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‘No serious government toys with automotive industry’

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  • Auto policy review taking too long, BKG tells FG

Managing Director of BKG Exhibitions Limited, Mr Ifeanyichukwu Agwu, has lamented the dwindling fortunes of the Nigeria’s auto industry, noting that government must immediately focus its attention to the sector to boost the national economy.

He stated this on Wednesday at the opening ceremony of 16th edition of Lagos Motor Fair and Autoparts Expo Africa.

He underscored the importance of the auto industry to the economy of the nation and urged the Federal Government and other stakeholders to work in synergy for its accelerated development.

He stated, “The sector is very important as it shows physically the state of the economy and it generates much revenue and creates enormous employment.

“No serious government toys with it. It is a sector that affects virtually everything. If it is not rightly re-positioned now it will in the very near future negatively affect a whole lot in the life of the people and economy.”

He said this would ensure that the programme initiated about nine years ago achieve its desired goals.

The BKG MD, who is also chairman of the organising committee, Lagos Motor Fair, also called on the Federal Government to urgently come out with its promised reviewed National Automotive Industry Development Plan to reflect the realities and developments its implementation has thrown up.

He said, “We are racing against time and it does not augur well for the stakeholders, especially those that have invested billions of naira in automobile assembling/manufacture in Nigeria.”

Specifically, he suggested that the government should collaborate with the sector stakeholders to make the industry better.

“There is an urgent need for all the stakeholders to close ranks and pursue the development of the sector with more focus and dedication. They need to ensure unity of purpose and always utilize every window of opportunity such as this, to draw the attention of policy makers and implementers to the challenges in the sector,” he advised.

Agwu noted that the sector was currently facing a seriously challenging time in Nigeria, lamented that “a lot of companies have closed shop while a large number (firms) are merely existing and direly in need of life support. This can be confirmed by the number of exhibitors in this edition.

“Ordinarily, it is the delight and wish of any serious player in the industry to showcase amongst others but here we are witnessing the opposite.

“I, therefore, call on all involved to synergize by having one common front and fora where we interface with the government regularly, since it remains the biggest spender in the sector and also the policy maker and implementer. We will be able to move our business forward and better when we do this and more as developments arise.”

He stated that the BKG Exhibitions and its partners remained committed towards using this key annual event to strengthen Nigerian auto parts markets’ role as the hub of the sector’s business in Africa.

“The intention is to make players in the sector from other countries in the continent to be buying from the Nigerian markets. Nigeria has the resources and capacity to play such a role and it will be a very big disservice to Nigeria and its people if another African country does this ahead of Nigeria,” he said.

 

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Lanre Shittu Motors to endow Automobile Department of Lagos Technical College 

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LSM team presenting cheques to winners of competitions held at the Engineering Week of Lagos Technical College, Aso-Soba, Festac... recently

Lanre Shittu Motors to endow Automobile Department of Lagos Technical College 

Lanre Shittu Motors has announced a novel idea that will boost automobile studies in a Lagos technical college.

Specifically, it has pledged to adopt the Automobiles Department of the Government Technical College, Aso-Soba in the Festac area of Lagos.

This is intended to raise academic and practical programme standards of the school.

The company said this would involve adequate funding, in-school training and intensive industrial training (IT) with welfare package to encourage more young people to pursue academic career in automotive engineering.

Business Support/Admin Manager of LSM, Mr Babatunde Adenuga, disclosed this in Lagos, in an interview with journalists.

Adenuga represented the LSM Managing Director, Mr Taiwo Shittu, at the just concluded Engineering Week of the college sponsored by the auto company, where he unveiled the plan to the staff and students at the event’s grand finale.

Aside from the needed financial support to make the auto department functional and standard, he said LSM would provide the tools, overall wears/workshop uniform, among others, as part of the welfare package for the students.

He said it would be a win-win situation for the school and the company.

Adenuga said, “The school will benefit immensely from the LSM package for the department as we take the financial trouble of running the department away from them.

“Students from the department can come for their internship at LSM workshops, and getting jobs after school won’t be difficult.

“For us, it will be a seamless arrangement in getting suitable personnel familiar with our training and business orientation.”

He also said the LSM had been absorbing students from the school and others for their industrial training (IT), providing them with useful hands-on training and monthly stipend to keep them going.

The LSM MD, Taiwo Shittu, commenting on the support, said, “We’ll be part of the progress of the school. We want to own a department in the technical college, the automobile department of studies that will enable us to fund the place; take care of the welfare of students, providing the tools, overall uniform and other facilities.”

“At LSM, we see training the youths as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility. Every year, we take in youths into our facility and train them; even while in training, we give them stipends.”

The highpoint of the LSM-sponsored Government Technical College event was the presentation of prizes to outstanding students in the various competitions held for the Engineering Week.

Three of the students whose projects stood out such as locally produced water pumping machine and water heater went home with impressive cash awards.

Principal of the college, Mr Folarin Sunkanmi, expressed appreciation to LSM for the interest in the school, starting with giving the students the opportunity for industrial training and offering them monthly stipend.

The principal commended the LSM efforts of sponsoring the engineering week’s activities, whose theme was given as ‘Engineering for Sustainable Development (Innovators of tomorrow)’

He urged other companies to emulate the LSM example in order to boost the employability chances of products of the technical colleges and engineering departments of higher institutions in the country.

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Nigeria’s firm, Weststar Associates, shines in Dubai, wins Daimler Truck EliteClass award 

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Nigeria’s firm, Weststar Associates, shines in Dubai, wins Daimler Truck EliteClass award 

 

Weststar Associates Limited, Authorised General Distributor of Daimler Truck in Nigeria, has brought honour home all the way from United Arab Emirates specifically at the EliteClass 2024 Season Awards.

Daimler Truck Middle East Africa the Weststar team with the Silver Award in the Elite CSP (Customer Service and Parts) Performance category.
This is contained in a statement issued in Lagos, which added that the EliteClass 2024 Awards ceremony brought together 40 Daimler Truck Business Partners for a night of recognition and celebration.
Held at the One & Only Royal Mirage in Dubai, the prestigious black-tie event honoured top-performing general distributors that have demonstrated exceptional performance, dedication, and commitment to excellence in 2024.
The EliteClass 2024 Awards C
ceremony was the culmination of a year-long EliteClass programme for the Middle East and Africa measuring 24 categories across the entire business spectrum for Mercedes-Benz Trucks, Daimler Buses, and Fuso Trucks & Bus.
The awards highlighted the dedication and resilience of partners who have achieved outstanding performance and a remarkable commitment to excellence and contributed significantly to Daimler Truck’s success in the MEA regions.
President & CEO of Daimler Truck Middle East Africa, Mr. Michael Dietz, emphasized the importance of collaboration and performance-driven success during his opening address. “EliteClass 2024 is more than just an awards ceremony—it is a testament to the hard work, commitment, and shared vision of our partners.
“Their achievements continue to drive our brand forward, setting new benchmarks in customer experience and operational excellence across the region,” he said.
Weststar’s General Manager, Sales, Mr. Christopher Irumudomon, was present at the EliteClass 2024 Season Awards ceremony to accept the Silver Award in the Elite CSP (Customer Service and Parts) Performance category.
While presenting this award, the Daimler Trucks MEA leadership made the following statement: “Congratulations on your achievement in the EliteClass Central Africa 2024 Season. We are pleased to recognize your individual category achievement.”
The EliteClass 2024 Awards reaffirms Daimler Truck’s commitment to excellence, continuous growth, and the recognition of partners who drive success in an evolving industry landscape.
According to the statement, Weststar Associates Limited continues to fly the flag of the “brand with the star” high in Nigeria.
It said the company had remained the go-to home for all Mercedes-Benz needs in this region.
“With a dealership network that expands to the major regions of the country, along with highly trained and experienced sales and after-sales staff. Nigerians can rest assured that they will always have ‘the best or nothing’ at their disposal,” it stated.

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KIA, Access Bank launch special finance scheme for vehicle ownership 

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KIA, Access Bank launch special finance scheme for vehicle ownership 

 

KIA Motors Nigeria in partnership with Access Bank Plc has unveiled a new finance scheme designed to increase vehicle ownership and affordability in the country.

The deal, according to a statement by the auto firm, offers flexible and affordable financing alternatives, enabling individuals, women, and businesses to own cars with ease.

The scheme features the all-new Kia Rio 2023, with repayment plans spanning five to seven years.

Marketing Manager, KIA Motors Nigeria, Omolade Akinyode, said, ”Dana Motors has been at the forefront of Nigeria’s automotive industry since 2002, providing exceptional automotive solutions and presently leading the charge for luxury electric cars, CNG cars and buses.

“Our partnership with Access Bank reinforces our commitment to supporting Nigeria’s economic growth, individuals, and women.”

She also said, ”Our core competitive edge in the auto industry is the offering of best in class vehicles at affordable prices and this retail financing scheme is a significant step towards promoting vehicle ownership in Nigeria.

”With a flexible repayment option of up to 48 months, equity contribution as low as 10% and over N6m discount and we are proud to be at the forefront of this initiative to make owning the all-new Kia Rio 2023 a dream come through for our Nigerian Customers.”

KIA stated that the car in the package, Rio 2023, is an award winning five-seater sedan, a fun car with a reputation for durability, reliability, comfort and fuel efficiency.

With safety features which include stability control, traction control, and multiple airbags, the all new KIA Rio 2023 is an excellent choice for customers who prioritize dependability in vehicle options,” it stated.

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