Former President Muhammadu Buhari has lauded Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, former Governor of Rivers State and two-time Minister of Transportation, as a “golden fish” and an invaluable asset to his administration, just as Amaechi marked his 60th birthday. In a congratulatory message released by his former media aide, Mallam Garba Shehu, Buhari recounted Amaechi’s pivotal role in transforming Nigeria’s transport sector, especially through the revival and expansion of the country’s railway system.
Buhari credited Amaechi with sharing his vision of strengthening national infrastructure, particularly by addressing long-standing gaps in railway connectivity. He noted that under Amaechi’s leadership, the railway system, which had been “killed and buried for decades,” experienced a remarkable revival. This included the completion of abandoned projects, the transformation of railway stations into major transit hubs, and the initiation of new lines across the country many of which were completed before Amaechi left office.
The former president highlighted how the railway system began to serve millions of Nigerians again, increasing network capacity for both passenger and freight services, introducing new rolling stock, and enhancing safety standards. Buhari described Amaechi’s tenure as a period that ushered in a new era of railway infrastructure, restoring public confidence in government-led development projects. He extended his best wishes to Amaechi and his family for many happy years ahead.
The accolades come at a time when Amaechi is reportedly aligning with a coalition of prominent opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Governor Nasir El-Rufai, in a bid to challenge the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu. Meanwhile, President Tinubu has also sent birthday wishes to Amaechi, despite their political differences, in a gesture that has drawn mixed reactions from the public.