NIGERIA – Honda Manufacturing Nigeria Limited celebrated its 40th anniversary of doing business in the country with the roll-out of a one millionth motorcycle from its Ota factory in the Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The colourful event was hosted by Takahiro Hachigo, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Honda Motor Company, and was graced with high profile delegations from both the Japanese and Nigerian governments.

Takayuki Shinozawa, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Japan in Nigeria who was leading the Japanese government delegation at the event, said it was heart-warming for the company to have been in business in Nigeria for the 40 years.

“I’m particularly happy about the popularity of the Honda brand in Nigeria as demonstrated by the number of people I see using Honda’s products across the country, ” said Shinozawa.

President and Chief Executive Officer of Honda Motor Company, Takahiro Hachigo, in his message congratulated Honda Nigeria for the feat it had achieved in the country.

He particularly described the success of the ACE 110 motorbike in Nigeria as cheering as this had contributed immensely to the achievement of one million motorbikes from the Ota factory.

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, said he was impressed with the commitment of the auto firm and its business ethos, noting that it would make it easy to attain the industrial revolution agenda of his administration for the state.

Represented at the event by his deputy, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the governor said his administration’s policies were geared towards improving the prosperity of hardworking individuals and companies.

He said that the state government would improve the infrastructural facilities in the state including road network to help industries operate efficiently.

The Managing Director of the company, Katsuhiro Murooka, said Honda had created hundreds of jobs since inception.

He said the manufacturing company would continue to provide value through its products and services and enhance the living standard of Nigerians as well as boost the national economy.