…Attracts Presentations from FRSC, NADDC, Infinity Tyres
ROTIMI ASHER
As part of its commitment to acquaint its member with the latest development in automotive industry, the Nigerian Auto Journalists Association (NAJA) has held its annual training workshop in Lagos.
This year’s event, which was attended by motoring journalists from print, broadcast and online media, featured presentations by Director General, National Automotive Council of Nigeria(NADDC), Jelani Aliyu (MFR), Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corp(FRSC), Boboye Oyeyemi and Brand Manager, Infinity Tyres, RajendraP.Vishwarkama.
In a paper titled: “Achieving 2013-2020 Nigerian Industry Development Plan(NAIDP) Under The Current Regime: How Feasible?,” the NADDC boss represented by Director, Special duty, David Oyetunde, gave relevant information about how far President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has gone in implementing the NAIDP.
While in a presentation themed:“ ROAD TRAFFIC CRASH TREND IN NIGERIA”, Oyeyemi, who was represented by Zonal Commander, Lagos and Ogun, John Meheux, shed lights on the corps’ activities and different mechanisms it deploys towards curbing accidents on Nigerian roads.
Another resource person, who enriched the knowledge of participating journalists, was Brand Manager, Infinity Tyres, Rajendra Vishwarkama, whose paper, focused mainly on “TYRE CARE AND MAINTENANCE.”
Speaking to Motoring World after the event, the Chairman, NAJA, Frank Kintum said, ‘’the purpose of the workshop is to ensure that motoring Journalists in Nigeria are abreast with modern automotive technology.
“Since we are reporting the industry,” he pointed out, “it is important we have information about happenings and new automotive development in the industry. That is why we have invited resource persons who know the industry very well to deliver papers for the benefit of automotive journalists.’’
In his view, ‘’the speakers have really given out some knowledge and information that hitherto many of us who are practicing may not be aware of.
“It was indeed very impactful, because, for instance, under inflation, over inflation and immediate repair of tyres are things that many motorists undermine.
‘’On a general note, apart from the knowledge that journalists have gained, the fact that motoring journalists are going to extend that knowledge to the public by way of reporting is also an added advantage.”
Also reacting, the Chairman of the organizing committee, Mike Ochonma, said ‘’ though it is a one day event this year, it has been months of preparation, sleepless night and drafting of letters which you don’t know will sell to stakeholders. I am happy we achieve success.’’
“In term of what the group has achieved with the event,” he said,’’ NAJA has been able to achieve unity of purpose and become a practical group. We are now beginning to feel the impact of automotive reporting as it is being done abroad. What we are trying to do is to be at the same pedestal with our colleagues outside Nigeria. And also, we have achieved the mileage of establishing ourselves before the stakeholder in the industry that it is not going to be business as usual. That we have to write and do things the way it should. They have been able to recognize that we are pressure group to reckon with.’’
On criteria used to invite resource person for the workshop, Ochonma said, ‘’ we invited them based on the development in the automotive industry. We look at current issues and try to thrash them out. Like the NIADP 2013-2020, we know that tomorrow, if Buhari wins the 2019 election, it will continue, but if he loses, we would have been able to establish a position of where we are with automotive policy under the regime and that will form a benchmark for the coming administration.’’
The event, mainly sponsored by Nissan South Africa with its representative in Nigeria, Stallion Motors, supported by Dana Motors, Infinity tyres, Toyota Nigeria Limited and others was attended by stakeholders in the automotive industry and the motoring press.
