At a recent press launch of Landrover Discovery in Lagos, Motoring World’s Editorial crew stumbled on Executive Director of Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc, Henry Ikemefuna Obih, a man who has had a diverse and cross functional career in Mobil, involving assignments in Lubricants & Specialties, Manufacturing, Quality Systems Management, Business & Strategic Planning, Marketing & Operations.
[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n this interview, he reveals the most significant car he has ever driven, his most memorable experience on wheel and more…
Excerpts
Motoring World: Could you recall your most memorable experience on wheel?
Obih: My memorable moment was when we used to drive along coastal road on Lekki in an extremely sandy condition.
Motoring World: What was the experience like then?
Obih: From Victoria Garden City (VGC), I used to have to go to work on the Island. And traffic was terrible. I used to drive a Landrover Discovery, which made the journeys rather fun, as the car demonstrated outstanding capability to manage the conditions. Not for one day did I get stuck until the expansion of the roads. But you can imagine, looking at what the roads are today and what they use to be like those days.
Motoring World: That is interesting. Would it be correct to say then that Landrover Discovery was the most significant car you’ve ever driven?
Obih: You can say that.
Motoring World: When did you start driving a Landrover, to be precise?
Obih: I have been driving Landrover since 2008, when I purchased the first one. So I’ve owned it for almost eight years now.
Motoring World: Which other brands have you?
Obih: I’ve owned a number of European brands in the past. I’ve owned a Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and a couple of other brands. But Landrover product is top notch. It has been my best experience as a driver and as a car owner.
Motoring World: What specifically thrills you so much about Landrover models?
Obih: They are refined.
Motoring World: A new Discovery has just been unveiled. Is this your first time of seeing it?
Obih: No. The first time I saw it was in London in December(2014), when it was unveiled. And I had opportunity to sit in it. I haven’t had opportunity to drive it myself, because I have to book a test drive. But clearly, it’s synonymous with quality. And the level of refinement you get from Landrover.
Motoring World: If you have opportunity to change anything in Landrover, what would you advise the maker to change?
Obih: I think those cars have taken ability and capability to a different level. Just reading about it and I have a very interesting discussion about it with the founder of Trendy, who has also driven the car.
The features that this current Discovery has are clearly world class and a leading edge. I think this is probably the only brand that I’m aware of that has the capability. You may find it in a Rolls Royce. I don’t know, but clearly in regular cars, affordable cars for medium level income earners, definitely the very best.
[tabs type=”horizontal”][tabs_head][tab_title][/tab_title][/tabs_head][tab]”I’ve owned a number of European brands in the past. I’ve owned a Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, and a couple of other brands. But Landrover product is top notch. It has been my best experience as a driver and as a car owner..” – Obih[/tab][/tabs]
