December 03, (THEWILL) – PAN Nigeria Limited, the premier vehicle assembly plant in Nigeria has clinched the ‘Most Resilient Auto Company in Nigeria at the Nigeria Automotive Journalist (NAJA) Awards 2021, which took place at Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The Award was received by General Manager, Planning and Strategy, PAN Nigeria, Mr Bawo Omagbitse and Group Head, Corporate Services Abdulkadir Yinusa in a colorful and well attended event by stakeholders of Nigerian Auto Industry.
PAN was established in 1972, and of all the auto plants set up in the 1970s only PAN has remained resilient and operational till today.
The auto company has since evolved from a single brand assembly plant into a multi brand, to include the production of Sedans, Higer 16 and 19-Seater Buses, light vans, Higer ambulances, and Sports Utility Vehicles across three brands, with a platform for local content development programs.
In addition, the company is currently in discussions with other OEMs as well.
As an industry leader, the auto company has initiated lots of projects geared toward empowering both its staff, trainees and other members of and the society.
One of such initiative is the PAN Learning Centre, which is the hub of Skills Acquisition Centre of the Automotive Industry in Nigeria. The Centre runs specialised training programmes in Routine Vehicle Maintenance, Advanced Automotive Diagnosis, Automotive Tyre Service and Repair, Automotive Air Conditioning, Panel Beating, Spray Painting, Welding and Fabrication and Computer Hardware Maintenance and Repair, Gas Conversion of vehicles.
The Centre is accredited by City and Guilds of London Institute UK, as well being accredited to run a National Innovation Diploma in Computer Software Engineering, Computer Hardware.
This training initiative created by PAN has helped in bridging the skill gap in the auto industry with over 900 annual turn out of trainees sponsored by Kaduna Refinery & Petrochemical Company (KRPC), North East Development Commission (NEDC), United Nation Development Program (UNDP), Lady Mechanic Initiative (LMI), Federal Government in training of Ex-militants, Kano State Government, Nigeria Customs Services, Nigeria Immigration Services, Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) through their Technical Skills Development Programme (TSDP),
Recall that, this is not the first time PAN is winning NAJA awards. Most notably is the “Car of The Year” Award won by the Peugeot 301 in the 2018 edition of the awards.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
