New Year, and the two Islamic Eids for indigenes of the state who wished to travel home.

However, the free train was aborted during the administration of Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola when he ruled the state.

However, the current governor of the State, Senator Ademola Adeleke continued with the free train ride for indigenes of Osun from Lagos to Osogbo, the state capital during festive seasons started by one of his predecessors, Aregebesola.