The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Best Car to Buy in Nigeria [Easy Maintenance and Low Fuel Consumption]

    If circumstances make you ponder over the best car to buy in Nigeria, here is a chance to shame it. At 21, I was obsessed about owning a car and thus, worried about the best car to buy in Nigeria. Today, I’m glad I didn’t die of obsession, but I’m excessively grateful for the experience! You must be wondering how, right or wrong? Well, I don’t read minds, but I sense thoughts.

    Carmart.ng which is Nigeria’s biggest car selling and buying platform brings you a complete review of the type of car to buy in Nigeria if you are looking to minimize fuel and pay low in maintenance.

    This being the case, however, buying a car in Nigeria isn’t at all the problem! The problem is the presence of the question: ‘What is the best car to buy in Nigeria?’ This problem is what I intend to fix with this article though. At least, you’ll find out that dreaming of a Bentley or Lambo is absurd.

    I will suggest cars that will bravely face a typical Nigerian road no matter the corner to steer into. Also, these cars will so much please you with their level of fuel consumption and easy maintenance.

    Don’t linger behind so that you’ll know the best car to buy in Nigeria for yourself or your loved one. No logic meant it’s all about the fact.

    What Sort of Cars Does Nigerians Really Have in Mind?

    If you ask a typical Nigerian for the best car to buy in Nigeria, you won’t like the responses. In fact, their response will discourage you from ever planning to buy a car in Nigeria. For instance, when my obsession was high, I asked around for the best car to buy in Nigeria, guess what? They advised me to get cars like Peugeot 504 or better still, opt for 90s Honda! Phew! They are too old!

    Would you blame their suggestions? The suggested cars may be economic in fuel consumption coupled with easy maintenance, but very old (outdated). I know quite well that you wouldn’t love to buy or acquire any old model car with your money. This is the reason I went extra-deep, as a car dealer, to pick out the best car to buy in Nigeria.

     

    Best Car to Buy in Nigeria and Enjoy Low Fuel Consumption and Easy Maintenance

    As promised, once you’re done with this section, you’ll no longer worry about the best car to buy in Nigeria. The cars I have on this list have been tested and trusted. To further add to this, I have been to showrooms and the car stands to make my suggestions concrete. The questions I asked and answered in the course of this finding are:

    • How easy it is to maintain the car.
    • Low fuel consumption support.
    • The pocket-friendliness of the car.
    • Durability
    • Ability to drive and last on Nigerian roads etc.

     

    These were very easy for me to do due to my insight knowledge on the best car to buy in Nigeria. Also aiding me was my car dealing intelligence, especially on Nigerian cars. We should now proceed on to highlighting the best car to buy in Nigeria in the order of their importance.

     

    Honda CR-V

    The Honda CR-V is a specifically reliable and unique car to own in Nigeria. I see this car as an all-weather Nigerian type of car. In fact, I’m convinced that this car is produced primarily for the environment and the financial standards of Nigeria. If you plan on getting a solid ride, consider Honda CR-V, a mini-cruiser that offers an SUV experience. How about its maintenance condition, is it at all favorable? Trust me, it is. My elderly uncle owns it as one of his lovely rides. Surprisingly, he tends to be most interested in this car! Could it be that it’s beautiful or that it is fast? Can you guess? Oh well, you might not guess well enough. The reason, according to him, is that the economy level of the car is top-notch. Little wonder why he prefers to roll around most often with it. I also enquired from the car stand and they so well confirmed this.

     

    Toyota Camry (The Princess Nigerian Vehicle)

    This car model is already a household name in Nigeria. Do you ever wonder why this is so? Before I proceed, I’d love to inform you of the high level of theft recorded on this brand of vehicle. This comes from experience and reports. One of the commonest ways of stealing the Toyota Camry, especially the tiny light is the use of special keys. However, this can be averted by simply being conscious of the environment you drive through or park your car.

    To the subject of discussion, Camry boasts of low fuel consumption and very easy to maintain. Also, the car parts are readily available around Nigeria at cheaper rates compared to certain brands.

     

    Toyota Corolla Sport 2006 Model

    During my findings, the Corolla model of Toyota is what I lastly questioned on. Even at that, I am certain that it merits the third spot in this article.

    It would have been better if Toyota named this car with something like ‘Toyota Corolla Fuel Efficient’, seriously. Apart from the Inquisition I’ve made in this car, I’ve also been opportune to house it for a week – the 2006 model. Being that I’m ‘fuel-conscious’, I closely studied how this baby four-wheeler consumed fuel. It’s satisfactory, I must say because spending on fuel isn’t part of the Toyota Corolla dictionary. I highly recommend this car as the best car to buy in Nigeria on economic grounds.

     

    RAV4

    Nothing as lovely as its rounded and sporty design.

    Fuel usage – 85%

    Handling – Decent

    Maintenance – Easy level (Depends on the car owner)

    Spare parts availability – Decent

    With the little spec up here, believe me, RAV4 is what you need. This is a mini-SUV that I’ve not experienced before. But I can attest to its utility-friendly nature that you ought to buy and own it as a car in Nigeria.

     

    The Acura MDX

    Lest I forget, the Acura MDX merited my list out of its sleekness, despite being a mini SUV! In some states of Nigeria like Akwa Ibom and Calabar, a working-class citizen pictures this car as the smartest deal. What is a car would you not find here, luxurious design but affordable? Is it a question on the low fuel consumption that we’re dwelling on? Maintenance?

     

    The Streamlined Honda Accord

    Another car to buy is this beast – the classy Honda Accord. I assessed the 2001 Honda Accord DX and the 2006 model. There was a slight difference in fuel consumption and I noticed that the later model is more optimized in the fuel category.

    Apart from the fuel aspect, the sleekness of the Honda Accord DX 2001 is what you’d want to acquire.

    The 2005 Honda Accord boasts of streamlined body design. It isn’t an SUV but man, the interior design is much favorable on the condition of maintenance. A couple of times, I’ve had conversations with the owners of this car model. The basis of my questions was on:

    • How fast does it consume fuel?
    • What do you spend annually on maintenance?

    The answers that came from the two Honda Accord owners were interesting. It is thus, the reason why I include it on my list. What I really focused on here is the maintenance ability. And yes, I must say that it’s satisfactory. On the basis of our subject, I recommend the Honda Accord on the classifications of low fuel consumption and maintenance.

     

    Why these Cars Make a Good Deal

    The cars on this list are no doubt the smartest deal you can sign up for. Do you still want me to give you reasons why these cars make a good deal? I can sense you doing ‘hmmm’. It’s okay, I’ll do anything to ease your desire.

    First, the listed cars did not just come to be on this list. Each of them has a list of questions and answers that accompany it. It is after answering the questions that I pick the best. Here are why these cars make a good deal!

    • The fuel consumption is minimal.
    • You do not have to be an expert before maintaining the car. In fact, owning this sort of car teaches you how to become a mechanical engineer. How? Finding and fixing problems on the car is as cheap as, name it.
    • Road friendliness is a high level.
    • User-friendliness.
    • Finally, the cost is certainly something you can plan for at convenience.

    Best Place to Buy These Car in Nigeria

    So you are pretty confused where you can get quality cars and be able to enjoy the car before they start giving you issues.

    At Carmart.ng, we make sure that all sellers have their cars inspected before uploading to our platform. This is to make sure that our buyers don’t buy cars that aren’t roadworthy.

    Also, the cars are screened to make sure that the issue of buying stolen cars don’t suffice on the platform.

    For more details on how to buy a car or sell a car in Nigeria, please click this link (how to buy a car on Carmart.ng)

  • Police arrest 15 suspected criminals, recover guns, ammunition in Enugu

    The Police Command in Enugu State has arrested 15 suspected criminals for their alleged involvement in various crimes in the state and across the country.

    The Command also within three weeks recovered four locally-made guns, four live cartridges, 13 handsets, three vehicles, one tricycle and an English Sword from suspects.

    Presenting the suspects in Enugu on Tuesday to newsmen, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Ahmad Abdurrahman, said arrest of the suspects followed intelligence information and collaboration with other security agencies.

    Abdurrahman noted that the command made the arrest within three weeks in various locations within and outside the state.

    He said that within the period under review, the command through painstaking intelligence was able to bust a 7-man armed robbery gang network in the country.

    Read Also: Cultism: Police arrest cultist for murder of final year student

    “This group, whose members were arrested in Lagos, Port Harcourt, FCT, Aba and Enugu, has been terrorising and snatching vehicles all along within the state and move them to other parts of the country for sales.

    “The Command through its intelligence operatives and the Independence Layout Police Division travelled to most parts of the country to round-up this well networked criminal group.

    “The items recovered from the suspects included; a Toyota Corolla; a Toyota Spider Camry Car, one Honda Odessey, one locally-made pistol and one English Sword,’’ he said.

    The commissioner said that three suspects were also arrested for conspiracy and armed robbery as well as disturbing the peace of Umuebi community in Udi Local Government Area.

    Abdurrahman said that police operatives also arrested one Pastor Chukwuemeka Ezeh, for alleged murder of his girl-friend and church-member within the Railway axis of Enugu metropolis.

    He noted that Ezeh allegedly murdered the girl and carted away all her belongings and a cash of N2 million.

    “The command also arrested a 75-year-old man, one Boniface Onoja, for allegedly defiling an 11-year-old girl within the premises of Community Secondary School, Ogbunite in Igboeze North Local Government Area,’’ he said.

    The commissioner, however, solicited for the cooperation of residents by promptly reporting suspicious persons and objects within their neighbourhoods to the nearest police station. (NAN)

  • Independence: Tinubu urges commitment to national purpose

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Sen. Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, urged Nigerians to remain committed to the national purpose to strengthen the country’s institutions.

    Tinubu, in a message issued in Lagos by his Media Officer, Mr Tunde Rahman, on the occasion of the country’s 59th independence anniversary, said that Nigeria had marked great progress in spite of its challenges.

    “Today, we are celebrate the 59th birthday of our beloved nation. We stand today with our feet planted firmly in the present, but with our gaze both on the past and towards our future.

    “Looking back at the last 59 years, we have faced steep challenges, yet, we have marked great progress.

    “What we have overcome in the past gives us the confidence and courage to believe that we can achieve even more as we cast our eyes on the future.

    “As Nigerians, let us recommit our energies to building a better Nigeria and rededicating ourselves to the vision of our nationalists who saw greatness in this country and worked assiduously to advance it.

    “I ask you all to remain committed to our highest national purpose so that we may continue to strengthen our national institutions and our very country,” he said.

    Tinubu described Nigerians as resilient, strong and industrious people, who decided to join hands together with a common purpose of enjoying a democratic, prosperous and just existence.

    “The journey to our greater destiny has begun and I enjoin you all to support one another and President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in this journey.

    “I congratulate all Nigerians on this 59th independence anniversary and urge you all to come along in the march to the next level,” the former Lagos State governor said. (NAN)

  • NAF gets first female Air Warrant Officer (AWO)

    The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, has approved the promotion of Master Warrant Officer (MWO), Grace Garba to the exalted rank of Air Warrant Officer (AWO).

    NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, announced this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He said with the promotion, MWO Garba becomes the first female Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (SNCO) to be promoted to the highest rank in the Non-Commissioned Officers’ cadre in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

    ”The promotion demonstrates the commitment of the current NAF leadership in paying adequate attention to the empowerment of female personnel to  realise their full potentials,” he said.

    Daramola recalled that one of the NAF’s female officers was sent to the United States of America for training to become the first female fighter pilot in the history of the NAF.

    ”Similarly, for the first time in NAF history, another female pilot is on the verge of completing training to become the first female helicopter pilot in the Service.

    Read Also: NAF bags international PR award for crisis management

    ”It is expected that the promotion of MWO Garba to AWO would serve as a motivation and spur other airwomen in the Service to strive for excellence and aspire for such rare elevation,” he said.

    Born on Feb. 14, 1966 in Garkida,  Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State, MWO  Garba joined the NAF in 1986 as a member of Basic Military Training Course (BMTC) 10.

    She holds a Certificate in Nursing from School of Nursing, Maiduguri, Certificate in Midwifery from Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria Kaduna State.

    The officer holds a Certificate in Public Health Nursing from School of Health Technology, Kaduna and Advanced Diploma in Public Administration at the Federal University of Technology, Yola.

    She is currently the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of the NAF School of Medical Sciences and Aviation Medicine (NAFSMSAM), Kaduna.

    She will be decorated with the new rank on Oct. 15

    (NAN)

  • We didn’t arrest Chido Onumah, says DSS

    Department of State Services (DSS) has said it did not arrest Dr Chido Onumah in Abuja on Sunday evening.

    A statement in Abuja by its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Dr Peter Afunaya, said DSS officers only interacted with Onumah when they observed that he had allegedly committed an act that could undermine public order and national security.

    It reads: “The DSS wishes to make clarifications regarding reports that Dr Chido Onumah was arrested by the service. To set the records right, Onumah was never arrested by the service. He was rather engaged in an interaction during which an act of his (that was) capable of undermining public order and national security was explained to him.

    “On his arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on September 29, 2019, it was discovered that Onumah wore a T-shirt with “WE ARE ALL BIAFRANS” inscription on it. With credible intelligence that he might be a subject of mob attack, if allowed to go into town in same cloth, the service invited him and drew his attention to the implications of his probable (un)intended action.

    “It was strongly believed that an attack on Onumah would have sparked ethno-religious reprisals with dire consequences for law and order and public safety in the country. He understood the issues and pledged not to engage in activities that may cause disaffection in Abuja and the country at large. He subsequently removed the cloth with the inciting symbols and inscriptions and agreed not to use it.

    “The interaction between Onumah and the service held in a convivial atmosphere. He appreciated the courtesies extended to him. Afterwards, the service arranged for him to go back to his accommodation in town.

    “It is hoped that this clarification has dispelled the erroneous claims and reportage that he was arrested. The service acted within the confines of its mandate and only carried out its routine security duty that could have been discharged by a similar agency in any part of the world.”

    It is not out of place for concerned security agencies to have sought clarification from a traveller concerning a subject of security interest.

    “The DSS reaffirms its avowed commitment to the rule of law and protection of citizens and national critical assets.”

  • Native doctor, five ‘robbers’ held in Imo

    Police have arrested a native doctor and five robbery suspects in different locations in Imo State. Two of the suspects sustained serious injuries during a gunfire exchange with police.

    Parading the suspects at the Command headquarters Thursday,  Commissioner of Police Rabiu Ladodo gave the names of the suspects as Ikenna Eze, aka Fela, 23, Chukwudi Ezeala aka Infinity, 33, John Ogubuike, 23, Harrison Okoroafor aka Doctor, 21, Abdul Ahmed, 41, and Eze Emeka, 33.

    He said Ogubuike, an alleged notorious armed robber, who had been terrorising Ideato North and South councils of Imo State was arrested on September 4th, 2019 at about 2 pm at Rock View area Owerri, Imo State, by SARS operatives led by ASP Banjoko Oluwemimo.

    Ladodo said the suspect confessed to the crime and took operatives to Isiala Mbano on September 4th,  2019 at about 4.30 pm where one Harrison Okoroafor aka doctor was arrested, adding that Harrison Okoroafor confessed to the crime that they all belong to a five-man armed robbery syndicate.

    “On 11 September 2019 at about 8.30 pm the arrested suspect John Ogubuike took the operatives to their criminal hideout at Anara in Isiala Mbano L.G.A of Imo State, where the leader of the gang Ikenna Eze aka Fela and Chkwudi Ezeala aka Infinity were arrested.

    Read Also: Native doctor jailed 21 years for raping, impregnating daughter

    The police commissioner said during the arrest there was the exchange of gunfire and in the process, Ikenna Eze aka Fela and Chukwudi Ezeala aka Infinity sustained gunshot injuries on their legs. According to the CP, they were later rushed to hospitals for treatment.

    “They further took police operatives to Lumpata Gariki Market along Abia Okigwe Expressway Abia State, where one Abdul Ahmed was arrested on 18 September, 2019 while  Abdul Ahmed, in turn, took operatives to North Bank Area of Makurdi in Benue State, where the robbed Toyota Spider 2017 model saloon car black in color was recovered.

    “On 20 September 2019 at about 8 30 pm, one of the arrested notorious armed robbers Chukwudi Ezeala aka Infinity took police to Igbele Enugu Ezike in Igbueze North L.G.A of Enugu State, where one Eze Emeka a native doctor was arrested.”

    The police boss said immediate search was conducted in the native doctor’s shrine which led to the recovery of the gang’s weapons: one double-barrel gun cut to size; one locally made single barrel gun, one live cartridge and one expended cartridge.

    Eze Emeka confessed to the crime, stating that he bought the guns from Chukwudi Ezeala aka Infinity.

    On 23 September, 2019 the arrested suspects Ikenna Eze and Chukwudi Ezeala aka Infinity further took operatives to Anara in Isiala Mbano L.G.A of Imo State, where one robbed Toyota sienna bus color blue was recovered in a Mechanic workshop. The recovered Toyota Spider saloon car was robbed on 6 August 2019 at about 8.30 pm from the owner one Mbah Romanus along Umueshi Dikenafai Road Ideato South L.G.A of Imo State on gunpoint.

  • My husband wants to use me for ritual,’ policewoman tells court

    A customary court in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has dissolved a marriage after listening to the plea of a policewoman who accused her husband of planning to use her for money ritual.

    Sgt. Wuraola Babalola petitioned a Mapo Customary Court in the city, seeking the dissolution of her marriage of 14 years to Oladimeji.

    The petitioner alleged that Oladimeji used different kinds of charms whenever he wanted to sleep with her, News Agency of Nigeria reports.

    She also said Oladimeji has turned her into his punching bag.

    “At any slightest opportunity, he strips me and prevents my relatives from seeing me. He puts charms in my private part whenever he wants to sleep with me. He also surrounds my plate of food with charms, saying he uses it to protect me.

    Read Also: Seven held for ‘kidnapping’ in Adamawa

    “He has also buried different kinds of charms in the house chanting my name. My first child saw him do that. I have evidence of all the charms and how he maltreats me on my cell phone.” Oladimeji was not in court to answer to the allegations.

    The bailiff informed the court that he had on several occasions served hearing notices on Oladimeji, who lives in Oluyole Estate in Ibadan.

    After listening to the testimony of the petitioner, Chief Ademola Odunade, the President of the court, dissolved the marriage, on grounds of threat to life.

    He granted custody of the three children to the petitioner and ordered the respondent to pay N15,000 as the monthly feeding allowance.

    The arbitrator ordered the clerk of the court to ensure that a copy of the judgment is sent to Oladimeji.

  • Five held for real estate ‘scam’

    Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) have arrested five men suspected to be real estate scammers.

    They were nabbed at the point of exchange of money and keys while trying to lease out someone else’s duplex in Lekki Phase II to a house seeker for N4.5 million

    Abolade Oladimeji, 43, Ademola Ayo, 45, Emmanuel Fabiyi, 65, Hakeem Ademola, 49, and Sunday Ayodele, 52, advertised the property on an online platform (jiji.com).

    Leader of the gang, Ademola said he had been using his knowledge of computer to post for sale and lease non-existing landed property, apartments and buildings on various websites. He added that they lure unsuspecting public with attractive prices.

    Ademola said in early September, he posted a vacancy of a four-bedroom duplex in Lekki Phase II which attracted so many people amongst whom was one Obi.

    RRS quoted him as saying: “Immediately he called me through the contact on the advertisement, I knew he was genuine. I mobilised my colleagues and allocated roles to each of them to make the deal seamless. Oladimeji conducted himself as the estate lawyer. He discussed at length with our client on the legal angle as well as visitation before payment. “Ayo was in charge of taking the client on house or land inspection. Fabiyi played the role of a principal-agent and sometimes acted as site engineer while Ayodele assisted Fabiyi to make him look like a big man who is well-groomed and seasoned in the business.

    Read Also: Alleged $8.4m, N4b fraud: Court insists Pinnick, others must appear

    “After the inspection, Obi requested to pay us with a cheque. Initially, we rejected as our mode of payment is through bank transfer. This is to avoid too much contact as we have dedicated account owners who connive with various teams of fraud syndicates that receive deposits into their accounts and collect 30 per cent of the proceed. After much deliberation on the mode of payment, we agreed to collect the cheque.”

    According to RRS, Obi suspected something was fishy.

    “He did a little research which took him to the real landlord of the estate. Together, they played along with the fraudsters while a police team was briefed on the development,” police said.

    A decoy team of the RRS ambushed the fraudsters and arrested the five of them at the various positions at the venue of cheque collection.

    Fabiyi, popularly called Baba said: “my age has been so instrumental in the various scams we have perpetrated. Unsuspecting victims get convinced that a man of my age wouldn’t be a scammer. This makes them want to do business with us and part with their hard-earned money for land purchases, rent or lease of properties.”

    Baba said the police made them repay N3.2 million in one of their recent scams.

    He added that the gang had been involved in many successful property scams both in Lagos and Ogun State.

    While pleading never to return to the business if allowed to go, he stated that his family had warned him not to get involved in any fraudulent deals again.

    He lamented being a disgrace to his wife and children as a father.

    “I am a shame to my family as an elder in the church and a grandpa. My children warned me to desist from fraud after I was arrested last year but I didn’t listen to them,” he said.

    Commissioner of Police (CP) Zubairu Muazu advised Lagosians to be more careful while dealing with estate/property agents and always request to see the owner of the property, and also verify the identity before parting with their hard-earned money.

  • ‘Cultists’ arrested for ‘murder’

    The police in Lagos have arrested two suspected members of the Eiye, Aiye cult groups for alleged murder and attempted murder in Bariga in the metropolis.

    Babatunde Fadairo, 22, an alleged Eiye leader, was said to have led five other alleged members of his group to stone an Aiye kingpin Ahmed Sauls, 32, to death on September 26.

    The incident occurred at New Garage in Oworonshoki around 5:15am, police said.

    Read Also: Cultism: Police arrest cultist for murder of final year student

    Also, Osonye Henrise, an alleged Aiye leader, was arrested around midnight of September 25 in Bariga for attempted murder of one Bosiga, an Eiye member.

    He was said to have made moves to kill his arch rival at Araromi Street following the murder of his leader Adekunle Adesanya alias ‘I don tey’ the previous day at Edo Evans Street.

    Police said investigation was on and the suspects would be charged to court.

  • NITT can design made-in-Nigeria vehicles, says Amaechi

    Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi has said the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) in Zaria, Kaduna State, has the capacity to design “made-in-Nigeria” vehicles.

    A statement yesterday in Zaria by is Director of Public Affairs, Mr Paul Mshelizah, which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said the minister spoke this during a familiarisation and facility tour of the institute.

    It was during the repositioning retreat organised by the institute.

    Amaechi said: “NITT has all it takes to design a car. I am sure the institute could convince the Federal Government that it has what it takes to design a made-in-Nigeria car.

    “From design, to engine to body, then funding will not be an issue. We can create patency for NITT.”

    The minister expressed satisfaction with the facilities but advised its management to ensure proper use and adequate maintenance of the equipment.

    Amaechi also advised the NTT to seek accreditation from National Universities Commission (NUC) to run certain diploma programmes toward metamorphosing into a full-fledged university of transport and logistics.

    The minister pledged the ministry’s support to create more faculties in the institute.

    He called for a holistic perusal of the institute’s enabling law to know the scope of its mandate.

    At its biodiesel laboratory, Amaechi urged the institute to expand the project aimed at producing made-in-Nigeria vehicles by establishing a feedstock farm for renewable energy.

    He told NITT to factor into the 2021 budget the acquisition of about “200 hectares of land” to start the project.

    The minister suggested that in subsequent budgets, personnel and other logistics for effective operation of the feedstock farm might be captured.

    Read Also: Innoson: we enjoy huge patronage from Fed govt

    This, he said, can attract private investors to cue into the project.

    Interacting with NITT N-Power automobile participants, the minister admonished them to be disciplined in everything they do.

    Amaechi assured them of Federal Government’s commitment towards the success of the N-Power scheme, adding: “President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is interested in lifting people out of poverty.

    “As potential entrepreneurs, you can create jobs by training a number of people in your workshop.

    “I, therefore, enjoin you to utilise optimally the skills acquired through the scheme for personal gain as well as for the country at large.”

    Speaking on behalf of the NITT N-Power participants, Mr Abdulazeez Owoseni-Salihu hailed the social investment programme of the present administration, especially the N-Power scheme.

    Owoseni-Salihu noted that the scheme had not only empowered the beneficiaries but also changed their mind-sets toward self-sufficiency.

    He appealed to the Federal Government to “kindly” provide N-Power graduates with “contemporary machines to enable them go into the field to practice the skills acquired”.

    Amaechi, who answered reporters’ questions at the end of the facility tour, said: “I am satisfied with the facilities. All they need is just governance.

    “In terms of equipment, they are doing well. But as professionals, they must put the equipment to use.

    “The Federal Government will ensure that areas where you have infrastructure are properly funded.

    “But you need to show that you are not only able to transfer knowledge but also able to supervise the trainees so that we can create employment.”

    NITT’s Acting Director-General, Dr Bayero Salih-Farah, explained that the institute was accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to run Diploma and Advanced Diploma programmes.

    He said NITT had entered into affiliation with Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, to run postgraduate and Master’s degree programmes.

    The acting director-general thanked the minister for not only attending the event personally but also visiting the institute’s headquarters in Zaria.

    NAN reports that the facilities inspected included the new office of the director-general, main auditorium and the state-of-the-art facilities at the Transport Technology Centre (TTC) among others.