On Saturday, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, launched the Gbaja Ride programme, a new initiative that will offer free transportation to primary and secondary school students in Surulere Local Government Area. The scheme also aims to help elderly residents aged 65 and above.
Gbajabiamila, who is the immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives, unveiled 33 mini and medium-sized buses that will run the programme. Speaking at the launch, he said that this initiative is a direct reflection of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and hopes it will make a real difference in people’s lives.
“This could be the thing that helps a student succeed in school or prevents someone from missing out on important opportunities,” Gbajabiamila said. He emphasized that transportation is more than just a convenience—it’s an essential part of life that affects everything from education to health.
The scheme will provide free rides for school children to and from school, but it doesn’t stop there. When the buses aren’t needed for school runs, Surulere residents will be able to use them at a 25% discounted fare, making this not just a school transportation program but a wider effort to improve mobility in the area.
He also mentioned that the government’s role is to help people achieve their dreams, and for him, serving the people of Surulere has been a rewarding experience. “Serving Surulere has been good stress,” he joked, noting how committed he is to the community.
Beyond just transportation, Gbajabiamila highlighted that the programme is also about providing social services—prioritizing elderly residents, women with children, and people with disabilities. The launch of the Gbaja Ride scheme has already created 100 jobs, including for drivers, logistics personnel, and support staff.
To ensure the project runs smoothly, Gbajabiamila personally promised to cover the salary costs, fuel, insurance, and vehicle maintenance for the first three months. After that, the scheme is expected to be self-sustaining, relying on a model designed to keep it running long-term.
The response from Surulere residents has been overwhelmingly positive, with many seeing it as a much-needed intervention to tackle everyday challenges like transportation.
Lagos Reporters will continue to track the progress of the Gbaja Ride scheme and provide updates on how it’s impacting the people of Surulere.
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