The Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council, NADDC, Jelani Aliyu, has revealed reasons behind initiating the automotive design challenge for young Nigerians.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that the NADDC on Monday launched its maiden Automotive Design Challenge for Nigerian youths between the ages of 18 to 40.
The challenge, which will be an annual event, is to open up opportunities for Nigerian youths to showcase their creative abilities and talents.
The entries for the challenge, which open from October 21 to November 21, 2019, are in two categories: The design of Nigeria Applicable Intra-City Mini Taxi and Cost-Effective Mini Tractor.
Speaking at the Media Launch of the initiative in Abuja on Monday, Mr Aliyu said the challenge was borne out of his desire to guide and give young talented Nigerians opportunity to develop the country’s automotive sector.
The DG said: “Apart from giving talented Nigerians the opportunity to showcase their abilities in the automotive sector, the challenge will also open up exciting possibilities and opportunities for them to contribute towards the actualisation of innovative transportation solutions necessary for a successful Nigerian future.”
Also speaking during the challenge launch, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, assured the NADDC of providing necessary legal support and framework for all the council’s initiatives.
Similarly, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, represented by John E. Aboje, enjoined NADDC to facilitate increased level of local contents in vehicles made in Nigeria.
The Board Chairman of NADDC, Senator Osita Izunaso assured Nigerians that the board was collaborating closely with the relevant stakeholders towards bringing down the cost of new vehicles made in Nigeria to an affordable level.
The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi expressed his optimism that through the contest, the country would evolve more practical and functional vehicles that would be more useful to Nigerians than ‘Keke Napep and Okada’.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that the event was well attended by representatives of relevant institutions and stakeholders in the automotive industry, including PTDF, NASENI, NITDA, NOTAP, Katsina and Ondo State Governments, UNN Nsukka, University of Ibadan, ATBU Bauchi, Toyota Nigeria LTD, Stallion Motors, PAN Nigeria, Tilad Motors, Kia Motors, Innoson Motors, among others.
