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Ford Motor Company has donated three vehicles – a Ranger, an Everest and a Figo to the Coscharis’ CG Eko LLP Automobile Training Centre in Ikeja, Lagos.
This is a continuation of Ford’s commitment to developing Nigeria’s automotive industry. Ford is unswerving in its efforts to reduce the skills gap in Nigeria by training technicians to become experts in the automotive industry. Automotive technicians in Nigeria must be trained to compete globally.
The CG-Eko LLP Training Centre in Lagos recently took delivery of a 2.5-litre Ranger in four-wheel drive double cab configuration along with a 3.2-litre Everest SUV and 1.5-litre Figo hatchback. Ford had donated an EcoSport to the training centre in March 2015 and two Rangers were handed over in April 2016. The donated vehicles are used for demonstration and practical technical training.
Skilled automotive technicians are a key component for Nigeria to move forward as a competitive automotive country in Africa. It is anticipated that as many as 600 technicians will be trained on these vehicles.
The recently donated vehicles incorporate many of the latest features, making them vital links in introducing the technicians to this new technology. The training includes theoretical instruction and exercises in the classroom as well as practical training in the workshop which educates students on the basic features of automotive transmissions, brake and suspension system analysis and basic systems testing and analysis among other activities.
The previous vehicles donated by Ford – two Rangers and an EcoSport – have benefited many technicians already by supporting the training programme, providing physical Ford vehicles that the trainees can take apart and put back together again, thereby leading to a technically skilled workforce that is more proficient and productive.
The Training Manager at CG-Eko LLP,Sunday Tanimowo, is enthusiastic about the benefits that will accrue from the donation of additional vehicles for use at the training centre.
“We are very grateful to Ford for donating these vehicles to the centre. It’s important that organisations such as Ford continue to support the training of technicians in Nigeria by providing them with the latest models. Our aim is to help grow Nigeria’s overall automotive industry by providing skilled technicians that can compete globally,” he said.
On his part, the Regional Manager, Sales, Marketing, FCSD, Sub Sahara Africa, Rob Johnston, said Nigeria is a vital market in Ford’s global operations and Ford remains more committed than ever to the Nigerian automotive market.
“Coscharis is a great partner for Ford because they share our passion for the industry. We are also keen to educate and empower tomorrow’s technicians,” he explained.
Coscharis Group General Manager Marketing and Corporate Communications, Abiona Babarinde, said: “We are thankful that Ford believes in our mission and vision. We will continue to work hand in hand with Ford to develop the automotive industry in Nigeria.”
