Sokoto State Governor, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal has said that with the inauguration of maiden Nigeria electric car birthed by Sokoto-born Jelani Aliyu, a cultural revolution is in the offing that will affect the lifestyles and life chances of Nigerians.
He made this observation on Friday when he received the first electric car assembled in Nigeria by the Jelani-led National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) at the Government House, Sokoto on Friday.
The car, being part of items on exhibition at the ongoing National Trade Fair for Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States holding in Sokoto, was presented to him
Jelani, an erstwhile America’s General Motors proud designer of 2004 Pontiac G6 and 2010 Chevrolet Volt, is currently the Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC).
At the presentation Friday, Tambuwal said: “As global scientific achievements push towards zero use of fossil oil, the country is going to have many similar technological breakthroughs.
“The electric car will 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.”
He, therefore, urged 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 government economy into the future.
Enumerating some economic potentials of the state, Tambuwal emphasised the availability of solid minerals and agricultural prospects, both of which if boosted could support the local and national economy.
He, also, appealed to the federal government to pay more attention to these sectors as 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.
Tambuwal, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, said it was the first time in his life that he drove an electric car.
He commended the initiative of the NADDC for its 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, he said that the state government would do everything humanly possible to support whatever he is involved in for the betterment of humanity.
The governor equally commended the federal government of Nigeria for supporting him and ensuring that the country was not left behind in giant developmental innovations in car manufacturing and several other undertakings.
