By OLASUNKANMI AROWOLO, LASU

The pioneer students of the Lagos State University School of Transport (LASUSOT), who were sponsored by the Lagos State Government to the US, have returned armed with great knowledge.

The state government, in a bid to train professionals, sponsored the students abroad to be exposed to what is obtainable in developed countries so as to solve transport problems in the state.

Findings revealed that Governor Babatunde Fashola has decided to invest annually on the SOT so as to solve the challenges of transportation in Lagos by producing the needed qualified manpower, which will make the Transport sector perform its critical role in the nation’s socio-economic development.

The sponsorship is part of the fulfilment of the school’s mission which states thus: “To provide opportunities for prospective transport professionals to acquire specialized training in transport planning and policy, transport technology and infrastructure as well as transport management and operations.”

The leader of the team who is also the President of Transport Students’ Association, Edwin Aniebue briefed the management team on their brief training and practical experience at the 2012 Edition of the American Public Transportation Association Conference in the US.

In appreciation of the opportunity given them by the Vice- Chancellor, Prof. John Obafunwa, the students presented an appreciation card to him, while also thanking the governor for the offer.

According to Aniebue, “we have learnt a lot beyond the classroom. We were taken through the practical aspect of transport; we interacted with transport experts.”

We saw how they manage their public transport system right from the time we arrived at the Atlanta Airport. We believe it is possible here too and we promise to put all we have learnt to practice to actualize same.”