The Nation Newspaper

Tag: CAR

  • Ogunbote receives official car

    Ogunbote receives official car

     • Grateful to Giwa

    The owner of Giwa FC, Ambassador Chris Giwa has made good his promise to present the head coach of the Jos based club, Gbenga Ogunbote with an official car after he handed over the car keys of a Toyota Prado to the ex-3SC and Sunshine Stars’ boss.

    Giwa FC are presently in Ijebu Ode where they are putting finishing touches to their preparation for the new premier league season and Ogunbote revealed to SportingLife that he cruised in the car to Ijebu Ode for the pre season camping.

    Ogunbote thanked the proprietor of the club for keeping to his promise while adding that the gesture of Giwa would rub on positively on the club by the time the league season begins.

    The ex- Sharks boss has, however, charged all the old players of the team who are yet to return for the build up to the new season to do so without delay because he would be making up his mind on the players he would  need for the new season by weekend as serious training begins from Monday in Ijebu Ode.

    Ogunbote ,who told SportingLife that he has counselled his players on what is obtainable before the transfer of a player is deemed to be in order, revealed that players who are forcing their way out of the club without due process are doing their football career a big disservice.

    He noted that any player that wishes to leave ought to approach the management of the club to intimate the club of his decision to leave for another club and that it is then that the method through which both parties would benefit from the transfer would be struck.

    Ogunbote is, however, canvassing for a Nigerian league where clubs can set buyout clause on their players if they are still on contract and are willing to go before its expiration adding that a look into this by stakeholders in the elite division will put an end to the perennial transfer logjams.

  • Alibaba presents car, cash prizes to Spontaneity winners

    Alibaba presents car, cash prizes to Spontaneity winners

    Aderombi Adedayo, winner of Spontaneity, a talent show organised by ace Nigerian comedian Alibaba to encourage Nigerian comedians, has been presented with his prize, a brand new Kia Rio salon car.

    The presentation of the car to Adedayo who goes by the stage name Dee-One, took place on Tuesday afternoon at Alibaba’s office in Lekki, Lagos. Also, first runner-up, Emeakpore Ofajenue (Short Family), a Microbiology graduate of Delta State University, Abraka and second runner-up, Olayiwole Tolulope (Remote), a Mass Communication student of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Ojere, Ogun State both went home with N250, 000 and N200, 000 cash prizes respectively.

    The architecture graduate from the Covenant University, Ota had emerged winner at the finals of the competition which tested the ability of mostly up and coming comedians to create jokes on the spur of the moment. It held during Alibaba’s signature January 1 show at the Eko Hotel and Suites.

    “The show, Spontaneity came as a need to take the comedy industry to the next level,” said Alibaba who started doing professional stand-up comedy in Lagos since 1989.

    “The standards are being watered down. Comedians are repeating jokes, comedians are stealing jokes, comedians are going back to archives, picking people’s jokes and re-telling them, comedians are taking jokes from foreign comedians and re-telling them like Nigerian jokes.

    “To be sincere, stand-up comedy is a very difficult art form because when you tell the joke, if it is not very nice, you get immediate reaction. If you tell and they (audience) don’t laugh, that’s it. And we thought that the best way is to go by what we call the Holy Grail of stand-up comedy which is spontaneity. Spontaneity is the ability of the comedian to hold the microphone and be funny without thinking of any other thing. And I thought we needed to inculcate it in the art of the comedians.”

    Spontaneity is a quarterly event which sees 12 comedians slug it out with each other for the first three positions. The top three comedians from the four editions have a chance to compete at the grand finale which holds during Alibaba’s January 1 show.

     

  • New office, new car

    Why Senate President Bukola Saraki needs new cars to go with his new position needs to be explained to a sceptical public. In a statement on December 13, Senate spokesperson Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi said:  ”With respect to the official vehicles of the Senate president, it should be noted that the majority of the vehicles in his convoy are his personal vehicles, while some of the vehicles that he inherited, including his official vehicles and the backup car, are so old that they are developing fault and not fit for long journeys. We can recall that on several occasions, his official car broke down. Three instances will suffice here. I remember on a visit to Nasarawa State for a wedding of the daughter of a colleague. Other occasions were at the National Mosque three weeks ago and at the Abuja airport.”

    If Saraki’s official cars keep breaking down, as Abdullahi claimed, it raises the question whether the cars also performed poorly when they were being used by the former Senate president, Senator David Mark. If so, why did Mark not make changes? Or is it that the cars were good enough for Mark?

    Abdullahi continued: “The implication is that the vehicles in his official convoy are so old that they are causing embarrassment for the Senate. The media should know that a man of his antecedent will not at this point be excited with new cars. His official cars are overdue for replacement.”

    He also said of the move to buy new cars for the Senate’s committees: “For those who may want to find out what happened to the ones bought in the past, we cannot expect that after four years, the vehicles will still be in the condition to effectively serve the present committees. The best practice in government institutions and even private organisations is for official vehicles allocated to top officials after four years of use to be sold at the depreciated value.”

    What must be done must be done, Abdullahi argued. It didn’t matter what getting new cars for Saraki and others would cost the country. That is the cost of high office. According to him, “we have been very frugal, responsive and responsible in our spending.  We have also cut down on several expenses. However, there are certain expenses and purchases that are normal in government and any organisation. The legislature is not an exception.”

    When “expenses and purchases” considered “normal” in government appear abnormal to the public, then it is time to reconsider the social contract. Insensitivity to the public’s idea of normalcy is not a legislative virtue.

  • Race for car-of-the-year hots up

    The organiser of Nigeria Car-of-the-year (COTY) Award has selected Toyota Corolla, Kia Rio, Peugeot 301 and Nissan Almera to compete for the coveted price.

    Winner of the Car-Of-The-Year will be announced on November 26 at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    The Nigeria Car of the Year competition has been around over the years and the strictest criteria apply to the finalists. To appraise and select the winner, each of the listed cars will thoroughly be put through its paces on the road by the motoring journalists. To emerge tops, the car that will win the shield will have to tick all the boxes in terms of value for money, safety, innovation, technology and dynamics.

    During the test drive, a number of factors will be used as parameters to select the car that would be selected as the eventual winners.

    These factors, according to the Nigeria Auto Journalists Award (NAJA) include, but not limited to each car’s value proposition in terms of road handling, stability, functionality, comfort, safety features, overall design, availability and   accessibility of spare parts and product affordability.

    The annual NAJA Award, which is the most respected automotive award in Nigeria, attracts a lot of excitement and suspense among stakeholders within and outside the industry.

  • Promo winner gets car

    A member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Desmond Elliot has described Nigerian Breweries Plc, as a corporate organisation committed to developing its host community.

    The lawmaker spoke at the headquarters of Nigerian Breweries Plc, (NB) in Iganmu, Lagos at a prize presentation in the ongoing Gulder Ultimate Promo.

    Elliot presented the keys and documents of a Hyundai Elantra car to Chibueze Gift Chukwuoti, a University of Nigeria graduate of Medical Rehabilitation/Physiotherapy, who emerged winner via a raffle draw in Port Harcourt recently.

    The law maker said the company has not only focused on consumers of its products but has also positively impacted its host community in diverse ways. He said apart from providing potable water to its host communities, NB has been actively involved in renovation of schools and provision of other basic social amenities for its host community.

    He commended the company for empowering youths through such promos as the one currently embarked upon by Gulder.

    Meanwhile, the winner of the car said: “I was on my way to apply for internship. I am a fresh graduate from the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. I was in the car travelling to Nnamdi Azikwe Teaching Hospital when I saw a big billboard on the road saying ‘Millions of people will win big.’ After some time, I saw that the poster was everywhere and I now read the details and found out how to go about it before I sent the text. Infact I wish I can reverse the hands of time to the night I was called that I won, so I can relive that experience. I was so excited and happy. I give God the glory”.

    Marketing Manager, Emmanuel Agu, Marketing Manager,  Gulder, 33, Life, More and Stout category, Nigerian Breweries said Nigerian Breweries Plc, brewers of Guilder lager beer is a socially responsible organisation that delivers on its promises no matter how seemingly big those promises may be.

  • Student wins car at Etisalat show

    Student wins car at Etisalat show

    A 400-Level English Language student of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Sokoto (UDUS), Chijioke Opara, has won a brand-new car in Etisalat cliq fest promo tagged: Campus festival in 9ja.

    The event was held last Thursday at the Convocation Square. Many students trooped to the venue to witness the show, which featured quiz contest and raffle draw.

    The show started with testimony  by Niyi Adesanya, a past winner,  followed by performance of 2015  Idol winner, K-peace, and Evelle.

    The raffle draw was held in three categories. In the first session, students won Android phones, Etisalat-branded T-shirts. The second session had two students – Fatimah Aliyu and Baba Muhammad – winning mini laptops.

    The telecommunication firm gave out a brandnew Hyundai i10 car in the third session. The raffles were shuffled and picked by the Dean, Students Affairs (DSA), Prof Adamu Aliero.

    When his name was announced, Chijioke, who was standing at the back of the crowd, screamed in excitement. He told CAMPUSLIFE that he bought the ticket a day earlier, saying: “It is like a dream. I am grateful to Etisalat, because this is beyond my imagination.”

  • 10 killed in CAR violence

    About 10 people were killed in the Central African Republic town of Bambari in an incident that began when a mainly Christian militia group beheaded a Muslim youth leading to reprisals from Muslims, witnesses said.

    The incident underscores instability in a country divided along religious lines by violence in 2014 as Christian gangs called the anti-balaka drove Muslims from their homes in the south, Reuters reported.

    “Two young Muslims leaving the city (on Thursday) were detained by anti-balakas who beheaded one and wounded another. We went to take the body back to the mosque,” said Captain Ahmat Nejad, a spokesman for the mainly Muslim Seleka faction.

    “This triggered the anger of young Muslims who have carried out reprisals against Christians,” he said, speaking from the central town of Bambari, which is a Seleka stronghold.

    There was no immediate comment from the government or United Nations peacekeepers.

    Father Félicien Endjimoyo of the Diocese of Bambari said as many as 16 people were killed but it was not certain that the perpetrators of the initial attack were anti-balaka militia since the town is controlled by Muslims.

    Violence broke out in the former French colony in March 2013 when Seleka rebels seized power. The anti-balaka carried out reprisal attacks killing thousands. Around a million people have been displaced by the fighting.

  • Kogi House of Assembly Clerk designate, colleague die in car accident

    The Kogi State House of Assembly Clerk-in waiting, Barrister Peter Willy was yesterday involved in an auto crash, along the Lokoja-Abuja Road.

    The accident occurred on Wednesday, on the outskirts of Koto-Karfe.

    Also involved in the accident was a lawyer and colleague, while the driver of the vehicle in which they were travelling was simply identified as Agada.

    The trio, it was gathered, were on their way to Abuja to witness the collection of the governorship nomination form by Governor Idris Wada who is seeking re-election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

  • I’m a car and perfume freak

    I’m a car and perfume freak

    –House of Reps member Emmanuel Ekon

    He is a politician and member of the House of Representatives, but with his charming looks, you can easily take Hon. Emmanuel Ekon for a showbiz impresario, particularly if you run to him at a social function. The businessman turned politician and second term member of the House, representing Abak, Etim Ekpo and Ika Federal Constituencies in Akwa Ibom State enjoyed a humble beginning growing up, according to him, without electricity in his community and without a television set at home. Ekon’s parents hinged their son’s future on education; a strategy that eventually paid off. He later joined his sister in the United States of America, where he recorded his first major success, but the glitter and allure of America could not hold back his childhood memories. He returned home and picked a ticket for the House of Representatives, from where he has been contributing his own quota to the development of his native constituency. PAUL UKPABIO met him at a social function in Lagos, where he spoke about his life as a politician and a socialite.

    Which would you say lifted you to your present position in life, destiny or hard work?

    Both of them have played significant roles in whatever I am today. But it must have been more of destiny than hard work.

    What was growing up like and what memories of your early years do you recall?

    I grew up in Iwukem village, Etim Ekpo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. I had my primary education there too. Those days were not really rosy because of the constant communal clashes we were having with the people of Azumini in Abia State. We were constantly under threat. Mark you, Iwukem village, where I come from, was not developed. To be candid, we never had electricity supply in any part of the community until I went to the National Assembly in 2011.

    So, you can imagine what it meant to start life in such a community. But that did not stop us from having fun: Going to fetch firewood in the surrounding bushes, sitting under the moonlight to listen to folktales with the sound of crickets in the background, within the ambience of our environment; these are memories I will cherish till the end of my life!

    Let me also add that finding ourselves in such condition challenged us to work towards liberating our people from the shackles of poverty and bondage, and I know we are progressing in the right direction.

    What in particular do you miss about childhood?

    I miss the fun of running around the village with my friends without any fear of harassment. Though we often had communal clashes, it did not stop us from doing the things children of my age were used to doing then. We were completely free from the travails of today’s generation. People cared about what happened to their next door neighbours. Everybody shared the little they had, unlike today where suspicion, greed and insecurity is the order of the day.

    In those days, no one talked about being kidnapped. We only heard about the activities of armed robbers in the big cities, although we had few incidents of petty thieves here and there. I wish we could have such times back in this modern era so that our children can have a feel of what we had back then.

    So, who influenced you most; your mum or your dad?

    Both! My mum and dad had a great influence on my life.

    Now that you are in the National Assembly, where do you live more?

    To be honest with you, I shuttle between Abuja and Akwa Ibom. I am in Abuja on Mondays to Thursdays because I have to attend Plenary on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. I am always in Akwa Ibom attending to the needs of my constituents from Thursday evening to Monday morning before boarding the next available flight to Abuja every Monday.

    How about your family? How do you cope shuttling between Akwa Ibom and Abuja?

    My wife has been very supportive and I also have the understanding of my children. We are coping fine.

    You are a trendy dresser. Who did you take after in this regard and what kinds of clothe do you like wearing?

    I do not know anything about being a trendy dresser and I also do not have a reference point when it comes to dressing. All I know is that I am modest in the way I dress and most of my dresses are made by local tailors here. I put on an outfit that befits an occasion. I don’t like something that is too provocative. I go for good designs. That is all.

    What male fashion accessory would you not do without?

    Actually, I put on traditional attires most of the time and for that reason, ties and cufflinks rarely comes into my everyday dressing. But I am a perfume freak.

    What makes you happy?

    I feel fulfilled every time I am able to address the needs of my people.

    How best do you love spending your leisure?

    My job is very demanding. If I am not at the plenary, I probably may be attending one meeting or the other. The little time I have to spare, I try to devote it to my family.

    Tell us about your first car? What determines your choice of cars?

    My first car was a 1995 Toyota Camry which my sister gave to me when I arrived at the United States in 2001. Two things determine my choice of car: the torque and the luxury of the car.

    In what ways would you say that your background has influenced the person that you are today?

    I come from a very strong religious background where discipline and honesty were the factors that guided me. My parents recognised the value of education and even when they were not well to do financially, they encouraged us to embrace formal education and I personally took that challenge seriously. I can say with all honesty that where I have found myself today is as a result of abiding by the upbringing that they gave me.

    What else occupies your time most, apart from being a lawmaker?

    Like I said earlier, my schedule is very tight. So whatever little time I have, I try to be around my family.

    Tell us about your spouse. How did you meet? Was it love at first sight?

    My wife is a gift from God. We started our relationship before our matriculation and even flew to the United States on the same day. I will say she witnessed all the transformation in my life. She is everything that any man would dream of in a wife.

    Tell us about some of your best moments in life?

    The best moment of my life was the day I won the 2011 election to the House of Representatives. It had always been my desire to serve my people and God did it for me.

    Do you see yourself as a lady’s man? As a successful man, a lot of ladies would love to come close.

    How do you handle that?

    I have a wife and that makes me a lady’s man. I am also a committed Christian who is duty bound to deal with all manner of people.

    What role does religion play in your life?

    The word of God as contained in the Bible has affected my life positively. I allow the fear of God to guide every step I take.

    With growing voice for gender equality, when do you think that Nigeria will be ready for a woman President?

    To be honest with you, except a miracle happens, it may take years before Nigeria gets a woman President. All over the world, Nigeria inclusive, elections are very expensive. Campaigning for the office of the President is also breathtaking and tedious. Hope you remember what President Buhari and former President Jonathan went through during the campaigns. You have to campaign in every nook and cranny of the federation. This involves money, logistics, time, materials and so on. I have not seen any frontline female politician who has the financial muscle to dominate the political landscape in Nigeria.

    Even in the United States, since 1776 when United States got her Independence up till date, America has not been able to produce a female President, although there is the likelihood that America may make history in 2016 if Hillary Clinton secures Democratic Party nomination to contest election for the Office of United States President in the forthcoming November 2016 US Presidential Election.

    How about your educational background?

    I have a degree in Statistics alongside other professional certificates.

    What influenced your choice of a career in politics?

    The passion to alleviate the sufferings of the members of my constituency is a motivating factor. Before I ventured into politics, I had the opportunity to relate with my people and saw what they went through on a daily basis. I see the army of unemployed youths almost every day. I see decayed infrastructure as well. I hear stories of indigent brilliant students who could not further their education due to lack of funds/scholarships. The passion to address these issues influenced my choice of politics.

    If you were not what you are now, what else would you have loved to be?

    I came from the private sector. I ran a very successful business in the USA for seven years. So if I was not in politics to serve my people, I would have remained there to look after my business.

    What do you value most?

    I value my family and then my constituents.

    Are you fulfilled?

    Honestly, I am not yet fulfilled. I will be fulfilled when every Nigerian student has access to student loans as we have in developed countries, so that you do not need to depend on your uncles and politicians before you can further your university education. I will be fulfilled when there is 24-hour supply of electricity in Nigeria so that the economy can grow.

    I will be fulfilled when Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria becomes a thing of the past and Nigerians can walk freely in any part of the country without entertaining fear of being attacked. I will be more fulfilled when our economy bounces back and the exchange rate is brought back to a minimal level.

    What sports did you grow up with? Have you developed new ones in recent times?

    I love the game of football and I played it in my early years. But of recent, I have not had the opportunity of participating fully in football activities because of other pressing matters. But I am considering sponsoring a tournament to boost the morale of youths in my constituency to explore the possibility of making a career out of football.

    With the new dispensation of democratic government, what are your expectations?

    I would be much happier if things were good and different in the country and the erstwhile President had fulfilled his promised transformation programmes for the country. But be that as it may, I urge all Nigerians to support President Muhammadu Buhari to enable him deliver on his campaign promises. The APC as a party promised change during the campaigns. The party’s slogan during the election was change. I expect the present government to bring positive change to governance and to the country as a whole.

    Tell us about your experience so far in government.

    I represented my people in Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency in the 7th National Assembly. My constituents were satisfied with my representation between 2011 and 2015 and they gave me another mandate in March 2015 to represent them in the 8th National Assembly.

    My experience in government has shown that government cannot solve all the problems of the citizens alone. There is need for collaboration between the government, the private sector and individuals like you and me who are expected to engage in community services.

    Can you recall any significant contribution you made on the floor of the House?

    I raised the motion against the International ‎airlines’ unfair treatment of Nigerian passengers and high fare charges. I also moved a motion against the Federal Government of Nigeria, calling on them to cover the drainages on our federal highways, citing the situation along the way to Abuja Airport which has become a death trap now because of the open drainages. There were other motions that I raised too.

    What kind of country do you hope Nigeria should be?

    I expect Nigeria to maintain its status as the giant of Africa not only in words but in deeds. I also expect Nigeria to be a country where peace and security will reign. I expect Nigeria to be a country where there will be abundance of food and starvation or hunger will be a thing of the past.

    I also expect Nigeria to be a country where there will be housing for all. I expect Nigeria to continue to block all institutional loopholes making corruption to thrive. It is important that under the regime of President Muhammed Buhari, the President would block institutional loopholes that were making corruption to blossom in the country. I expect that the President will also continue to sustain this noble effort.

  • Stakeholders seek laws to regulate used car importation

    Stakeholders seek laws to regulate used car importation

    Stakeholders have called for laws to regulate the importation of used European cars, which have reached the end of their lives.

    A former Lagos State Attorney-General, Mr Olasupo Shasore (SAN) said such laws should set a limit to the age of vehicles brought into the country.

    He spoke in an interview with reporters at a colloquium in Lagos to mark the 2015 Earth Day, organised by the Kuramo Conferences and the Resource Innovation and Solutions Network Nigeria (RISSN), initiators of the Sustainability School Lagos. The theme was: Solutions for a sustainable future.

    A German chemist and toxologist, Dr. Beate Kummer said Nigeria had become a dumping ground for “end-of-life” vehicles meant for recycling in Europe.

    She said about 300,000 of such cars were pushed into Nigeria in 2012, adding: “Nigeria is a huge market for end-of-life vehicles, which are sold for dumping prices. These vehicles are often smuggled from Europe or North America through over 1,400 illegal routes.”

    Shashore said Nigeria can stop being a dumping ground for such rejected items through the enactment of relevant laws and proper regulation.

    “We have learned that there is an end-of-life designation for European cars. We don’t have legislation that creates a cut-off period for the end-of-life of a vehicle, the point at which a vehicle must be recycled.

    “We don’t have legislation that can designate use of batteries, telephones and our inverters at home. They become hazardous and harmful when they are not disposed of properly. It affects the soil and the water, and drinking it can lead to cancer.

    “If we have the knowledge as legal practitioners, we can lobby for a framework to be created. That is a lacuna in our laws right now. All we do is find ways in which we discourage it hopefully by increasing the importation duty.

    “Some of these vehicles have reached the end of their lives in the countries of their importation. There is no framework.

    “We hope that will be one of the points that should make the agenda of this colloquium,” Shasore said.

    RISSN Director Dr Olufemi Olarewaju called for the strengthening of the legal framework to reduce the import of rejected vehicles and other expired and harmful appliances into Nigeria.

    “Advocacy is what we need to be a part of. We’ll be doing a lot of engagements,” he told reporters. First of all we don’t even know what the legal framework is. In terms of abandoned vehicles for instance, why should a car that is condemned somewhere in the world be able to come into Nigeria freely?

    “In our situation most of the time the laws are in the books. We just have challenges in enforcing them. The legal framework is significant because it is based on it that the private sector can operate; they need to obey the laws of the land. It’s a critical component of what we need to achieve going forward.”

    Managing Director of the Lagos Waste Management Agency (LAWMA) Mr Ola Oresanya believes having a strong database of what is imported would help in regulation.

    He, however, argued that what is considered old or useless in one country may not been seen as such another, saying: “What is ‘end-of-life’ in Europe may not be ‘end-of-life’ here. You define what is ‘end-of-life’. It’s a relative word really; it’s not absolute.”

    Among the guests were Dr Babatunde Ajibade (SAN), former Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) president, Mrs Ayo Obe; environmentalist Newton Jibunoh; Country Director, Africare Nigeria Dr Orode Doherty; Manager, First Bank Sustainability Centre, Lagos Business School Dr. Ijeoma Nwagwu; ms. Baerbel Freyer of the German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria, among others.