19042019 - CCT axes Onnoghen, to forfeit money, barred for 10 years

22— Vanguard, FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2019
By Theodore Opara
Weststar, Marcopolo
unveils new Paradiso
1350 bus
W ESTSTAR Associates
Limited, authorised general
distributor of Mercedes-Benz in
Nigeria in collaboration with Auto
Alternative Nigeria Limited, authorised
representative of Marcopolo
in Nigeria has launched the new
Marcopolo Paradisio 1350 bus to
the Nigerian market.
While presenting the bus to the
press and leading bus operators in
Nigeria, Managing Director of
Weststar Associates Limited, Mr.
Mirko Plath, said that the introduction
of the Marcopolo Paradiso 1350
bus model marks a move in the
right direction for bus operators in
Nigeria.
He said,“The bus operators already
have a long standing relationship
with Mercedes-Benz dating
back to the 1950s. The brand
has been a benchmark for their success
over the years hence, their trust
in the brand and in Weststar Associates.”
According to him, the Mercedes-
Benz Marcopolo buses are not new
to operators in Nigeria. He, however,
assured that with the bus,
operators were ready to take their
businesses to the next level, and
pleaded that they should continue
to put their trust in the Mercedes-
Benz brand. He noted that the collaboration
with Marcopolo in Nigeria
has certainly borne fruit over
the years.
Narrating the story of Marcopolo
buses in Nigeria, Plath said that
Mercedes Benz has a long history
in Nigeria, adding that the first
Marcopolo was first launched in the
country in the 80s. According to
him, the Marcopolo stands for safety,
quality, reliability and genuineness
among others.
In his presentation, Weststar Associates
Key Accounts Manager,
Ifeanyi Igbokwe explained the O
500 RSD bus chassis has been carefully
developed for medium and
long-distance applications. According
to him, the chassis has all of
Mercedes-Benz‘s technological
advantages and is a robust and
highly durable chassis that is adequate
for the most severe working
conditions.
“It also provides high comfort to
the passengers due to the integral
pneumatic suspension and a Mercedes-Benz
gearbox (with six synchronized
gears). This chassis is
built to offer top quality and low operational
costs, it is also designed
to withstand 24 tonnes. It offers better
ergonomics to the driver’s top
auxiliary brake which provides an
additional braking power of 30 per
cent and a high ground clearance
level for bad road conditions”, Igbokwe
added.
On the bus USP, Igbokwe said
Mercedes-Benz has a long legacy,
assuring that the new posseses
certain attributes which include: reliability,
easy access for maintenance,
brand aesthetics, better connectivity
features, comfort and safety,
good fuel efficiency, high modularity,
efficient powerful engine
which gives a lasting value, low total
cost of ownership among others.
For the bus operators, he
warned that their focus should be
on: Ruggedness and an absolute
work horse - versatility in terms of
load capacity, easy maintenance,
continuous service with little downtime
as possible, wider service network,
lowest cost of operations for
better returns in business, parts
availability and one-stop solutions.
Defence Ministry, DPR, MTN win Toyota awards
IN a bid to reward its custom
ers and stakeholders for their
support to the growth of the
brand, Toyota Nigeria Limited
showered customers with cast,
brand new car and other valuable
gifts
Ministry of Defence of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, Department
of Petroleum Resources,
DPR, and MTN Nigeria were
named winners at the recent Toyota
Nigeria Limited, TNL, Customer
of the Year Awards for their
patronage of the Toyota brand of
vehicles in 2018.
In the customers category of
the award, MTN won as the second
runner up; DPR first runner
up while the Ministry of Defence
clinched the overall winner
in that category at the prestigious
‘Toyota Customer Nite
2019 held at the Civic Centre,
Victoria Island, Lagos.’ The trio
were rewarded with cash prizes
of N1million, N1.5 million and
N2 million respectively.
First Bank of Nigeria Plc. was
named the ‘Evergreen Customer
of The Year’ in the award ceremony.
The evergreen award is
for customers that have consistently
patronised the Toyota
brand over the years. As the evergreen
customer of the year,
First Bank which also won the
same award last year, was rewarded
with the latest model of
new Toyota Yaris, valued at over
N10 million.
The Motoring Press was not
left out in the award. Recognised
in the Journalists category
at the award night were Rasheed
Bisiriyu of Punch, Theodore
Opara of Vanguard and Mike
Ochonna of Businessday newspapers
who emerged as overall
winner, first runner up and second
runner up respectively for
their outstanding reportage of
the automobile sector during the
year. Speaking at the event,
From Left; Mrs Temitope Sowande, Head Procurement , representing First Bank Plc, overrall winner
Customer of the Year, Chief Micheal Ade Ojo, Chairman, Elizade Motors, Mrs Taye Ade-Ojo,
wife, and Mr Henry Ade Ojuoko, Head Dealer Development and Special Project, Toyota Nigeria
Limited, during the Toyota Customer Awards Night , held at Civic Center, Victoria Island Lagos.
Chairman, Toyota Nigeria Limited,
Chief Michael Ade.Ojo,
said their customers in particular
have supported them through
thick and thin, adding that the
customers have continued to be
their source of strength and pillar
of support. That support
Ade.Ojo said has made TNL a
force to reckon with in the automobile
industry in the country.
The chairman, however, lamented
the adverse effect of the
nation’s economy on the purchasing
power of the people. According
to him, the last few years
has been tough for the auto industry.
Ade.Ojo said “The Nigeria
economy has experienced series
of crises over the years. The
last few years in particular have
been extremely tough. The purchasing
power of the average
Nigerian has been thoroughly
weakened; this coupled with the
unprecedented surge in prices
of goods and services, has made
acquisition and ownership of
new vehicles extremely difficult
for average Nigerians. This has
inevitably resulted in a huge
drop in sales of vehicles”.
Assuring customers of TNL’s
resolve to continue its customer
friendly approach, Ade.Ojo said
“I want to assure you that despite
the monumental challenges
in the economy, TNL will continue
to devise means that will
enable our customers to continue
to enjoy their preferred auto
brand-Toyota. We will continue
to initiate customer friendly,
business improvement strategies
aimed at making our brand more
affordable. We have continuously
improved our after-sales architecture
in order to give our
customers value for their money.
We are committed to doing
the needful at all times to sustain
the culture of superior quality
and excellent customer service
that TNL is known for”.
Discovery Landmark Edition for
Land Rover 30th anniversary
THE Land Rover Discovery
SUV has been raising the
bar for all-terrain capability and
everyday versatility for 30 years.
To celebrate three decades of adventure
with the ultimate go-anywhere
SUV, Land Rover unveiled
the new Discovery Landmark
Edition.
The Discovery has been the
choice of adventurers and families
since its arrival at the Frankfurt
Motor Show in 1989 and the
new Landmark Edition showcases
everything it means to be a
Discovery, with upgraded standard
features and subtle design
enhancements.
Taking the well-appointed SE
as a starting point, the Landmark
Edition adds the Dynamic Pack,
which includes a more purposeful
front bumper design and Narvik
Black mesh grille and fender
vents. Narvik Black nameplate
scripting on the bonnet and tailgate
is also joined by unique
Landmark badging on the tailgate.
The exterior is also marked
out by a fixed panoramic roof,
front fog lights and signature tail
lights, while privacy glass and
20-inch Gloss Black wheels complete
the modern and contemporary
look.
The interior is available with a
choice of three premium Windsor
leather colourways with contrast
micropiping. A Satin
Brushed Aluminium centre console
and titanium mesh finishers
also set it apart, with the
380W Meridian Sound System,
helping to create a truly firstclass
travel experience.