The inauguration of the first Nigeria electric car by Sokoto-born Jelani Aliyu, has portended a cultural revolution that would affect the lifestyles and life chances of Nigerians, Sokoto governor Aminu Tambuwal has said.
He made the observation when he received the first electric car assembled in Nigeria by the Jelani-led National Automotive Design and Development Council, NADDC, at Government House on Friday.
The car, on exhibition at the ongoing National Trade Fair for Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states holding in Sokoto, was presented to Tambuwal by the 55 year old Jelani, the America’s General Motors designer of 2004 Pontiac G6 and 2010 Chevrolet Volt, who is currently the Director-General of NADDC.
According to Tambuwal, “as global scientific achievements push towards zero use of fossil oil, the country is going to have many similar technological breakthroughs like the electric car, that would revolutionize the way homes are made and kept, roads are built and managed, alongside the evolution of many other material culture, thus generally affecting the people’s lives.”
The governor appealed to the federal government to take appropriate measures towards exploiting the potentials of Sokoto state in order to support the diversification of the state and federal governments’ economy into the future.
Tambuwal enumerated some economic potentials of the state, while emphasizing the availability of solid minerals and agricultural prospects, both of which if boosted, could support the local and national economy.
He said appealed to the federal government “to pay more attention to these sectors because much of the world is moving away from dependence on hydrocarbons for their economic sustenance and the drive to meet the economic needs of respective countries.”
The governor who said it was the first time in his life that he drove an electric car, commended the initiative of the NADDC and thanked the Director General for the Council’s participation in the trade fair, saying that its presence will attract a lot of investment to the state and the sub-region.
Tambuwal, taking cue from Jelani’s brief on the new car described it and its technology as interesting and environment-friendly, adding that it is also cheaper in terms of maintenance.
While giving kudos to Jelani for being a great ambassador of the state at home and abroad, the governor assured that the state government would do everything possible to support whatever it is the technologist will be involved in, for the betterment of humanity.
The governor equally commended the federal government of Nigeria for supporting him and ensuring that the country is not left behind in giant developmental innovations in car manufacturing and several other undertakings.
