Soludo restates pledge to use car produced locally to encourage manufacturing
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Charles Soludo has reiterated his plan to ride Innoson as his official car from the day he assumes office as Anambra Governor on March 17 in order to encourage the growth of local industry.
He says him wearing the local fabrics called Akwete is also a deliberate choice to help lift indigenous creativity.
The professor of economics will become the second former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor to become a state Governor, after Clement Isong was Cross River helmsman from 1979 to 1983 sequel his stint at the CBN from 1967 to 1975.
Innoson Motors based in Nnewi, Anambra State is an automaker dedicated to developing economical and long-lasting vehicles to reduce importation of used cars into the African continent.
Despite Nigeria’s huge potential, its growth is hindered by overdependence on imports, wasting billions of dollars yearly on things that can be produced locally.
Soludo says he will step in as a Governor to help stop the waste, one state at a time.
He disclosed his patronage of Innoson at a meeting with members of his transition committee, saying it demonstrates his commitment to supporting Nigerian-made products and the manufacturing sector.
His gesture is the second fillip for Innoson Motors in two months.
Innoson Group Chairman Innocent Chukwuma disclosed on Arise Television last November that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) had contracted the company to produce CNG cars, and it is also ready to produce electric cars.
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Keeping campaign promises
Soludo reassured the public that he will keep his campaign promise to use vehicles made by Innoson if elected Governor, per reporting by Nairametrics.
“Igboland is one and we must protect it. We want to bring back the zeal of patronising our own.
“I have said it even during campaigns, and I meant it, that if I win, the official car of the Governor of Anambra State will be Innoson Motors,” he said.
He added that him wearing Akwete is not a coincidence but done on purpose to support local firms.
“My Akwete dress is not just a dress, it’s a statement. I want to make a statement with it. You know, in the entire South East, this is the only textile thing alive, and it’s handmade, by the women of Akwaete in Abia State.
“The dresses I will wear are those made in our place here. We must protect the things that are made in our place. Something is about to happen in Igboland, and together we will get there.”
