60th Birthday: Tribute to Dr Kayode Opeifa | By Dr Kazeem Kolawole Raji
Congratulations and Happy 60th Birthday to a rare gem, a patriot of uncommon courage, and a transformative force in Nigeria’s transport sector—Dr Kayode Opeifa, the distinguished Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation.
Today, we celebrate not just the passing of time but the profound legacy of a man whose life has been defined by service, sacrifice, and relentless commitment to national development.
Dr Opeifa is a name etched in the annals of Nigeria’s transport evolution. A seasoned technocrat and a visionary transport expert, he has consistently demonstrated that leadership is not about occupying a position but about creating pathways where none existed. From his sterling contributions as a former Commissioner for Transportation in Lagos State to his national service as Executive Secretary of the National Transportation Commission, Dr Opeifa’s work has improved mobility, redefined policy, and championed sustainability in our urban systems.
Yet, beyond the technocratic brilliance, Dr Opeifa is a symbol of moral courage and ideological clarity. A comrade in every sense of the word, his youth was spent on the frontlines of the liberation struggle for the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria. With a voice that resonated in protest halls and policy rooms alike, he stood unwavering in the face of tyranny, lending his intellect and integrity to the cause of freedom and justice. His sacrifices, alongside those of other patriots, helped pave the democratic path we now walk.
Today, as he marks three score years, we salute not only the milestones he has reached but also the lives he has touched, viz.: students, activists, professionals, policymakers, and citizens across Nigeria. Dr Opeifa remains a friend and an exemplar of public service steeped in compassion, diligence, and patriotic fervour.
May this new decade of your life be filled with divine health, greater impact, renewed vision, and continued grace. Nigeria is better because you dared to care. The transport sector is stronger because you dared to dream. And democracy stands taller because you stood firm.
Happy birthday, my brother. Igba Odun, Odun kan.
Dr Kazeem Kolawole Raji,
Director General/CEO,
National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI).