Nigeria's first female driver of urban rail: China is helping us whole heartedly

In Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, there is a big railway station called Idu, which is both the starting point of the Abuja-Kaduna railway and a pivot of Abuja's urban rail. After arriving at Idu station by urban rail, passengers from the airport or downtown can directly transfer to the train and head northward on the Abuja-Kaduna railway. 

A long queue has formed at the ticket window of Idu railway station around 7:00 a.m. while the shuttling "motorcycle taxis" carry countless passengers. Issah Abiola, a Nigerian girl whose Chinese name is Bai Yang, gets on an urban train to "warm up" for the first departure at 8:30 a.m. She is the train driver. 

Thanks to the advancement of BRI construction, the Abuja-Kaduna railway and Abuja urban railway built by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) were successively launched. The area around Idu railway station was once desolate but now teeming with endless flow of people. Many young people like Bai Yang got jobs and witnessed the growth of Abuja. 

-- "Chinese experience meets the development need of Nigeria"

"Warm-up" refers to the preparation before train departure. Bai Yang and the assistant driver Paul Kima carefully check the lubricating oil, water and electrical system and other relevant components, and then start the train step by step. Puffing white smoke, the train is ready to leave. 

"Check finished. Train in good condition. Ready to go!" After confirming all check results, Bai Yang signals to Paul. Paul immediately reports to the dispatching center via intercom. After receiving the departure order in the intercom, Bai Yang says, "Copy that. Repeat. A301 schedule is executed today." She turns on the console and the train slowly leaves the railway station. 

Bai Yang is the country’s first female train driver. In 2006, CCECC advertised to recruit chef assistants in Ilorin, Kwara State, the hometown of Bai Yang. She had just graduated from high school and long been impressed with the handsome salary and good reputation of Chinese companies. She applied for the job and succeeded in joining the CCECC. "Chinese experience meets the development need of Nigeria. China is helping us wholeheartedly. So there's definitely a lot I can do if I learn Chinese well." With further understanding of Chinese enterprises, Bai Yang became more determined to stay in a Chinese enterprise, and thus spent almost all her spare time learning the Chinese language. 

"A kind of tree that always aims high, with straight stem and straight branches", this is the praise of poplar tree (Bai Yang in Chinese) by Mao Dun, a modern Chinese writer. Bai Yang took it as her Chinese name, hoping to be "clean, righteous and aspirant" as the tree. 

In 2013, the track laying kicked off for the Abuja's urban rail project, which all adopted the Chinese railway technical standards. Bai Yang, because of her excellent performance, got the chance to take training for urban train drivers and was the only female trainee. When the urban rail was launched in July 2018, Bai Yang became the only female of the first drivers. 

Bai Yang has concentrated on her work while the train is galloping forward. She is quite skillful after years of training and two years of practice. "Safety is of the utmost importance", says she, who must be alert throughout the journey but she does enjoy driving the train, "As a train driver, I feel the envies of other people, and I am so honored and proud."

-- "What a historic moment!"

"Transportation is the lifeline of a city, and we sincerely appreciate the Chinese government and people for their support to Nigeria's development." On July 12, 2018, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari personally attended the launch ceremony of Abuja urban rail, and praised it as a "high-quality project". 

That day was Bai Yang's birthday. As a staff representative, she gave the command flag to the President who signaled the departure of the first train. "What a historic moment!" Bai Yang was so excited, "The company appointed me as the driver. It is the trust not only for me personally, but for all local Nigerian employees."

As the first urban rail in the western Africa, Abuja urban rail provides a new transport mode, and in particular, highlights Abuja's role as a pivot after the seamless connection of urban rail with Abuja-Kaduna railway, Abuja airport terminal and the capital's municipal bus system. According to Bai Yang, there have been great changes in their travel and life since the opening of the urban rail. Most of the local residents live in the four satellite towns outside the capital city, and commute in all directions. Traffic congestion frequently occurs in rush hours when autos go at a snail's pace. "The urban rail is punctual, and has become more and more popular. It significantly alleviates the city's traffic congestion and reduces traffic accidents."

During the peak of the construction, the urban rail project provided close to 5,000 jobs for the local people. Since its opening, more job opportunities have been created and a number of local people have received management and technical training. Paul said, "I've been working in CCECC for seven years. The company attaches great importance to the employees' capacity building and career development, giving me a sense of belonging."

At 10:30 am, after finishing one shift of driving, Bai Yang goes to the office to take on secretarial work. She concurrently serves as the secretary of Idu operation division of CCECC Nigeria, responsible for coordination and communication between the Chinese and Nigerian sides. "Bai Yang is considerate, conscientious and innovative", said Zhuang Yanhui, business manager of operation division. "The company boasts a huge number of local employees including frontline workers and managerial and technical backbone. Like Bai Yang, the local talents with strong adaptability and excellent capabilities will embrace large space of personal development."

-- "I am glad to see their life getting better"

Most train stops are in residential areas. Bai Yang opens the window. Some passers-by warmly greet her. 

"When driving the train through the city, I do feel the true benefits", Bai Yang is familiar with the changes, "Look, stores are mushrooming along the rail with more customer flows. Business districts and residential communities are taking shape. The streets are bustling with people and I am glad to see their life getting better", Bai Yang said proudly, "It's so good to witness all these changes."

Pascal Norrie, general manager of Nigerian Railways in Abuja, meets Bai Yang in his patrol inspection. "You did a good job! I am proud of you for ensuring the safe operation of railway!" In the opinion of Norrie, Abuja's urban rail not only creates profits and jobs, but has long-term inestimable value for its safety and sustainability. 

The Abuja-Kaduna railway and Abuja urban railway were suspended during the pandemic. The 5-storey building of the integrated train servicing center of Abuja urban railway was urgently converted into a makeshift hospital. This 12,500-square-meter hospital with 506 beds became available in just some 40 days, which played an important role in the COVID-19 response of Nigeria. At the same time, the project department spared no effort on all other relevant work. In May 2021, the new multiple units were put into trial operation. "It's more intelligent, convenient and reliable in operation", after body temperature test and disinfection, Bai Yang dressed in protective clothing and a mask returned to her beloved post and drove the MU train for the first time. 

"Chinese friends are helping us and the whole Africa. I hope to contribute my strength to the common development of both Nigeria and China", Bai Yang is full of expectation, "One day when our country has the high-speed rail, I will apply for the new position. I want to be Nigeria's first female driver of high-speed train, and a practitioner of the Nigeria Speed."