By Adaobi Rhema Oguejiofor
Rrare opportunity to see the evolution of car technology is what the 2024 Lagos Motor show can be described as. Automotive enthusiasts, car owners, salesmen, auto-mechanics, fleet maintenance teams as well as vendors, among others, had the opportunity to witness this display of the evolution of cars that dominated this year’s motor show.
The Lagos Motor Show is a total exhibition of all kinds of cars. The grand event took place from 16th February to 17th February, 2024, at the popular Tafawa Balawa Square in Lagos. There was a display of classic, vintage and electric cars, including electric-powered motorbikes and vehicles.
The chief promoter of the Lagos Motor Show, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, while speaking at the event, said that the inspiration behind the show is his passion for motoring, which began right from his early days as a young undergraduate.
According to him, as a young undergraduate many years ago, he wrote articles about the future of motoring in Nigeria and presently the show is making history by displaying the country’s passion for motoring because Nigerians are a people with history.
In display at the Lagos Motor Show were cars manufactured before Nigeria’s Independence in 1960, others that were manufactured after Independence and cars currently available, as well as those of the future. It was also a display of electric cars.
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, played significant roles in the success of the maiden edition of the Lagos Motor Show.
The event created the platform for 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.
His Royal Highness, The Emir of Borgu Kingdom, Niger State, Barrister Mohammed Sanni Haliru Dantoro Kitoro IV, was in attendance as the Royal Father of the event. During a tour of the various categories of cars on display, he 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, adding that there is no need for public demonstrations as seen in some parts of the country recently.
In his words, “Nigeria 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.”
A car enthusiast, Olu Okeowo, who also spoke at the event, said that 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. According to him, 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.