Business
Rotary Club of Omole Golden installs Alih new president
By Dada Jackson
It was an atmosphere of goodwill and funfare at the 17th installation of the president and induction of board members of the Rotary Club of Omole Golden in Lagos.
The ceremony witnessed the installation of Rotarian Alih Hassan Ogwu as the 17th President of the Club for 2020/2021, taking over the leadership from Rotarian Babajinmi Ajibola.
Allih who is a multiple Paul Harris fellow and a recipient of the Rotary Youth Leadership Award joined the Omole Rotary Club in 2014 and has served the club in various capacities including the Vice President in 2017/2018 Rotary year.
As a Corporate Member of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) and a registered builder with Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON), Rotarian Alih is currently the Managing Director of Blarkcave Nigeria Limited, a Building and Civil Engineering Company in Lagos.
In his acceptance speech, the new President acknowledged the share dedication and commitment of past Presidents of the club, stating that their labour for humanity will remain memorial.
“The Presidency of our club has passed through the hands of men and women who through dedication and selflessness have kept the club alive. Without them there will be no Omole Golden”, he said.
He said though the year has thrown at human race an unprecedented challenge, Rotary is proud of the feat achieved so far and as people of action and volunteers they will do more to bridge the gap between all the negative things that tend to retard human progress.
While maintaining that the club will continue to build on the foundation laid by its leaders, the President revealed that within the Rotary year, the club has executed several projects in line with the Club’s 6 focus areas some of which were carried out with international partners in conjunction with Rotary 9110.
According to him, one of the projects that is dear to the heart of Rotary Club of Omole is the completion of neonatal clinic at Ifako Ijaiye General Hospital because it has to do with giving people the opportunity to live again. Our commitment with international partners through the global grant to ensure high-tech modern equipment are provided for the centre will give premature babies the opportunity to survive.
“We want to do more on water sanitation, we want to do more on in economic development and empowerment of our people, we want to do more in basic education and literacy, we want to do more on maternal and child health, we want to do more on in peace and conflict prevention, we want to do more in all areas of rotary focus”, Rotarian Alih disclosed.
Speaking on the theme of the year “Rotary opening doors of opportunities”, Rotarian Alih explained that the theme means an opportunity for Rotarians to step up humanitarian works by scanning through the needs of communities and in little ways offer a helping hand to bring relief to most of their needs.
“To those that need our help, the theme will mean different thing based on their need. To parent of a premature baby, it will be an open door to survival and to those who need portable drinking water, it will be an opportunity for a running tap in their community. I hereby call on men and women of high integrity and humanitarian spirit to join the Club”, he stated.
Earlier in his address, the Outgoing President of Rotary Club of Omole Golden, Rotarian Babajinmi Ajibola explained that the club has been able to connect the world in spite of the numerous challenges that faces humanity in recent times.
He pointed out that some of the significant project which the Club were able to execute in the past year include the donation of ICT lab at Ojodu Grammar School, donation of water borehole to Yakoyo Community, donation of a phototherapy machine along with incubator to Ifako Ijaiye General Hospital, peace and conflict resolution in partner with Area F Police Command and Micro Credit empowerment for 15 persons.
“Having connected the world in our year, let me specially welcome you all to the a new dawn of “Rotary Opens Opportunities” as we continue to support our philanthropic mission”, he stated.
The Chairman of the occasion, the Executive Director, Business Development and Operations, Global Accelerex Ltd, Mr. Olukayode Ariyo described the theme of the year as a symbolism of the present reality of the new normal.
According to him, this theme strengthens the ideals of the noble organisation by creating opportunities for a better world and uplifting the hope of the common people in the society.
“We must continue to use our strength for global support in creating changes needed in our community. fighting diseases, projecting peace and conflict resolution, improving education and literacy and above all, building bridges for socio-economic development.
The Executive Secretary, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Mrs. Teju Abisoye who spoke on the recovery programmes of the Lagos State Government for SMEs affirmed that government has activated a bouquet of recovery program to cushion the effect of the pandemic on SMEs across the State.
While highlighting several collaborative efforts which Government has instituted to support SMEs in order to survive the climate, the Executive Secretary revealed that the SMEs are a critical engine for the State economy and the recovery process entails providing access to affordable finance at a single-digit interest rate, enhancing capacity building, fostering market linkages and leveraging business expansion opportunities for SMEs.
“Our economic responses to the COVID-19 pandemic have included an array of measures to help people and businesses. The overreaching goal is to provide SMEs with critical support in the immediate term and offer them affordable access to financing”, she added.
Teju emphasised that business owners particularly SMEs should take advantage of these array of intervention programmes like the N5 billion post-COVID-19 economic recovery support for MSMEs, the LSETF W-Initiative, the five billion naira support fund for 2,000 low-cost private schools in the state, and visit the LSETF website to apply.
The occasion which witnessed the presentation of award to the General Manager, Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC), Engr. Olufemi Daramola for his outstanding and selfless contribution to the service of humanity, also saw the launching of the Club’s project and induction of new members to the club.
The occasion was graced by the District Governor, represented by his Assistant, Mr. Okechukwu Uche-Ukah, Past Presidents of the Club and Rotarians across District 9110.
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Auto
Carloha Opens Wider Access to Chery Q as Smart EV Enters Nigeria’s Mainstream
Carloha Opens Wider Access to Chery Q as Smart EV Enters Nigeria’s Mainstream
Carloha Nigeria is taking the Chery Q to motorists across the country, widening access to an electric vehicle designed to combine affordability, practicality, intelligent technology and zero-emission motoring.
The move by the official franchise holder, assembler and authorised distributor of Chery vehicles in Nigeria is expected to give more Nigerian motorists an opportunity to experience the Chinese automaker’s latest generation of smart electric mobility.
Built around Chery’s global “Quest for Joy” philosophy, the Chery Q blends distinctive styling with intelligent technology, advanced safety features and efficient electric performance, while drawing inspiration from the heritage of the iconic Chery QQ family.
Carloha said the model is targeted at a broad spectrum of motorists, including young professionals, growing families, first-time electric vehicle buyers and urban commuters looking for a cleaner, smarter and more connected driving experience.
The Chery Q also brings a strong design proposition to the compact EV segment. Its award-winning exterior, recognised with both the Red Dot Design Award and iF Design Award, features expressive geometric styling, rounded LED lighting and a contemporary two-tone interior.
Despite its compact dimensions, the vehicle has been engineered to maximise interior space, achieving an 85 per cent space-efficiency ratio.
Measuring 4,195mm in length with a 2,700mm wheelbase, the Chery Q offers substantial passenger room while retaining the manoeuvrability expected of an urban vehicle.
Its practicality is further enhanced by luggage capacity that expands from 375 litres to 1,450 litres, alongside a 70-litre front trunk and 38 smart storage compartments.
According to the company, the combination makes the Chery Q suitable for a wide range of everyday applications, from city commuting and shopping to family outings and weekend journeys.
Beyond its styling and practicality, the electric vehicle has been developed around a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive architecture, supported by independent suspension and balanced weight distribution to enhance handling and stability.
The model also features Electric Power Steering and a One-Box Brake-by-Wire system designed to provide smoother braking response, improved driving precision and greater control, while supporting regenerative energy recovery.
A key attraction for potential EV buyers is the Chery Q’s claimed driving range. The vehicle offers an estimated 420-kilometre NEDC range, giving users greater flexibility for daily commuting and longer journeys between charging sessions.
Charging downtime is also reduced through its fast-charging capability, with the battery able to move from 30 per cent to 80 per cent in about 16.5 minutes, according to the manufacturer.
With the nationwide rollout, Carloha is positioning the Chery Q as part of the growing transition towards cleaner and smarter mobility in Nigeria, as interest in electric vehicles continues to expand.
The company’s wider strategy of assembling and distributing Chery vehicles locally also places the Q within its broader effort to make the brand’s technology and vehicle range more accessible to Nigerian motorists.
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Business
NNPCL Slashes Petrol Pump Price to N1,405 in Abuja, Dangote Refinery Cuts Gantry Rate
NNPCL Slashes Petrol Pump Price to N1,405 in Abuja, Dangote Refinery Cuts Gantry Rate
Abuja — The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has announced a reduction in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, at its retail outlets in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
A market survey conducted on Sunday revealed that NNPCL filling stations in key areas such as Gwarimpa and Kubwa have adjusted their prices downward to N1,405 per litre, a reduction from the previous rate of N1,430 per litre.
However, the survey indicated a slight variation in pricing across different NNPCL outlets within the capital city. While the Gwarimpa and Kubwa stations are selling at N1,405, other outlets located along the Kubwa Expressway, Air Junction, as well as those in Wuse Zones 4 and 5, are offering the product at a lower rate of N1,395 per litre.
The latest price adjustment by the national oil company follows a significant reduction in the gantry price of petrol by the Dangote Refinery. Reports indicate that the refinery recently slashed its gantry price by N25, bringing the rate down to N1,325 per litre.
The reduction in pump prices is expected to bring slight relief to motorists and commuters in Abuja, who have had to grapple with high transportation costs fueled by elevated fuel prices in recent months.
Industry observers note that the ongoing price adjustments reflect the dynamics of the deregulated downstream sector, where market forces and refinery gate prices influence retail costs. It remains to be seen if other major marketers and independent oil marketers will follow suit with similar price reductions in the coming days.
Motorists in Abuja have welcomed the development, expressing hope that the downward trend in fuel prices will be sustained across the country and ultimately lead to a reduction in the overall cost of living.
NNPCL Slashes Petrol Pump Price to N1,405 in Abuja, Dangote Refinery Cuts Gantry Rate
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Railway
Rail-Port-Industry Link Critical to Cutting Logistics Costs – NRC
Rail-Port-Industry Link Critical to Cutting Logistics Costs – NRC
The Nigerian Railway Corporation has said Nigeria must urgently integrate its rail network with seaports, inland dry ports and industrial centres to cut logistics costs, ease pressure on the highways and make the movement of goods across the country more efficient.
The NRC said a seamless connection between rail lines, ports and major production centres would strengthen the movement of agricultural produce, containers, petroleum products and other bulk cargoes, while reducing the cost and time involved in transporting goods from ports to markets and industries.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa, stated this on Thursday in Lagos in a speech delivered on his behalf at the Transport Correspondents Association of Nigeria conference, stressing that rail, road, maritime, inland waterways and aviation must work as an integrated transportation system if Nigeria is to unlock the full economic benefits of its logistics sector.
The NRC boss also revealed that the corporation had opened the door wider for private investors to participate in the development of freight terminals, logistics hubs, rolling stock and other critical infrastructure as part of efforts to transform Nigeria’s rail system into a major engine of economic growth.
He said stronger private-sector participation was imperative because government alone could not provide the massive investment required to build an efficient and interconnected transportation system capable of lowering logistics costs and boosting economic activities.
Opeifa said Nigeria could no longer afford to develop its transportation modes in isolation, stressing the need to connect rail with seaports, inland dry ports, industrial centres and major economic corridors.
He said such integration would enable rail to play a greater role in moving bulk cargo across the country, while reducing the pressure currently placed on the highways.
According to him, rail has the capacity to move large volumes of passengers and freight over long distances and should therefore become a critical component of Nigeria’s logistics architecture.
He said, “At the Nigerian Railway Corporation, our focus is therefore not only on passenger transportation but also on strengthening freight operations and creating greater connectivity between rail lines, seaports, inland dry ports, industrial centres and major economic corridors.”
The NRC MD identified agricultural produce, petroleum products, containers and other commodities as some of the major categories of cargo that could benefit from a more efficient rail freight system.
He said an effective multimodal transportation network involving rail, road, maritime, inland waterways and aviation would reduce the cost of doing business, improve access to markets and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness.
Opeifa also called for a regulatory framework capable of attracting private capital into the transportation sector, particularly in rolling stock, freight terminals, logistics hubs and related infrastructure.
“The future of Nigeria’s transportation sector must also be driven by stronger partnerships. Government alone cannot provide all the infrastructure and investment required,” he said.
The NRC’s position comes amid growing concerns over the high cost of logistics and the burden placed on Nigerian businesses by inefficient movement of goods from ports to markets and production centres.
Opeifa said transportation infrastructure should be viewed not simply as public assets but as critical economic infrastructure capable of stimulating industrial production, trade and employment.
He, however, warned that vandalism and encroachment remained major threats to railway investments, stressing the need for stronger collaboration among government agencies, security organisations, host communities and passengers to protect railway tracks, bridges, signalling systems and other infrastructure.
He said the protection of rail infrastructure must become a collective responsibility if the country was to derive the full economic benefits of ongoing investments in the sector.
The NRC chief executive also stressed the need to make transportation affordable and accessible, noting that improved mobility would provide Nigerians with greater access to jobs, markets, education and economic opportunities.
Opeifa reaffirmed the NRC’s commitment to the Federal Government’s vision of developing a modern, integrated and efficient transportation system capable of supporting the country’s economic aspirations.
He commended TCAN for providing a platform for policymakers, operators, investors, professionals and the media to deliberate on the challenges and opportunities in Nigeria’s transportation sector.
He said sustained investment, innovation, collaboration and effective policy implementation remained essential to building a logistics system capable of unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential.

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