Particular: W.E. Speak
By Pei Xinyu & Li Jiayin from CNS
Infrastructure connectivity is a key part in constructing the Belt and Highway Initiative (BRI). Constructed by Chinese language enterprises, the Abuja Rail Mass Transit (ARMT) in Nigeria has,delivered environment friendly and handy transportation providers, injecting strong momentum into the area’s financial and social improvement.
In 2008, Nigerian girl Issah Abiola joined China Civil Engineering Development Company (CCECC), the place she devoted herself to mastering various expertise by way of rigorous coaching. Her perseverance and willpower propelled her to turn out to be Nigeria’s first feminine prepare driver.
As a bridge of friendship between China and Nigeria, Abiola has actively shared tales of Sino-African cooperation in every single place she went. She adopted the Chinese language identify Bai Yang, which suggests “the resilient poplar tree”. In an unique interview with China Information Service’s “W. E. Speak”, Abiola shared her “railroad dream” and her imaginative and prescient of China-Africa cooperation.
Listed below are the excerpts of the interview:
CNS: What motivated you to turn out to be Nigeria’s first feminine prepare driver in historical past? What challenges did you face throughout this journey, and the way did you overcome them?
Abiola: Whereas engaged on the Abuja-Kaduna Railway undertaking, I discovered {that a} skilled coaching program for prepare drivers was about to start. That second sparked one thing in me, and I mustered the braveness to use. Throughout my time learning in China, I used to be deeply impressed by the pace and orderliness of Chinese language railways — that’s when the dream of turning into a prepare driver first took root in my coronary heart. I knew it wouldn’t be simple, however I needed to interrupt gender stereotypes on my own, and set an instance for extra Nigerian ladies.
All through the coaching, I confronted many challenges. There was skepticism from society, as many believed ladies weren’t suited to be prepare drivers. The bodily calls for and technical necessities had been additionally intense. However I firmly believed that means has nothing to do with gender. With willpower, onerous work, and the devoted steerage of my Chinese language instructors, I steadily overcame the difficulties and proudly turned Nigeria’s first licensed feminine prepare driver.
CNS: You self-learned Chinese language and selected the Chinese language identify Bai Yang which suggests poplar bushes. What’s the story and which means behind this?
Abiola: In 2010, I got here to China to review language and tradition. Throughout a prepare experience, I used to be struck by the sight of rows of tall, upright bushes exterior the window. A Chinese language colleague informed me they had been poplar bushes (baiyang), symbolizing resilience and the power to face tall within the face of adversity.
That second deeply moved me, and I made a decision to undertake “Bai Yang” as my Chinese language identify. I hope to be just like the poplar tree, standing agency in any atmosphere. Extra importantly, I wish to move on this spirit of resilience and confidence to African ladies, encouraging them to chase their desires and break by way of social limitations.
As a lady on this business, I hope to interrupt conventional stereotypes and encourage extra ladies to pursue their desires. My story reveals that so long as you might be prepared to strive, there may be nothing a lady can’t obtain. For Nigerian society, particularly for younger ladies, this carries an essential and optimistic message.
CNS: What modifications do you suppose the BRI has delivered to Nigeria? How do you see the position of Africa-China friendship and cooperation in selling cultural exchanges and friendship?
Abiola: The BRI has introduced tangible modifications to Nigeria. Prior to now, many areas confronted transportation difficulties, which affected individuals’s lives and regional improvement. At the moment, with the development of railways and light-weight rail techniques by Chinese language enterprises, not solely has journey effectivity improved, however the native economies alongside the routes have additionally been stimulated.
Chinese language expertise and engineering requirements have set a brand new benchmark for railway building in Nigeria. From engineering design and tools manufacturing to operations and upkeep, they’re at all times demonstrating top quality and effectivity. These superior experiences have supplied sturdy help for the modernization of Nigeria’s transportation system and have tremendously benefited front-line employees like me.
Transportation is the lifeline of a nation’s improvement. Africa-China cooperation within the transportation sector has not solely improved our infrastructure, but in addition created alternatives for financial restoration and employment. For native younger individuals like me, these initiatives have supplied an opportunity to study new expertise, safe significant jobs, and even encourage extra ladies to hitch the railway business.
The importance of Africa-China cooperation goes past economics — it extends to cultural understanding and people-to-people connection. By means of working and residing with my Chinese language colleagues, I’ve discovered about Chinese language tradition, language, and delicacies, whereas additionally sharing Nigeria’s traditions. This type of interplay brings us nearer and lays a strong basis for lasting friendship between African and Chinese language individuals.
CNS: Promoted by the BRI, what potential do you see for future cooperation between Africa and China? How can we additional strengthen Africa-China relations？
Abiola: Sooner or later, Africa-China cooperation can additional discover areas equivalent to schooling and vocational coaching, inexperienced improvement, and digital infrastructure. For instance, offering extra scholarship applications and technical coaching alternatives for African youth might help us construct native capability for impartial improvement.
On the similar time, extra cultural exchanges, youth visits, and joint initiatives may be carried out, shifting the main target from the “nfrastructure undertaking degree” to the “people-to-people engagement degree”. I imagine that so long as we uphold the rules of mutual profit and mutual respect, Africa-China relations will proceed to develop stronger and go even additional.
Professional Profile:
Baiyang (Issah Abiola), Nigeria’s first feminine locomotive driver, joined China Civil Engineering Development Company (CCECC) Nigeria in 2008. When the Abuja Rail Mass Transit formally launched in 2018, she was obtained by then-President Muhammadu Buhari because the prepare’s driver. In 2019, the Chinese language Embassy in Nigeria awarded her the “China-Nigeria Friendship Contribution Award”. In 2025, she obtained the Friendship Envoy Award on the second Orchid Awards.
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