He urged other universities in the country to emulate UNN desire in given serious attention to issues concerning innovations and technology in order to move the country to a greater height.

“NADDC on February 6, 2019, invited UNN, University of Lagos, Usuman Danfodo University and Metrological Institute and urged them to prepare a paper design on how to produce an electric car in the country.

“The council is happy that UNN is the first to prepare a paper design and produced an electric car that has been unveiled and tests run in the university.

“We urge other universities and higher institutions in the country to emulate innovation and technology spirit of UNN,” he said.

The DG who was represented by Mr David Oyetunji who is Director Finance and Account in NDDC said, improving on automobile industry in the country would help create more employment as well as a reduced huge amount of money used in importing cars into the country.

 

“Improvement in the automobile industry will create more employment as well as reduce a huge amount of money used in importing cars into the country.

NDDC commended UNN who recently produced the first gasification plant that used organic waste to generate electricity and today the same university is unveiling the first electric built car in the country”, he said.

In a remark, Prof Charles Igwe, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN who was excited with happiness said his administration would continue to give innovation and technology the highest attention in order to move the university forward.

Igwe expressed appreciation to the immediate past vice-chancellor Prof Benjamin Ozumba whom he said laid the foundation of innovation, technology as well as through hard work made UNN the number one university in the country.

“I commend the engineering faculty for making the university proud as well as naming the car after Ozumba who ignited the fire of innovation and technology in the university.

“I also commend NDDC for its encouragement as well as giving UNN a chance to show its potential”, he said.

Speaking, Ozumber said he was overwhelmed when he received an invitation to come and witness the unveiling of the electric car which was initiated by his administration,

“When I came on board I said we need innovation and technology to be on par with China, US, Sweden and other developed countries of the world.

“That was why I provided the resources and encouragement for innovations and technology because I believe that is one of the ways we can improve our country’s economy.

“it is my desire to improve the economy of UNN, the economy of Nigeria as well as increase the country foreign exchange,” he said.

Earlier Mr Ozoemena Ani, from faculty of engineering who was the coordinator of UNN Metetronic group led the team that produced the Lion Electric Car said the car was produced with 80 per cent local content materials.

Ani said the car could be charged in any electric socket and when fully charged would go the distance of 30 kilometres.

“We used 80 per cent local material content in building this electric car

“it cost us N800,000 to produce the car.

“When the car is fully charged it will go up to 30 kilometres before it can be recharged, “he said.

Vanguard reports that highlight of the occasion was driving the electric car round UNN campus which attracted many staff and students