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  • 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 The suggested cars may be economic in fuel consumption coupled with easy maintenance, but very old (outdated).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)

  • President Buhari: Stop this internal bleeding

    I REVERT to this medical metaphor for two reasons. First, blood is easily recognisable. Second, we know that internal bleeding can lead to death. Therefore, both literally and metaphorically, internal bleeding could be very dangerous.

    Unfortunately, today, President Muhammadu Buhari is dealing with two serious cases of internal bleeding, and he does not appear to be paying due attention. One, the presidency is bleeding. Two, his political party, the All Progressives Congress, is also bleeding.

    There are several symptoms of internal bleeding within the presidency. However, the present diagnosis is concerned with only one of them, namely, the mischievous allegation of misappropriation against the Vice President, reportedly by a former Deputy Secretary of the APC and other accomplices.

    The details of the allegation are somewhat sketchy. It first appeared on social media and it soon spread like an epidemic. Essentially, it alleges that the VP mismanaged some 90 billion Naira allegedly provided by the Federal Internal Revenue Service to fund the 2019 general elections, including the presidential campaign.

    The allegation looks like a parody of the 2015 allegations against some officials of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration on the mismanagement of funds said to be allocated for national security but diverted to fund Jonathan’s failed presidential campaign.

    Furthermore, by implication, the present allegation is not only against the VP; it is also against the President, who allegedly authorised the use of FIRS funds for the general elections. Indeed, according to the allegation, the purported frosty relationship between the President and the VP was precipitated on the alleged mismanagement of the funds.

    In clear language, there are three parties involved in the allegation, namely, the VP, the FIRS, and the President.

    So far, the VP has come out bluntly with three steps. First, he staunchly denied the allegation. Second, he instructed his lawyers to sue the perpetrators of the allegation. Third, he pledged to waive his immunity for the proper prosecution of the culprits.

    This last step has, however, attracted some controversy, because immunity is constitutionally required of the holder of the office of VP. The question is: If he cannot be sued, can’t he sue for sedition?  We must give it to the VP that, as a Professor of Law and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, he would know the proper steps to take.

    Similarly, the FIRS has come out to deny the allegation on two grounds. First, it does not have that kind of money as its annual allocation by the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee has never grossed N100 billion. The fund is barely enough to cater for its over 150 offices and 8,000-member staff and trainees. Second, its accounts and operations are public and, therefore, could be verified.

    The expectation is that the President would be the next to deny the allegation by making it clear that he never authorised the FIRS to release that kind of money. However, only few are disappointed that the President has not spoken on the issue.

    True, the President’s taciturnity is legendary; but why would he say anything, if, indeed, the allegation is baseless? There is the argument that once the President begins to respond to baseless allegations, there will be no end to the nonsense.

    Nevertheless, it is standard practice in civilized democracies for Presidents or Premiers to defend their Deputies against allegations. The confidence expressed in them is considered necessary to sustain the image of the presidency. This is what many expect President Buhari to do at this time.

    Instead, it would appear that the President has taken some steps which are believed to have some direct effects on the office of the VP and its operations. I will not go into those details here. The question is whether such steps were taken to signal the erosion of confidence in the VP or to maximise the efficiency of operations in the presidency.

    Last Sunday night, the presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, indicated on Channel TV’s Sunday Politics, hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, that the latter was the case and that the former was no more than an insinuation.

    Be that as it may, there is another disease in need of urgent attention by the President: The APC is said to be suffering from internal bleeding as well. The party bled through the 2019 elections but was lucky to remain victorious. It is believed to be bleeding again in readiness for the 2023 general elections. There are indications that each of the three major parties which formed the APC alliance in 2014–ACN, CPC, and ANPP—is strategising for the 2023 presidential ticket.

    It is further speculated that the Southwest is targeted as the theatre of intrigues and manipulations in the belief that it should be the rightful zone to produce the next Presidential candidate for the party. At the same time, however, it is also believed that there are Northern interests in the ticket within the CPC/ANPP bloc. However, the APC may lose lose out were the North to cling to power beyond 2023.

    Understandably, two battles are already brewing in the Southwest. On the one hand, the zone is the focus of intrigues by Northern interests. On the other hand, various interests within the zone are being played against each other.

    We may have been witnessing the interplay between the two battles in the form of unauthorised 2023 posters, unfounded rumours, and spurious allegations. There surely will be more to come against notable Southwestern targets suspected to be interested in 2023.

    The fear is that the party may well be on the road to perdition, if care is not taken early enough before it is torn apart by factionalism, ethnic strictures, and the cleavages of religion as these are overlaid on the political ambition of certain individuals within the party.

    The disintegration of the party will be a sad legacy for President Buhari. He may be viewed as the leader of the party, who looked away as the party faltered and splintered under his feet. He may be viewed as an ingrate for whom the party toiled for two consecutive elections but who did not care once he secured a second term.

    He must act swiftly to avoid this image, by preventing a free-for-all fight between the North and the South for the 2023 ticket. And he must protect his VP against this fight.

     

  • Talking points from Buhari’s Independence address

    ANNIVERSARIES like the Independence Day celebration usually afford Nigerian leaders the opportunity to deliver an assessment of the ‘state of the nation’ under their watch.

    Yesterday, President Muhammadu Buhari got the fifth opportunity to tell Nigerians we are better off today than we were in 2015. Whether he succeeded in that endeavour is a moot point.

    He did try his level best to showcase what his administration is doing concerning the key areas of security, economy and corruption on which he secured a mandate in the last two election cycles.

    Only the uncharitable would say his government has done ‘nothing’ in the over four years of his incumbency. The issue is whether what is being thrown at Nigeria’s problems is being delivered in enough doses to make a difference.

    Some critics would even argue that, in certain instances, because wrong treatment is being applied, we are worse off economically than we were a couple of years ago.

    We are all experts at retailing what’s wrong with the country. So determined not to be part of the October 1 bore fest of regurgitating our failings, I read the speech looking for positives.

    And you would find a few – whether in the building up of a healthier foreign reserve, investment in some big ticket infrastructure projects, in attempts to diversify the economy, or even in the administration’s imperfect war against corruption.

    That said, the speech was a bit disappointing because beyond the ritual chest-thumping expected of every government in power, its rhetoric did little to inspire people to hope for a better day. Indeed, the message could have been the updated version of the ones read in the last two years.

    In the preamble, the president reminds us of his charge four years ago, that we may have voted for ‘change’ but it isn’t going to appear like a conjurer’s trick.

    He said: “We must change our lawless habits, our attitude to public office and public trust… simply put, to bring about change, we must change ourselves by being law-abiding citizens.”

    Accepted that even a government of angels would be challenged when confronted by a people uniquely gifted in circumventing every rule made by man.

    Still it is the burden of leadership to corral the most recalcitrant of followers and point them in the direction you want them to go. It goes beyond just seeing the fault of those you lead.

    We certainly have an attitude problem in the areas the president spoke of. But it would be more helpful if rather than the name-calling and finger-pointing, the president came up with a specific national reorientation programme that helps to reshape the people’s mindset.

    This is especially urgent because the younger demographic in this country are already headed in a direction that should alarm anyone concerned about the future.

    Almost on a daily basis the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) parades scores of young men in their 20s and 30s who have been arrested for internet fraud and other forms of cybercrime.

    Many have been driven into this activity by unemployment and lack of opportunities. Others have simply made wrong moral choices. In addition to whatever families, religious organisations and local communities are doing, the government should weigh in with its own solutions. The president didn’t really speak to this.

    Interesting, the accomplishments of the youths in the area of the arts and entertainment represent one of the bright spots for Nigeria in the last 10 to 15 years. Today, our pop singers like Davido, Burna Boy, Wizkid and others are world beaters who are competing against the best in America and Europe.

    They have achieved what they have with little or no government support. Perhaps the president, being an honest man, wisely chose not to ascribe their strides to any special thing his administration has done.

    But the government can build on what has been achieved through policy intervention to further boost the entertainment industry as a means of generating jobs. The same can be done in the area of sports which is a major employer of young people globally. Buhari’s speech never glanced in this direction.

    Equally disturbing is the fact that while acknowledging we have a crisis with our exploding population, he didn’t suggest anything radical was being done about it – beyond the perfunctory comment about creating jobs.

    He did, however, bemoan the abuses of social media to further hate and division talking, again, about individual rights needing to take a back seat to national security and interest.

    His remarks are interesting against the backdrop of the ongoing trial of Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, the activities of pro-Biafra secessionists and opposition activists.

    Perhaps, the trial would throw up earthshaking evidence of the capabilities of a rabblerousing activist to topple an entrenched government. Still, one cannot help but view the case as further evidence of the lack of progress made in furthering civil liberties in the last few years.

    I have had the privilege of listening to heads of some security agencies go to the extent of labelling critical comments made against the incumbent president in the heat of the last election season as acts against national security.

    I would suggest that we face a greater security threat from the activities of Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters, kidnappers, compromised security agencies at our borders – even from the ailing economy – than from publicity-seeking agitators.

    I made this point in my piece titled ‘The trouble with the Buhari Doctrine’ written after the president controversially said last year that there were instances where individual rights must come second to the national interest. It bears repeating here:

    “Although Buhari has run to a certain Supreme Court ruling for cover, the trouble with the newly-espoused doctrine is that national interest is such a nebulous concept which is open to diverse interpretations, misinterpretations and manipulation by malevolent forces.

    “What is in the national interest of a country is often down to what the individuals who run it think it is. There are hardly ever any objective parameters for defining it.

    ‘National interest’ is what regimes hide under to clamp dissidents in detention. But the moment a more liberal administration takes over, one of its first acts is often the release of detainees – in the ‘national interest’ – in order to score points locally and internationally and shore up support.”

    Just a few points of cavil. Hopefully, someone out there would take notice and make adjustments.

  • Cars45 introduces emergency service

    An automotive trading platform, Cars45 has introduced an Emergency Service.

    The service, the firm said, is to deliver professional, quick-response services for stranded consumers at prompt notice.

    Cars45 Vice President, Customer and Dealer Experience, Oluseyi Folaranmi added that the service is aimed at bringing relief and comfort to road users.

    Roadside assistance ranging from jump-starting a vehicle if the battery loses charge, replacing a flat tire with a spare, delivering fuel to stranded vehicles, towing off disabled vehicles and lockout services for keys that have been locked inside the vehicle would be provided.

    Folaranmi added that the service is borne out of Cars45’s commitment to providing its valued customers with essential automotive services that make their lives easier and more productive.

    “The Emergency Service is testament to Cars45’s efforts at improving customer experience and bringing relief to road users on their journey. Our commitment is to consistently improve the nation’s automotive industry with extensive investment in developing solutions that make life better and delivers convenience to users on every trip,” Folaranmi said.

     

  • Commissioner urges Lagosians to obey traffic laws

    Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation Dr Frederic Oladeinde has urged Lagosians to obey the state’s traffic laws and support ongoing reforms in the transport sector.

    This, he said, is to rid the state of gridlock.

    In a statement to mark his birthday today, Dr. Oladeinde said the best birthday wishes he would  appreciate  from Lagosians is when they allow free flow of traffic.

    He said the state will tomorrow hold a stakeholders’ meeting to unveil the government plans for achieving an improved traffic management system that will reduce productive human hours daily lost to traffic jam.

    Oladeinde added that the stakeholders’ meeting would also address major contributing factors to gridlock in the metropolis and how to improve on them for greater economic prosperity for the state.

    The commissioner noted that successive administrations had devised strategies such as the establishment of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority,(LASTMA), Lagos State Metropolitan Traffic Management Agency,( LAMATA), Bus Rapid Transport (BRT), Light Rail System, Modern Ferry Service, Traffic Radio Station and others to tackle the menace of gridlock  in the metropolis.

     

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  • Mofe Duncan breaks silence over failed marriage

    Actor Mofe Duncan has broken the silence concerning rumours about his failed marriage, weeks after the news broke.

    The actor, who was married to Jessica Kakkad for three years before the marriage hit the rock last year, denied reports that his marriage to Jessica was his third time being married.

    Noting that he has only been married to Jessica, Duncan came out with this confession after being shamed by Instagram trolls for indirectly criticising Tasha’s character.

    An Instagram follower had claimed Duncan has been married and divorced three times.

    Duncan has taken to his Instagram to deny the allegation, saying it is not true: “@utty_benn you represent the group of people with this thought process that, so I will address you as those I am addressing. I have not been married three times… I have only been married once,” he said.

    “Also being divorced is not a terminally contagious disease, it also does not mean that you are a monster or the person you divorced is a monster from hell. Jess and I are still very good friends with mutual respect for each other and our respective families. Remember, Megan was divorced and still married a prince. God bless you @utty_benn and to those married, may God keep your home. To those divorced, may you find peace in your heart. And to those yet to marry, may you find the right person and may it last forever.

    Please, don’t believe all the blogs post, that’s how they said my sister @matilda_duncan gave birth in America because she posted her best friend’s baby.”

     

  • Trufest excites young dancers, marks 10 years

    Ten years on, despite logistic challenges, Trufest International Dance Festival continues to attract participation by younger generation dance companies from within and outside the country.

    Last Thursday, dance buffs and contemporary dance enthusiasts were treated to an evening of entertaining dance sessions at Alliance Francaise Mike Adenugba Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos. It was the opening ceremony of this year’s edition of the festival, which marked its 10th anniversary in Lagos. No fewer than 12 dance troupes will be on stage all through the duration of the festival, which will run till October 6.

    Founded by Adedayo Liadi’s Ijodee Art Organisation, the festival uses dance as a medium of communication and breaking boundaries in the country, on the continent and the world at large.

    Liadi said the idea of Trufest Festival came to him while he was in Uruguay in 2003 during a festival. “Then, I was part of Dance Meet Dance Festival. From 2006 till now, we are still pushing on and it has been free of charge for all participants including workshop, feeding and gift items. Importantly, the festival is to impact knowledge and create opportunities for younger ones. With the level of participation from young dancers, I begin to have a strong hope for the future,” he said.

    He noted that this year’s festival, which has as theme Creating new opportunities festival was to tour university campuses in Port Harcourt, Oyo, Bayelsa and Lagos. “Unfortunately, I got information that schools would not be in session. So, we decided to cancel the tour of cities and focus on touring Lagos. Now, the festival will move from Ikoyi to Ajegunle and Bariga,” he added.

    On selection of final participants for the festival, he said: “We sent out call for entries and we got about 50. And 15 entries were selected out of 50 received. But, we made sure the entries contain messages that the audience will take home.”

    Participating companies featuring at the festival are from France, South Africa, Benin, Cote D’ Ivoire and Nigeria and they include Ijolomo Dance Company, Ennovate Dance House, Ijogbenro Dynamic Troupe, Mary (Soloist), I Dance Network, Danzkiijo Arts Productions, Crown Troupe of Africa, Ijodee Arts, Moseg Creativities, African Ribs, Dynamic Tales Entertainment Company and Alapelaca Inc.

    The festival promotes artistes, the dance companies and also contributes to the socio-cultural and economic development of Nigeria. It accommodates solos, duets, trios and group dance performances.

    Trufesta festival focuses on new and old dance creations from different parts of the world and creates opportunities for emerging creative talents (dance artistes and choreographers) of different backgrounds to collaborate, share ideas, work together, exchange experiences, network and perform together.

    Since 2006 the festival has hosted creative works from Europe, Africa, South America, Canada, Australia, USA and Asia.

    The festival creates positive energy, unity amongst artistes, good atmosphere to learn, improve and showcases great performances at various levels. It also promotes conventional and unconventional works, dance classes, workshops, discussions and seminar. Over the years, the platform has become the meeting point for the town and gown to deliberate and work as one big family in the same space for the progress of dance.

  • E-payment transactions hit N203.35tr in six months

    Electronic payment (e-pay-ment) transactions worth N203.35 trillion were carried out by banks between January and June, this year, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) half-year e-payment figures  have shown.

    The data, released at the weekend,  showed that the deals occurred through cheques, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), Point of Sale (PoS), m-Cash, CentralPay, Remita, Nigeria Interbank Instant Payment (NIBSS) Instant Payment (NIP), mobile money, among other channels.

    The report showed that 3.4 million transactions worth N2.2 trillion occurred through cheques; 504 million transactions worth N49.35 trillion through NIP;  424.5 million  transactions worth N3.23 trillion through ATMs. PoS attracted 187.6 million transactions worth N1.39 trillion, while web transfers attracted 47.9 million deals worth N223.9 billion.

    Others are mobile money, 104.7 million transactions worth N1.9 trillion and Remita’s 21.6 million transactions worth N9.8 trillion.

    On annualised, the data showed that nine million cheques were issued last year compared with 10 million in the preceding year; 875 million ATMs and 295 million PoS transactions, among other data.

    The e-payment powers were conferred on the CBN by Sections 2 (d) and 47 (2) of the CBN Act, 2007, to promote the development of efficient and effective systems for the settlement of transactions, including the development of electronic payment systems; the CBN hereby issue the following Guidelines on Operations of Electronic Payment Channels in Nigeria.

    While pushing for the full use of e-payment, CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele said for Nigeria to actively play at the world stage, “our payment system must be successfully benchmarked against the global best practices, as in most developed nations of the world.”

    He said e-payment provides safe and efficient mechanisms for making and receiving payments with minimum risks to the CBN, payment service providers and end-users.

    To make the e-payment vision a success, the CBN, in collaboration with key stakeholders in the payments community, developed the National Payments Systems Vision 2020 (NPSV 2020). The NPSV 2020 is a sub-set of the Financial Systems Strategy 2020 (FSS 2020).

     

  • Hyundai unveils 45 EV Concept

    Hyundai has introduced an electric vehicle concept named 45 EV Concept at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt.

    The vehicle signifies a new era of Hyundai’s automotive design, focused on electrification, autonomous technologies and intelligent design.

    The dramatic exterior of 45 excites the imagination, also drawing inspiration from the vehicle that first established Hyundai’s design DNA, the 1974 Pony Coupe Concept. The car’s name also owes itself in part to the 45-degree angles at the front and rear, forming a diamond-shaped silhouette that further foreshadows the design direction of future EV models.

    The concept strips away complexity, celebrating the clean lines and minimalistic structure of the original coupe concept. Combining heritage with vision, 45 incorporates the evolution of Hyundai’s ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design language.

    According to Senior Vice President and the Head of Hyundai Design Centre, SangYup Lee, the 45 clearly reveals how Hyundai heads towards the future through heritage.

    Lee said: “Through the 45 built upon our design language ‘Sensuous Sportiness’, Hyundai wants to present our vision on how we want to reshape people’s in-car lifestyle in the era of electrification and autonomous driving.”

    The 45 reinterprets the concept’s distinctive lattice radiator grille with a ‘kinetic cube lamp’ design, while a fastback profile epitomises stability and dynamism, characteristics accentuated by the vehicle’s significant width and forward-oriented posture. The daylight opening (DLO) terminates in the fast angle of the C-pillar, which generates a feeling of dynamic forward motion even when standing still.

    Innovative technology is inherent in 45’s details. At the bottom of the door, active LED lights show drivers how much longer they have before needing to recharge, even before they get in the car. Some tech features may influence forthcoming Hyundai production models, emphasising Hyundai’s open architecture for the future, and leaving room to include self-driving system applications. These include a hidden Camera Monitoring System (CMS), while self-cleaning side cameras replace traditional wing mirrors, ensuring perfect visibility at all times.

    Reimagining the in-car experience, the interior becomes a unique living space capable of transforming to accommodate a range of passenger lifestyle demands. Inspired by furniture designs, the minimalist cabin is fitted with an inviting fusion of wood, fabric and leather, creating a warm atmosphere that is both relaxing and spacious. Lounge chair-style rear seats and front seats can rotate to face other passengers, and swivel as occupants open the door for convenient entry and exit.

    The batteries in the fully electric 45 are set throughout the car’s ‘skateboard floor,’ contributing to its spacious interior. Clean lines, ergonomic placement of controls and ‘high-end electronics’ feel for the interior fixtures further enhance the feeling of space while reinforcing the simplistic modernity of 45’s design. Front-seat passengers can interact with the infotainment system via a projection-beam interface, replacing a single central touchscreen with a series of displays and functions integrated into the dashboard itself. Clever storage ideas include door mounted device pockets to hold tablets or PCs.

    The 45 embodies Hyundai’s ‘Style Set Free’ strategy for future mobility that emphasises personalisation of design and function. It was the centrepiece of Hyundai’s Frankfurt display, which showcased various future innovations in vehicle technology and integration of lifestyle applications.

     

  • Nigeria@59. Boldly plan 60,000Mw.Nigeria@60

    ABCDEFGGHI=Avoid Bribery & Corruption Daily Everywhere For Good Governance Here Immediately for a Nigeria@60.

    With one day less than one year to become 60, what prospect is there that the coming 364 days will be used any more constructively than the past 59 years and one day? Government which could act at lightning speed always chooses the slow path especially when fixing roads, the lifeline of business, and growth activities. At 59, we cannot understand why potholes cannot be filled with urgency even during the rainy season. People have different needs and priorities than politicians.

    Obasanjo presented 400 engineers as FERMA with green pickup trucks. Nigerians applauded. Mumu!! There was no return to the ‘Rule of Engineering Law’ just worse rubbish roads ever since. Governance failure!! Sadly, Nigeria’s political history is weighed down with political versions of our ‘Nigerian Dream’ as we were serially and perhaps irreversible ruined by greater and greater failed mega-contracts amounting to trillions while abusing the intelligence of Nigerians by saying that Nigeria has no money.

    Amazingly, Nigerians are angry, vexing and flexing federal might with P&ID. Hurray!! But every deal, without exception is believed to cheat Nigeria! Why we no vex before? Think! If Buhari was not in power, we probably would have swept this under a huge carpet, with money going both ways. But we know Nigeria’s contracts are routinely awash with maximum failure and corruption. The suffering on the Lagos-Ibadan road, mirrored across Nigeria, only needed good maintenance contracts. Are any heads rolling? Our politicians are as guilty as the guilty in P&ID, only free to loot Nigeria.

    At 59, why does Nigeria’s ‘Evil’ still prevail against the electrification of Nigeria to the UN recommended 150,000Mw so Nigerian students can read through the night in a clean air and zero noise pollution atmosphere. At 59, families and business cannot overcome burning money daily to overcome the curse of 3,000Mw – one USA village supply. Partially xenophobic South Africa has 45,000Mw!

    At 59, Nigeria, under the ‘Evil’ political powers, now exports its most precious commodity, its educated professionals, the new intelligentsia, our citizens who hopefully will continue to repatriate billions of dollars from UK, USA, the Middle East Alaska etc. and increasingly now Canada. At 59, less educated, and less wanted, youth flee their disappointing homeland’s political ineptitude and government abandonment as a tsunami of Nigerian illegal migrants to become dead in the Sahara, drowned in the Mediterranean around Lampedusa Island, body parts donors, forced sex workers or unwilling and deceived prostitutes. At 59, ‘Evil’ still perpetuates the muddy quagmire on rubbish roads built and rebuilt at minimum speed and maximum extra cost to budgets, life and limb.

    At 59, ‘Evil’ causes the refusal of all governments to properly predict and control the traffic from 6am to 9pm to allow citizens to work and return home in a predictable manner daily. At 59, ‘Evil’ forces happily check particulars, especially on a Sunday, of terrified female and their children going to church and amused expatriate visitors to give them a good impression about Nigeria. At 59, bullying traffic officers pull vehicles out of heavy traffic instead of prioritising the removal of the traffic obstacle. At 59, we have no ‘pothole- filling strategy’ for the numerous government staff to fill ‘the millions of potholes of Nigeria’ by direct local empowerment labour, not contractor fraud. At 59, our neighbourhood association filled two dangerously growing leprous potholes with cement instead of a Nigeria@59 party. What did you do?

    At 59, we are being given government ministry of works assurance that certain ‘key’ roads will be ‘ok’ for the ‘ember months’ traffic.  Name one country which operates its public service responsibility around an ‘ember months’ calendar. Is road use not daily? What is a ‘key’ road? Every road budgeted and paid for once or twice but not done is a key road to Nigeria’s existence. The words ‘Key roads’ remind me of the hated term ‘core subjects’.

    At 59, the concentration on core subjects has cost Nigeria a broad educational range by forcing teachers to ignore the personal education needs of millions of students deliberately denied teaching and learning time with so-called non-core subjects.

    I refuse to ever use the hated word ‘minority’. Imagine a country seeking to become a nation@59 still unable to give a glimmer of hope and meaning to ‘True Nationalism’ with proud face and throbbing heart facing the flapping green-white-green from the flagpole when the national anthem is played. This is a country that even cheats its main ambassadors -athletes and fallen heroes- soldiers and pensioners- who die on undeclared battlefields and in never ending pension verification exercise queues without basic facilities like chairs and shade, while staff seeks bribes.

    Everyone is born with automatic pride in home, family name, state and country. It is the country’s failure to deliver the fundamentals of civilized life that erodes the citizens’ pride in that country. At 59, Nigeria is a country with a history of failing its citizens in security etc. Of course, the country is an inanimate object and it is actually the rulers, leadership, heads of household failures which collectively result in the perceived failure of society and therefore the country Nigeria to meet local and international yardsticks of civilization.

    Nigeria will be great again, but does it have to take so long? Why not 60,000Mw.Nigeria@60 in 2020? [to be continued]