It was an opportunity to see the evolution of technology among cars at the maiden edition of the Lagos Motor Show where a collection of vehicles from pre-independence to date were on display.
Held at the popular Tafawa Balawa Square in Lagos, the show exhibited classic, vintage and electric cars including electric-powered motorbikes and vehicles, which most Nigerians of the current generation have not seen in their lifetime.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the 2-day event, the Chief Promoter of the Lagos Motor Show, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo said the inspiration behind the event is his passion for motoring right from his early days as a young undergraduate.
He said: “As a young undergraduate many years ago, I wrote articles about the future of motoring in Nigeria. Thus, today we are making history by displaying our passion for motoring because we are a people with history.”
The Lagos Motor Show had on display cars that were manufactured before Nigeria’s Independence in 1960, cars that were manufactured after Independence and cars of today and the future. It was a display of electric cars. Modern, Classic, Vintage Cars, Eco-Friendly EVs, Robotics and autonomous vehicles, Electric –Tricycles and E-mobility.
Meanwhile, LargeHouse, which is a collection of Landrover cars, and other motor companies such as BMW, ‘Work and Play’, a leading Motor Sport and recreation company all played a significant role in the success of the maiden edition of the Lagos Motor Show.
It was also an opportunity to engage with car enthusiasts, potential buyers and other professionals from haulage, logistics, car hire companies, digital taxi companies, passenger transporters, financial institutions, Insurance, and loans companies and decision-makers in the auto industry.
Also, the Royal Father of the event, HRH Barrister Mohammed Sanni Haliru Dantoro CFR. Kitoro IV. (Mai Borgu), The Emir of Borgu Kingdom, Niger State during a tour of the various categories of cars on display, stated that the Lagos Motor Show has made history by bringing back memories of classic and vintage cars.
He noted that the Lagos Motor Show is part of the strategy to unite Nigerians in its present economic challenges.
“Nigeria as a country needs total commitment of its citizens to make the country a better place because the government alone cannot do it. What the country needs is collective responsibility of all Nigerians both at home and abroad,” he said.
He added that there is no need for public demonstrations as seen in some parts of the country recently.
Also speaking at the event, a car enthusiast, Olu Okeowo said just as the annual Chicago Motor Show and the Munich Auto Show, the Lagos Motor Show should be the dream of all car lovers in the Nigerian motoring community.
“For me, a car speaks about the personality of an individual. Today we are seeing the collection of cars preserved by car collectors and it is indeed great to see old and vintage cars on display,” he said.
