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Chukwuma hails Fintiri for buying IVM vehicles as NIPR promotes Innoson brand

Published

2 years ago

October 28, 2024

L-R: House of Reps member from Adamawa, Hon. Waikili Aliyu Boya; NIPR President, Dr. Ike Neliaku; and Innoson Chairman, Chief (Dr.) Innocent Chukwuma, CON, during the facility tour of Innoson Vehicle by the NIPR team

Chukwuma hails Fintiri for buying IVM vehicles as NIPR promotes Innoson brand

Chukwuma hails Fintiri for buying IVM vehicles as NIPR promotes Innoson brand

Chairman/CEO of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company Ltd (IVM), Chief Innocent Ifediaso Chukwuma, CON, has urged governors and other public office holders to emulate their counterpart in Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who has adopted a policy of buying only made-in-Nigeria products.

Chukwuma said that Adamawa State governor had been consistently patronising IVM-branded range of vehicles, describing the action as patriotic worthy of emulating.

The Innoson founder spoke when the executive members of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), led by its President, Dr. Ike Neliaku, paid a visit to Innoson Vehicle in Nnewi, Anambra State, where they presented to him the Diamond Anniversary award which is also part of the Institute’s new Rebirth Nigeria campaign.

According to Chief Chukwuma, Nigeria’s economy will develop rapidly if other governor’s take a cue from Governor Fintiri.

He said as the first indigenous motorcycle and automobile manufacturer, he remained irrevocably committed to making products that meet the needs of Nigerians in terms of quality standards and affordability.

He therefore urged decision makers in government at all levels and Nigerians in general, to always look inwards in their purchases.

“All of us in Nigeria should work hard to move our country forward. On my part, I am working hard to see that Nigeria is the base of auto manufacturing in Africa just like the governor of Adamawa State is doing to develop his state and improve the life of his people,” Chukwuuma said.

Applauding Governor Fintiri for always preferring IVM vehicles as evident in the CNG buses he ordered recently from the Nnewi plant, the Innoson chairman spoke further, “The governor is one of my best customers. If other governors behave like him, Nigeria will be much better. Go to Adamawa, you will see that everything there is made-in-Nigeria.

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“And many of the government vehicles on the road there in Adamawa are Innoson, and they don’t have problems.” Speaking after a facility tour of the Innoson Vehicle factory, Dr Neliaku, commended the company and its chairman for making Nigeria proud through the manufacture of good quality products.

He appealed to governments across all levels to patronise IVM and other made-in-Nigeria products and services.

The NIPR president disclosed that the production activities he witnessed inside the factory not only made him proud to be a Nigerian, but reinforced his belief that Nigeria has all the characteristics of a great country.

“Well, having toured Innoson, I am very proud of Nigeria. I have always said that Nigeria remains the best country on earth.

“We have been celebrating Dangote Refinery in the past two months. But before Dangote, there was Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Ltd, Nnewi. And I am saying that we have everything that is required in this country to make Nigeria great,” Nelieku said.

He commended governors and government agencies patronising Innoson vehicle models and other locally made products.

The NIPR president said he felt very proud as a Nigerian to observe various stages of real manufacturing taking place at the Innoson plant, from building on the chassis to painting, even as he lauded Innoson for contributing to making Nigeria great.

He however decried the attitude of some state governors, other government officials and even those in the private sector whom Innoson trusted and sold vehicles to on credit, only for them to abuse the trust by refusing to pay the debts even many years after.

“I want to plead with those who are owing Innoson to think again. Let them realise the implications of what they are doing.

“They are ruining the economy and the future of the young people who work here,” Neliaku stated.

The NIPR president, who was with his Deputy, Prof. Emmanuel Dadaura, also said, “We should encourage this man (Chief Chukwuma) who has devoted his life to promoting this country. This is one of the reasons the NIPR set up the Rebirth Nigeria project. And part of Rebirth Nigeria is to promote made-in-Nigeria products.

“We are going to partner with him, and we are going to escalate the image and reputation of this company. Wherever we go, we are going to be your ambassador.

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“Whether you want it or not, NIPR will henceforth be your ambassador, because you are one of our Diamond Anniversary prize winners.

“We came here to confirm what those who did assessment before making you our Diamond Anniversary prize winner saw, and we have seen with our eyes, and today we present that prize to you because we have now seen and we believe. Congratulations. We are proud of you.

”Impressed with the production activities at the factory, a member of the House of Representatives from Fofure/Song Constituency in Adamawa State, Hon. Waikili Aliyu Boya, who was among the visitors from NIPR, hinted of the likelihood of mobilising his colleagues for a bill to compel government agencies to procure their vehicles locally.

Also part of the NIPR delegation was a journalist and former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Adamawa State, Alhaji Ahmad Sajoh, who said he was pleased to note during the tour of the production lines that Innoson is manufacturing vehicles instead of assembling them like others.

“I must say that as a vehicle manufacturer, Innoson is not just the pride of Nigeria, but also the pride of Africa, and I just hope and pray that government agencies, individuals and other people will encourage the laudable things the company is doing,” Sajoh said.

Echoing the calls for sustained patronage of Innoson vehicles and other brands,’ the Adamawa Chairman of Rice Farmers Association, Dr. Stephen Maduwa, confirmed that the state hast over the years purchased many Innoson vehicles which he described as “very good and strong. Also commenting later, a friend of the company and manufacturer of auto parts, Chrief Tony Nworah, lauded Governor Fintiri for looking inwards, stating that his support for Innoson and other brands made in Nigeria is part of the boost the country’s economy needs.

He noted that the repeat and multiple purchases by the Adamawa and Abia governments over the years are not only a testament to the reliability of the Innoson brand, but exposed the dishonesty of a particular governor that had been giving excuses for not paying for the vehicles he procured years ago.

Chief Nworah further stated, “One other man in government ordered hundreds of Innoson vehicles, and has been giving all manner of ridiculous reasons for refusing to pay for them. But, is it not the same Innoson brand that Governor Fintiri is coming back again and again to buy? If Adamawa State is not getting value and satisfaction from the vehicles, will they be returning for more?

“Yet, the unrepentant debtor in the other government house has been cooking up fake excuses not to pay for the hundreds he purchased years ago. But Nigerians have seen that Innoson vehicles are doing well in all other places in Nigeria except in this debtor’s state. He should repent and pay for what he ordered.”

Chukwuma hails Fintiri for buying IVM vehicles as NIPR promotes Innoson brand

Related Topics:Innoson chairman IVM vehicles NIPR award

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Toyota Celebrates Customers, Partners as Zenith Bank Clinches Top Honour

Published

2 days ago

June 14, 2026

Trends Admin

L-R: Chairman of Toyota Nigeria Limited, Chief Michael Ade.Ojo; Head of Admin and Due Diligence, Zenith Bank, Mr. Callixtus Nwodo; and Head, Dealer Development and Special Duties at Toyota Nigeria Limited, Mr. Henry Ojuoko, during the presentation of Toyota Starlet Cross to Zenith as winner of TNL Evergreen Customer award in Lagos.

Toyota Celebrates Customers, Partners as Zenith Bank Clinches Top Honour

Toyota (Nigeria) Limited celebrated customer loyalty, strategic partnerships and industry excellence at its 2026 Awards and Customers’ Night in Lagos, with Zenith Bank, AGL Motors and leading automotive journalists emerging among the biggest winners.

The event, which coincided with Toyota Nigeria’s 30th anniversary celebrations, attracted customers, dealers, government officials, financial institutions, media practitioners and other stakeholders who have contributed to the company’s growth over the past three decades.

A major highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Evergreen Customer of the Year Award to Zenith Bank Plc in recognition of its status as Toyota Nigeria’s most consistent customer over the last five years.

The award came with a brand-new Toyota Starlet Cross, presented by the company’s Chairman and founder, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo.

Managing Director of Toyota Nigeria Limited, Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo; Chairman of TNL, Chief Michael Ade.Ojo, and MD/CEO, AGL Motors Ltd, Alhaji AbdulAfeez Gabar Lado, at the presentation of the 2025 best customer award to AGL Motors at the Toyota Awards in Lagos.

AGL Motors received recognition as Customer of the Year after recording the highest volume of Toyota vehicle purchases in 2025. The Nigerian Army and Zenith Bank finished as first and second runners-up respectively in the category, with winners receiving office equipment worth several millions of naira.

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Toyota Nigeria also used the occasion to honour members of the media for their contributions to automotive journalism and public understanding of developments in the sector. Theodore Opara of Vanguard won the Journalist of the Year Award, while Mike Ochonma of Transport World and Rasheed Bisiriyu of Newstrends emerged first and second runners-up respectively.

In his address, Managing Director of Toyota Nigeria, Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo, described the annual gathering as a celebration of the enduring relationships that have shaped the company’s success since it commenced operations in 1996.

“Tonight is a moment of reflection, celebration and renewed commitment,” he said, noting that the event underscores Toyota’s customer-first philosophy and appreciation for the loyalty and trust of its stakeholders.

According to him, Toyota Nigeria has grown into one of the country’s most trusted automotive brands through its commitment to quality products, reliable after-sales support and continuous investment in customer satisfaction.

Ade-Ojo assured customers that despite prevailing economic challenges, the company would continue to introduce initiatives aimed at making vehicle ownership easier and more accessible for Nigerians.

He also expressed appreciation to dealers, customers, suppliers, consultants, financial institutions and employees for their support over the years, describing them as critical partners in Toyota Nigeria’s journey and future growth.

Toyota Celebrates Customers, Partners as Zenith Bank Clinches Top Honour

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Toyota moves to ease vehicle ownership amid economic challenges

Published

4 days ago

June 12, 2026

Trends Admin

Toyota Nigeria unveils plans to ease vehicle ownership

As rising costs put car ownership beyond the reach of many Nigerians, Toyota Nigeria Limited says it is rolling out fresh measures to make buying and maintaining vehicles easier for customers.

Managing Director, Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo, announced the plans at the company’s 2026 Awards and Customers’ Night in Lagos, where he reaffirmed Toyota’s commitment to expanding mobility solutions in the country.

A statement on Thursday quoted Ade-Ojo as saying Toyota Nigeria would continue to innovate and introduce strategies that would enable more Nigerians to own and maintain Toyota vehicles while enjoying quality after-sales support.

According to him, the company’s commitment goes beyond selling vehicles to ensuring customers enjoy a seamless ownership experience through a robust nationwide service network.

“We will continue to innovate, adapt and elevate our product offerings and service delivery. Our ambition remains clear: to sustain industry leadership while contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s economic development as a responsible corporate citizen,” he said.

He added that the company’s future plans are aligned with Toyota’s global vision of enriching lives through mobility, with a strong focus on innovation, sustainability and value creation.

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Ade-Ojo noted that Toyota Nigeria’s success over the years had been driven by the loyalty of customers, support from dealers, suppliers, employees, financial institutions and strategic partners, as well as the guidance of the company’s board led by its founder and chairman, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of the Evergreen Customer of the Year Award to Zenith Bank Plc, which retained the title as Toyota Nigeria’s highest-volume customer for 2025. In recognition of the achievement, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo presented the bank with the keys to a brand-new Toyota Starlet Cross.

AGL Motors emerged overall winner in the Customer of the Year category, while the Nigerian Army and Zenith Bank were named first and second runners-up respectively. The winners received office equipment valued at several millions of naira.

Toyota Nigeria also honoured excellence in automotive journalism. Theodore Opara of Vanguard was named Journalist of the Year, while Mike Ochonma of Transport World and Rasheed Bisiriyu of Newstrends received awards for their contributions to automotive reporting, mobility advocacy and industry analysis.

Speaking at the event, several dealers and business partners commended Toyota Nigeria’s investments in dealer development, technical training and workshop upgrades, describing the initiatives as critical to sustaining high service standards and customer satisfaction across the country.

Toyota Nigeria unveils plans to ease vehicle ownership

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Zenith Bank tops awards list as Toyota Nigeria celebrates three decades of excellence (plus photos)

Published

1 week ago

June 7, 2026

Trends Admin

Zenith Bank tops awards list as Toyota Nigeria celebrates three decades of excellence (plus photos)

Zenith Bank Plc has emerged as the biggest winner at the 2026 Toyota Awards and Customers’ Night, clinching the coveted Evergreen Customer of the Year Award for the second consecutive year in recognition of its exceptional patronage of Toyota vehicles over the past five years.

The colourful event, held on Friday, May 5, 2026, at The Podium Event Centre in Lekki, Lagos, brought together an impressive gathering of customers, dealers, government officials, corporate partners, media practitioners and industry stakeholders to celebrate the achievements of Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL) and strengthen the partnerships that have sustained its leadership in Nigeria’s automotive industry.

The annual awards ceremony serves as a platform to reward loyal customers, honour strategic partners and reinforce the company’s customer-first philosophy.

The highlight of the evening came when representatives of Zenith Bank were invited to the stage to receive the prestigious award for purchasing the highest number of Toyota vehicles from TNL dealerships in 2025.

The banking giant also secured the same honour last year after emerging as the customer with the highest cumulative vehicle purchases between 2020 and 2024.

In recognition of the feat, Chairman and founder of Toyota Nigeria Limited, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, presented Zenith Bank with the keys to a brand-new Toyota Starlet Cross.

The competition in the Customer of the Year category was equally keen. AGL Motors emerged as the overall winner, while the Nigerian Army and Zenith Bank finished as first and second runners-up respectively. The winners received office equipment worth several millions of naira.

The 2026 edition of the awards carried special significance as Toyota Nigeria celebrated its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of operations since its establishment in 1996.

In keeping with its tradition of recognising contributors across its business ecosystem, Toyota Nigeria also honoured outstanding automotive journalists whose reports and analyses helped shape public understanding of developments in the industry.

Veteran motoring journalist, Theodore Opara of Vanguard, was named Journalist of the Year for his consistent coverage of the automotive sector and insightful reporting on industry trends and Toyota’s innovations.

Mike Ochonma of Transport World emerged as the runner-up, while Rasheed Bisiriyu of Newstrends was recognised as the second runner-up for their contributions to automotive journalism, particularly in the areas of vehicle technology, mobility solutions and market analysis.ĺ

Earlier in his keynote address, Managing Director of TNL, Kunle Ade-Ojo reflected on the company’s journey, describing the milestone as a testament to resilience, innovation and customer loyalty.

“Tonight is a moment of reflection, celebration and renewed commitment,” he said.

“For us at Toyota Nigeria, this annual gathering is more than a tradition. It is a deliberate expression of our enduring philosophy of putting the customer first. It provides a unique platform to honour the loyalty, trust and partnership that have defined our journey over the years.”

According to him, Toyota Nigeria has evolved from modest beginnings into one of the country’s most trusted automotive brands through a relentless focus on quality, reliability and service excellence.

“Since commencing operations in 1996, our journey has been defined by resilience, growth and transformation. Our progress over the past three decades has been anchored on one unwavering principle—creating value for our customers.

“Beyond delivering vehicles that meet diverse mobility needs, we have invested significantly in building a nationwide after-sales ecosystem designed to provide a seamless and premium ownership experience.”

Ade-Ojo assured customers and stakeholders that Toyota Nigeria would continue to innovate and improve its products and services despite prevailing economic challenges.

Several dealers and business partners used the occasion to commend Toyota Nigeria for its continuous investments in dealer development, training initiatives and workshop upgrades aimed at improving service delivery nationwide.

Ade-Ojo expressed gratitude to Toyota Nigeria’s extensive network of stakeholders, including dealers, customers, suppliers, consultants, financial institutions and employees.

“The journey of the past 30 years would not have been possible without the unwavering support and contributions of our stakeholders,” he said.

The managing director also acknowledged the support of Toyota Nigeria’s principal partner, Toyota Motor Corporation, as well as the company’s board of directors led by Chief Ade.Ojo.

He further assured customers that Toyota Nigeria would continue to introduce customer-friendly initiatives designed to make vehicle ownership more accessible despite economic headwinds.

“Despite the monumental challenges in the economy, Toyota Nigeria will continue to devise means that will enable our customers to enjoy their preferred auto brand—Toyota. We will continue to initiate customer-friendly business improvement strategies aimed at making our vehicles more affordable.”