From Cyriacus Nnaji, Lagos
His Royal Highness (Barr) Mohammed Sanni Haliru Dantoro, Kitoro IV. (Mai Borgu), The Emir of Borgu Kingdom, has stated that the Lagos Motor Show is part of history.
Dantoro was speaking at the two-day maiden edition of the Lagos Motor Show which took place at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Lagos State, Nigeria, between February 16 and 17, 2024.
The highly revered traditional ruler who was the patron of the Lagos Motor Show, aside commending the initiative of the organisers of the Show took time to inspect the vehicles on display especially those models before and after 1960, saying that they are part of the nation’s history.
He also could not hide his admiration for some of the cars on display especially the electric cars. He asserted that they were able to see those cars on display because the LMS made it possible “The electric cars that we see in other countries, we are now seeing them coming into our country, which is a blessing to us,” Mai Borgu stated.
He further harped on the historical significance of the LMS as majority of the cars on display have not been seen by the younger generation.
He said “Most of the cars we are seen here in this Lagos Motor Show are part of history because most people have not seen these cars before now.
“A society without history is no society,” Mai Borgu disclosed.
The Royal Father who commended Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman and Chief Promoter of LMS, appealed to Nigerians whom he acknowledged to be passing through a critical time to exercise patience even though he said nothing happens without the knowledge of the almighty Allah.
The Emir of Borgu Kingdom further appealed to Nigerians to pray for their leaders for God to direct their decisions, while on the other hand, he called on the Nigerian leaders to make a place in their conscience to feel the pains and sufferings of Nigerians and do something drastic in order to put smiles on their faces again.
Dantoro also said that as a way to protect the sanctity of the traditional institution, government should not employ the traditional institution as a campaign tool. He also said the traditional institution should offer encouragement to those in governance especially at this critical time of the nation’s history “In terms of economy the traditional institution is key and ought to be supportive of the government and representative of the people.”
Mai Borgu advocated that the youth should be at the vanguard of nation building and encouraged the government at all levels to assign responsibilities to the Nigerian youths.
Chairman/CEO Saglev, Mr Sam Olugbenga Faleye spoke on the uniqueness of electric vehicles. While speaking he said that there are electric vehicles that can go five to six hours after recharging, he also disclosed that most of the cars are also coming with artificial intelligence(AI).
The CEO disclosed that part of the advantages of electric vehicles is that they don’t need massive engines, he stated that plans are on the way to assemble about eight models of such cars at Ikorodu even though the staff to man such car assembly are still undergoing training.
Saglev, while pointing out the the near indispensability of Nigeria automobile industry stated that the future of electric vehicles in Africa cannot be complete without passing through Nigeria.
Earlier in his address, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman and Chief Promoter of the Lagos Motor Show, posited that the event was an exhibition of new innovation and developments in the auto Industry, from cars before Nigeria’s independence and after the independence.
He added that his passion for motoring as well as writing has snowballed into the Lagos Motor Show that has also exhibited Internet of Things (IoT) in automobiles, energy efficient cars, Electric Vehicles and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered low emission vehicles.
He said that the Show would be an annual event and that part of the proceeds from the event and activities would be donated to charitable causes.
Some of the companies and exhibitors at the Show include Toyota by CFAO Toyota, L-Solutions (Toyota, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Mercedes Benz, E-Mobility) Automobiles.
Other exhibitors includes Suzuki by CFAO Suzuki, Sano by CFAO SANO Trucks, LEXUS – Brass Motors (Mercedes Benz, Lexus, Toyota) Luxury Automobile, BRASS – Marine and Yatch Services Marine services, WORK AND PLAY -Motor Sports Motor Sports Adventure Sports, JETOR by Elizade JETOR, JAC by Elizade JETOR, Services Machinery Trucks (STM)- Volvo VOLVO Trucks, among others.
