Oando Clean Energy Limited has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (referred to as LAMATA), the Lagos State Government agency tasked with planning, implementing, regulating and franchising sustainable integrated public transport in Lagos.

The MoU establishes a partnership between OCEL and Lagos State in her journey to becoming a sustainable city via the rollout of electric mass transit buses, supporting charging infrastructure and service centres (EV Infrastructure Ecosystem).

The statement obtained from the NGX noted that with over 25 million residents, Lagos is the most populous city in Africa and among the top ten of the world’s fastest-growing megacities.

Speaking at the MoU signing ceremony, Commissioner for Transportation, Lagos State, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde said the MoU represented the State Government’s commitment to cutting greenhouse gases by replacing them with cleaner sources of energy.

Oladeinde said, “With an understanding that transportation is a key emitter of greenhouse gases in Nigeria, we developed a strategy to cut greenhouse gases by 50%. A key component of this strategy was identifying and developing a more robust mass transit system for Lagos that would include rail and waterways amongst others. Using electricity to power mass transit is a step in the right direction, and from there we would gradually transit to private cars.

“This is just the beginning, there is still a lot more to come on stream. I commend LAMATA and Oando on this MoU signing, and both parties can be rest assured that they have my full backing to ensure success,” he added.

Commenting on the MoU signing, the Managing Director, LAMATA, Engr. Abimbola Akinajo said: “We began this journey late last year, and for us, this has been a rapid development. It speaks to the energy and zeal of both organizations, and that is commendable. Oando Clean Energy came to us with a comprehensive solution that went beyond electric mass transit buses to include supporting infrastructure, and this was key for us, as the full remit of an EV support ecosystem is the only way to achieve success.

“This initiative will not only accelerate the Government’s transportation agenda, but also positively impact the health of Lagosians and the environment. The magnitude of its impact is far-reaching, and when you start to look at it as more than a transport initiative, you will see how laudable a project it is. The Oando brand comes with know-how and experience, and we are relying on this to successfully move from MoU signing to actual implementation that will in the medium to long term benefit over 22 million Lagos commuters. We look forward to a very robust and fruitful partnership.”

In his response, the Chairman, Oando Clean Energy, Adewale Tinubu, who was represented at the MoU signing by Dr. Ainojie ‘Alex’ Irune said: “Oando Clean Energy was born out of a need to curate the best energy mix to propel Nigeria and indeed Africa, to its full potential.

As a company, Oando has always championed Public-Private Partnerships as fundamental to Nigeria’s industrialization. Through the signing of this MoU, we are revolutionizing the landscape of mobility by pioneering e-mobility in Lagos. Furthermore, we remain dedicated to achieving our national commitment to net-zero by 2060, ending energy deficiencies and further propelling the country to an industrialized phase through decentralized and sustainable energy systems.

We are excited to be embarking on this journey with Lagos State and must commend their foresight and willingness to forge a template for others to follow. It’s easy to be perturbed by the perceived challenges that come with the mega-city status tag, but by taking this bold step, Lagos is showing the continent what is indeed possible and giving other cities the impetus to redefine today how to build a public transport system for the future.”

Over the last decade, the number of vehicles on Lagos roads has quadrupled, yet studies suggest that Lagos could become the world’s most populated city by 2100 with as many as 100 million residents; and as the city grows, so will the number of vehicles.

This upward trajectory in vehicle numbers poses a significant challenge as transportation has been identified as the key contributing sector at circa 23% to 30% in annual CO2 emissions.

Against this backdrop, the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between LAMATA and OCEL will enable the successful fulfilment of the objectives of the Lagos State Government through the deployment of an EV Infrastructure Ecosystem towards the attainment of a sustainable road transport system in the State.

Furthermore, this initiative will bridge the existing gap in available mass transit buses for the increasing number of Lagos commuters.

The laudable Economic strides of the Administration of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR gained momentum at the Grand Opening of the flagship showroom of Oraimo Mobile Technologies Experience Centre called THE GREEN WORLD at Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja on Sunday, 15^th of May, 2022.

Oraimo Mobile Technologies is the leading manufacturer of High Tech Smart Phones Accessories in Africa, and the company has conspicuously dominated the Nigerian market regarded as the largest in Africa. While welcoming various dignitaries who graced the occasion, the Managing Director of Oraimo Mobile Technologies, Mr. Chidi Okonkwo, emphasized the commitment of the company to first rate products that are not just durable but affordable for all Nigerians. He emphasized that Nigeria has come of age with a teeming population of Tech savvy young professionals and educated youth dominated population that can accommodate the siting of the largest Mobile Technologies Production factory in Africa.

Among the dignitaries that attended the occasion are Mr. Emeka Offor, Acting Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC); the team of the Corp Marshal of the Federal Roads Safety Corps, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi; Nigeria Foreign Investors Forum led by Mr. Coker Yu-Du as well as friends and partners of Mr. Olusegun Adebayo who is the Promoter of the Flagship Showroom.

While responding, the Acting Executive Secretary of NIPC, Mr. Emeka Offor, commended the laudable contribution of Oraimo Mobile Technologies to Nigeria’s Economic Growth and Human Capital Development through direct foreign investments which has led to massive job creation. He further affirmed the commitment of the Federal Government of Nigeria to sustained reviews and implementation of sound Corporate and Financial Acts that will keep Nigeria as the Investment Hub of Choice in Africa.

Furthermore, he stated that the Administration of His Excellency, President Mohammadu Buhari, GCFR has provided the enabling environment for Investors around the world to thrive in Nigeria, and by implications, the NIPC is ready to support Oraimo Mobile Technologies to site their Production Factories in Nigeria and take advantage of the windows of opportunity that abound as incentives from NIPC. While boasting about the readiness of Nigeria to host oraimo factory, he said, “it is high time we stopped the importation of commodities into Nigeria. The time has come for production to be predominant in Nigeria, and from here, we will export to other African nations and the entire world. This is the aspiration of President Mohammadu Buhari, GCFR and we will give it every support required.

It was an amazement that the entrance of the showroom was completely blocked by hundreds of Loyalty Customers who thronged to Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja to await the opening of the Flagship Showroom. The crowd were entertained by Performances from the sensational Pheelz who thrilled everyone with the hit-song Finesse as well as the Prodigy Saxophonist, Temilayo Abodunrin, a talented teenager who showcased mastery as she played several songs with precise rendition. Several gifts such as Power Banks, Air Pods, Wireless Speakers, Smart Watches, Phone Chargers and a long list of items were given away to customers who indeed had a memorable experience.

Professionals in the engineering field have been advised to up their game by proffering solutions to the many challenges facing society including its housing deficits.

Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, gave the advice at the 29th Founders’ Day Celebration of the Ikeja, Lagos Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and the commissioning of the Engineering Resource Centre named in his honour, held at Ralph Alabi Engineering Centre, Ogba, Lagos, on Monday, January 31, 2022.

“I will urge engineers, in spite of the giant strides they have made, not to relent in their efforts at human development and progress in order to live up to the billing as merchants of applied knowledge. The best research and innovations will still take engineers to convert to reality.

“One major challenge of an urban centre like Lagos is housing shortage. According to the latest estimate, Lagos has 2.5 million housing deficits. This creates other problems of health, the environment and security.

“The overcrowding and high population density in some areas is a ticking time bomb in epidemics and pandemics of the future. Engineers should begin to design and construct low-cost houses that use less concrete and blocks and can be produced at very fast rate in order to decongest and restore sanity to these areas,” the Minister stated.

Speaking further on the role of professionals in setting minimum standards for development in the country, Ogbeni Aregbesola stated that professional bodies should put themselves in the position to ensure that the government is getting value for money on projects and that the public feel their impact on the way government conducts its business, so they can gain the respect and admiration of the public.

Aregbesola Makes Case For Innovative Solutions To Nigeria’s Housing Deficit

“More than anything, engineers and professionals in general, should re-horn their sense of role and responsibility to the society in a developing economy like ours. On roads, for instance, engineers and other professionals should come up on an annual basis the requirements and the cost of constructing different categories of roads in the different regions of the country.

“This will prevent just anyone from coming up with arbitrary figures that aid corruption and deplete public resources. Such template should be available on any public works. We need to entrench a culture of government officials and contractors being conscious that they are being watched and scrutinised and that they will be held accountable.

“Unless these professional bodies put themselves in the position to ensure that the government is getting value for money on projects and the public feel their impact on the way government conducts its business, they will find it difficult to gain the respect and admiration of the public and will be seen as part of the scams going on. In the developed world, it is these professional bodies that keep society in check and prevent people from going astray. Nigerian engineers therefore should be involved in the entrenchment of values – of works and service to the community,” Ogbeni Aregbesola stated.

The Minister also challenged engineers in the country to come up with creative ideas to provide energy and reduce the cost of electricity and petroleum products in the country.

“One other major national challenge is energy – for homes, vehicles and industrial uses. We have had enough talk on the energy deficits and challenges. Engineers should now take the lead. There should be new approaches to providing cheaper and affordable alternative sources of energy and conversion of our machines, vehicles and appliances to function with these innovations.

“When I visited Egypt some 10 to 15 years ago, I found out that most of their taxis were very old vehicles, none of them caused toxic pollution on the roads. That society as at then had perfected the use of gas to power their vehicles with the use of simple engineering equipment.

“I am therefore using this occasion to challenge our engineers to come up with very creative ideas to help the country reduce its cost of subsidising petroleum for Nigerians,” the Minister requested.

Speaking at the event, chairman of the occasion, Engr. T.S.G. Wudil, who is also the President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, celebrated and appreciated the Ikeja Branch of the NSE for the visionary project, stating that when last he visited in 2015, many meaningful projects and contributions have been made to the Society by the branch.

“Since I came here in 2015, the branch has continued to grow and contribute to the professional development of Engineers in Nigeria.

“I can promise you that the national body will continue to support the growth of the branches and especially the Ikeja branch for its commitment to ensuring the professional development of her members,” the President stated.

Also speaking at the event, the special guest of honour, Dr. Taiwo Olayinka Afolabi, stated that he supported the project to ensure the growth of the Engineering profession.

“I personally supported this project to help bridge the gap between the classroom and the practising field. I’m sure with the opening of this building, the Rauf Aregbesola Engineering Resource Centre, the centre will help advance the cause of the Engineering profession in Nigeria,” Dr. Afolabi stated.

Also at the event were: former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Lasun Yusuf; Chairman of the SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi; former Commissioner for Education in the State of Osun, Engr. Kola-Omotunde Young; Special Adviser to the Minister, Hon. Bola Ilori; Deputy President of the NSE, Engr. Mrs. Oguntala, FNSE; Chairman of the Nigeria Mechanical Engineers, Engr. Funmi Akingbagbohun, FNSE; the oldest living Past Chairman of the NSE, Ikeja Branch, Engr Francis Oguamanam, current Ikeja Branch Chairman of the NSE and Chief Host, Engr. Olutosin Ogunmola amongst other special guests.