By Theodore Opara

_AS preparations for the hosting of the 16th edition of the Abuja International auto show gets to an advanced stage, the platform of the annual event has been described as a litmus test to the shape of things in the industry with the current paradigm shift in the sector.

According to Ifeanyichukwu Agwu, the Chairman of the Organising Committee of the event; “the automobile is undoubtedly the primary yardstick of success for any auto exhibition. This means auto enterprises showcasing at any exhibition must ensure visibility and wholeness/completeness, and not leaving anything to chance”. 

“The reinvigorated auto policy no doubt caught some stakeholders unprepared, confused and some highly prepared. These various states have caught some on the wrong foot and they needed to stay afloat and the ready ones; all need to show that they are all ready to play big in the new era”, he said. It is this unique opportunity that the 16th Abuja International Motor Fair has been packaged to provide to all the Stakeholders.

Therefore showcasing amongst others at the event will ultimately show the state of preparedness or otherwise of participants. This does not apply only to the automobile companies but equally to those which services and or products complement the automobiles because the incidence of the policy falls on all of them”, Mr. Agwu further stated

The BKG boss in a chat with Motoring Journalists, in Lagos on the level of preparedness by the organizing committee and other stakeholders, disclosed that preparations are in top gear, stressing that the 16th edition is loaded with a whole lot of content that is designed to showcase the strength and resilience of the participants as well as create an educative and fun filled atmosphere for all those that will be visiting the show.

With the theme this year, which promotes the culture and attitude of self- belief and self –confidence, the Organising Committee head also noted that aside the known strong brands that will be at the show, a few others will be debuting, therefore creating an ambience for the debutants to rub shoulders with the big boys, which will further expose the debutants to the workings of the industry.

He also said that the build up to this event further shows the quality of an international A-level automobile exhibition in many aspects. “One of which is, the high technical content of exhibits which will represent the latest trend and the most advanced level of the world. Therefore, this exhibition plays a real role of weather vane in the Nigeria and West Africa automobile market.