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CNG vehicles: Innoson named Silverbird Manufacturer of the Year
CNG vehicles: Innoson named Silverbird Manufacturer of the Year
Chief Innocent Chukwuma, founder and Chairman of Innoson Group of Companies, owners of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd (IVM), has bagged the Manufacturer of the Year prize at Silverbird Man of the Year Awards 2023.
The award was bestowed on him in Lagos for his feat of being the first automaker in Nigeria to commence the manufacture of a range of vehicles running on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
This came about two weeks after receiving The Sun Awards highest honour of Man of the Year.
The organisers of both awards – The Sun Publishing Ltd and the Silverbird Group – said they took into consideration the fact that Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd commenced the manufacture of sundry CNG-powered buses and other vehicles two years ahead of the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government on May 29, 2023.
The Sun and Silverbird noted that the foresight as well as the ability to assess and take risks exhibited by the IVM management in venturing into the production of CNG vehicles was commendable.
The Silverbird Manufacturer of the Year award was presented to the General Manager, Sales & Marketing, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Co. Ltd, Nnewi, Mr. Obum Osigwe, who represented Dr. Chukwuma at the colourful ceremony held in Lagos on Sunday, March 3, 2024. Speaking after receiving the award, Osigwe said the award would encourage Innoson to intensify its efforts towards manufacturing sundry top quality vehicles as needed by the auto market in Nigeria.
The Innoson GM said, “On behalf of my boss and Chairman Chief Dr Innocent Ifediaso Chukwuma CON, I wholeheartedly accept this prestigious award of the Manufacturer of the Year. “We are grateful for this honour and we would keep doing our best for our dear nation, Nigeria.
“I would like to thank the Chairman of Silverbird Group, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, the management and staff of the Silverbird Group for this honour.
“This award will spur us at Innoson Vehicles to do more and increase our effort in making vehicles Nigeria and the world will be proud of.
“Thank you for shedding light on the activities of manufacturers in Nigeria. We are immensely grateful because without you, Nigerians won’t know our toils and travails in the manufacturing sector.
“Thank you so much and God bless our nation Nigeria.”
The Innoson team to the Silverbird Award included Charles Chukwuma, Ben Okoye, Francis Nwose, Joseph Okeke, and a Sales Representative, Onyinye Okeke.
Chukwuma started the production of CNG vehicles about two years before subsidy on fuel was removed and CNG became the preferred and popular alternative to petrol and diesel.
As of May 29, 2023 when the Federal Government declared that subsidy was gone, Innoson had about 100 units of sundry CNG vehicles on its premises in Nnewi, Anambra State in addition to those already delivered to customers in some parts of the country.
Moreover, Innoson was said to have demonstrated long ago that it has the capacity and facility to convert vehicles currently running on petrol and diesel to CNG, even though the service was restricted to IVM customers.
A statement from the automaker said it had embarked on the construction of a much bigger multi-billion naira IVM plant annex covering about 300 plots of land in Nnewi.
This, it said, would likely be commissioned before the end of the first quarter of 2024 (March) to concentrate on manufacturing autogas vehicles.
A video presentation at the Silverbird event informed the guests that with just a startup capital of N20,000, the young Innocent Chukwuma started his own business.
“What began with motorcycle spare parts retailing has four decades later grown into the leading proponent of made-in-Nigeria products and one of its biggest industrial success stories
“1995, Innoson Nigeria established a fully automated motorcycle assembly plant in Anambra State, becoming the first fully indigenous motorcycle maker in Nigeria.
“In the same year, the group launched Innoson Technical and Industrial Limited, the biggest Plastic manufacturing plant in Nigeria with over 150 product lines.in 2007 , Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing was birthed out of a desire to produce affordable, reliable, and durable vehicles that can compete with international car brands
“IVM Innoson has become a household name in Nigeria’s automobile industry, producing a range of innovative and robust vehicles that cater to the needs of the masses..
”According to the presentation, Innoson stands apart from other car manufacturers because of its focus on local content development.
“The company has invested heavily in research and development to design and manufacture vehicles that are tailored to Nigeria’s terrain, climate, and culture.
“Currently, Innoson employs over 7,000 people, most of them Nigerian youths, thereby providing jobs and income opportunities for the masses.”
Innoson’s success has not gone unnoticed. He was made honorary Life Vice president of the Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture on 23rd of November, 2013.
Innocent is also a grand fellow of Nigerian Institute of Strategic Management.
He currently sits on the board of IVM Innoson Group of Companies and is a member of Manufacturer Association of Nigeria.
He also serves as a Chancellor at Imo State University, Owerri. Chukwuma who incidentally holds a honorary doctoral degree in Business Administration from the University of Nigeria, has won many awards including Auto Personality of the Year, Most Innovative Entrepreneur; Professor Barth Nnaji Prize for Technology at Igbo Awards, amongst many others.
For his years of excellent service to the nation, he was also conferred with the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (OFR) by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.
Chukwuma is married to Josephine and they are blessed with three lovely children.
Chukwuma is the Silverbird recipient of the Manufacturer of the Year Award.One of the high points of the Silverbird Awards was the display of two outstanding Innoson vehicles at the entrance to the venue: IVM Caris sedan, and IVM De Imperial pick-up.De Imperial pick-up is one of the newest additions to the fast growing Innoson vehicle line-up.
Auto
Appeal court takes over NURTW case as NIC withdraws
Appeal court takes over NURTW case as NIC withdraws
The National Industrial Court has withdrawn from a case involving Alhaji Najeem Usman Yasin, Board of Trustees chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and Alhaji Tajudeen Ibikunle Baruwa’s ambition to return as president of the union over lack of jurisdiction.
The industrial court’s decision was made to avoid conflict with the Court of Appeal, where the matter is already being heard.
Before the NIC announced its decision to hands-off the case, the defendants’ counsel, Mr. O.I. Olorundare SAN, had informed the court that the matter is currently before the Court of Appeal, Abuja division, and that the industrial court could not continue to adjudicate on the same matter.
The counsel cited authorities to support his claim, adding that the National Industrial Court does not have concurrent jurisdiction with the Court of Appeal.
The presiding judge, O.O. Oyewunmi, struck out the case, stating that the Appeal Court had taken over the matter and that the Industrial Court must respect the hierarchy of courts.
Alhaji Yasin and six others took the case to the Appeal Court, challenging the decision of the industrial court recognising a delegates’ conference held on May 24, 2023, where Baruwa was proclaimed as President of the union for a second term in office.
With the latest NIC judgement, both parties will now proceed to defend their positions at the Court of Appeal and await the final judgement.
Auto
19 passengers burnt to death in Okene Bypass accident, FRSC blames traffic violation
FRSC blames traffic violation as 19 passengers burnt to death in Okene Bypass accident
A total of 19 people were burnt to death in a tanker-bus collision on Sunday April 28 on Okene-Lokoja highway in Kogi State.
The collision that specifically occurred on Okene Bypass reportedly led to an explosion, trapping a total of 22 passengers in the inferno.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in a statement which gave these details said the crash was largely caused by traffic rules violation.
It added that its emergency rescue team deployed in the area battled the situation for three hours.
Part of statement read, “The crash investigation report revealed that the crash involved two vehicles comprising a Dangote truck bearing the following registration details NSH680YJ, and a Toyota Hiace Bus with registration number KMC455ZE.
“The Toyota Hiace bus loaded from Kano was on its lane on the highway when the Dangote truck driver who drove all the way from Port Harcourt wrongfully overtook a vehicle and collided head-on with the bus.
“The impact of the collision resulted in a fire inferno that burnt the victims to death.
According to the report, the crash which was caused by route violation ‘One-way’ and wrongful overtaking, involved 22 people all male.
“Unfortunately, 19 people out of the 22 victims were killed and one injured.
“The remaining two victims who got rescued by the FRSC operatives without injuries survived the crash because they complied with traffic regulations on compulsory use of seatbelt.
“The corpses of the dead victims have been deposited at Okene General Hospital.
The statement signed by the FRSC spokesman, Jonas Agwu, an Assistant Corps Marshal, recalled that the Corps Marshal of the commission, Dauda Biu, at a press conference last week Thursday “warned against traffic violations citing instances where they resulted in avoidable crashes with fire outbreak, leading to wanton loss of precious lives and destruction to properties.
“As a result of that he had earlier emphasised on the need for maximum penalty for these drivers.
Dauda Biu reaffirmed the resolution of the Corps to continue its ongoing prosecution of drivers who by their actions cause road traffic crashes in Nigeria, noting that the driver of the truck involved in the Okene crash will not be an exception.
“As such, he called on the judiciary, leadership of transport unions and other relevant stakeholders in the road transportation sector to join hands with the Corps towards restoring sanity through speedy and effective prosecution.”
Auto
Chery celebrates automobile excellence, creativity at Lagos roadshow
Chery celebrates automobile excellence, creativity at Lagos roadshow
Chery Nigeria on Friday held many Lagos fans of elegant new vehicles spellbound during its spectacular roadshow.
The event featured a captivating procession from the Carloha showroom to The Palms in VI passing through scenic routes such as the Third Mainland Bridge, Ikoyi and Victoria Island, ending with a celebration at the iconic shopping mall.
The roadshow not only showcased Chery’s exceptional vehicles but also celebrated the spirit of creativity and community.
The event provided a platform for guests to savour and enjoy the unique display of new work of art and automotive excellence.
The roadshow extravaganza, as the organisers called it, was revealed Chery’s commitment to engaging experiences, showcasing the brand’s latest masterpiece, the Tiggo 8 Pro,Tiggo 4 Pro and Arrizo 5, in an unforgettable way.
The highlight of the event was a unique “Sip and Paint” session led by a notable artist, who skilfully captured the essence of the Tiggo 8 Pro on canvas.
Guests were invited to unleash their creativity as they painted their own interpretations of the iconic Chery logo, adding personal touch.
The climax of the evening came with a breathtaking moment as Eben, renowned for his impressionistic prowess, unveiled his masterpiece – a stunning portrayal of the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro.
The artwork, met with awe and admiration from attendees, encapsulated the essence of Chery’s dedication to innovation, style, and sophistication.
Representative of Chery brand in Nigeria, Carloha, says it will continue to provide automotive solutions to customers with its six-year free service and six-year warranty or 200,000km, whichever comes first.
Meanwhile, Chery has expressed its gratitude to all attendees, partners and supporters who contributed to the success of this extraordinary event.
“As the brand continues its journey of innovation and inspiration, it remains dedicated to delivering exceptional experiences that captivate hearts and minds,” the firm said in a statement on Saturday.
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